Eden Event

[Mrs H]

Just got in from the Eden Project race - a quite unique and extraordinary event....but was anyone else thoroughly confused by the solid black lines at the entrance to the biomes - considering it said in the pre-event briefing that such lines were not to be crossed I slogged up to what appeared to be the only legitimate way in - higher up the side.......only to find a locked fire escape and a bunch of very confused juniors! Nine minutes for a one minute leg. It rather spoiled the experience for me - shame as I don't think anyone could have been looking forward to it more than me

[DJM]

This puzzled me too until I realised that I'd been through the solid black line earlier in the day on my tourist visit, via a sliding door. Clearly the mapper should have drawn the ISSOM crossing point (symbol 525) at entrances to both biomes and then all would have been well ...

What a unique event though, with some mind boggling route choices! It's my first race where a plausible route involved taking an unmarked elevator too, which poses the question of how to show lifts in ISSOM - any suggestions?

[OverShot]

Great event, quite original setting. I used the lift to save my legs. Pitty more planners don't give you the option.

I never spotted the solid thick lines at the doors to the dome until afterwards but agree it was misleading - our first born was more confused than normal and probably one of the kids hanging around the door with Mrs H.

I liked the large scale map on the reverse of the map, nice idea.

[Paul Frost]

I spent a bit of time trying to work out how I was going to get into the Biodome due to the solid black line across the entrance, but eventually went through it.
I know of several others spotted the gap in the black line and went for that, only to find the door locked.
The warning about a timed out section when entering the Link added to the confusion, as I went through it twice before I had the timed out section. I know someone else that was directed to the timed out section when they entered the Link for the first time and so lost time before they realised.
I was never going to be setting any records with my run, and I enjoyed the experience overall, so didn't voice any complaint.
I'm sure that the logistics of putting on the event were considerable and understand that these things happen. So good on Kerno for putting it on, just have another look at the map before the next event.

[lucy]

Probably put these small issues down to overload as the planner and mapper was also one of the planners for JK Day 3. I thought it was a stunning event (my legs didn't) and am proud of the job done my club, during a busy week. Lets hope the eden staff think so too and invite us back. Maybe for a night event!!!

[youngladdie]

I will join everyone else and say a big THANK YOU to the Kerno / Cornwall orienteering members who had the vision to put this on and pulled it off successfully - it really was enjoyable and a highlight of my Cornwall visit.
I had noticed the solid blck lines surrounding the biomes on the display map at registration, and thought the only possible way in was through a fire escape and not to use 'The Link' but this would mean that No access at all was available to the Meditteranean biome (solid black line all round) - I agree a gap, or crossing point should have been put on the main entrances, but it did not affect my enjoyable run. The heat/humidity in the Rainforest was certainly a shock.
From an earlier visit I knew about the lift, and used it, tho dont know if it saved any time but was a nice rest.
I didnt like the last section (on the Oak) tho after the untimed crossing, which was just a straightforward uphill slog to the finish, too much for my legs.... it would have been better to go straight across the site back up the start areas... but overall a fantastic experience.
It shows that a quality event could be planned just about anywhere, and hope we can maybe get back to Alton Towers - I remember an event late 1980's? running past the dinosaurs there, and would be good to run there again - maybe off-season if you can get permission... or similar 'urban' type areas. Maybe a series of Theme-Park-O events?

[mikey]

Here's a link to the map - the postings make more sense with this.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vVNuV4N10is/S ... 00/IMG.jpg

[IanD]

Really enjoyed the experience of running around such a unique area - and the visit to it earlier. I shall certainly be going back, especially now that I have a year-long pass!

As an orienteering race, it was a complete fiasco. I'd already inspected the map in the car park, so I knew where the only legitimate entrance to the 'jungle' biome was. It was a long way round, but the fire exit door did open if pushed hard. And of course, I later went out the same way - and then stood around for ages trying to work out how to get into the second biome. Knowing how the public go in, I eventually jogged down to that door and asked a member of Eden staff if it was OK for orienteers to use it.

I'm still glad I went, but surely someone from KERNO must have looked at the map before the event, and could have put a map correction at the start?!

[DJM]

Surprised that no one's yet commented on the fact that no contours were shown inside the biomes. Given that the tropical biome spans a ground height difference of some 30m, the map should have been full of them!

However, I do concede that they would have made no difference at all to the route choices as you had to gain the same height between controls whichever route you took ...

[Scott]

Full results and splits are now on the KERNO website, along with some organisers' comments which sadly don't make for very happy reading

[Mrs H]

That is a pity - I did see quite a few people running in the olive green and shouted at a few It seems a lot of people don't understand the ISSOM maps yet - or some that should know better think they can get away with it - what can we do about it? Name and shame?

[Paul Frost]

It is sad that some people may have affected the use of the location in the future. If there had been a RouteGadget for the event it would have been interesting to see if people incriminated themselves, as has happened at other events.

But with urban events I am always surprised that we don't hear stories of little old ladies being knocked over by competitors concentrating on their map or just frustrated trying to get past. The Venice race looks particularly susceptible to tourists getting an unexpected swim.

Any reason why no RouteGadget?
I'm happy to try and help if you have problems with the files.
Winsplits would be nice too.

[JennyJ]

I really enjoyed it, but I did see someone cheating at the my very first control (a female vet) and told her so. I am not so sure people are unaware of the rules. If you don't know the rules you shouldn't start the race.

Thanks to Roger, Elsie and Kerno for a great day out!

[Snail]

I think Mrs H has it right - there are still a lot of people who don't understand ISSOM maps. (And that is perhaps more likely at "holiday" events like the JK and Eden.)

For some time to come organisers / planners / controllers of ISSOM events perhaps will need to highlight the differences to ISoM maps more prominently - and in particular the out-of-bounds / not to be crossed symbols.

[mikey]

I think Mrs H has it right - there are still a lot of people who don't understand ISSOM maps. (And that is perhaps more likely at "holiday" events like the JK and Eden.)

For some time to come organisers / planners / controllers of ISSOM events perhaps will need to highlight the differences to ISoM maps more prominently - and in particular the out-of-bounds / not to be crossed symbols.

Looking at the results, I'm not sure the lack of experience excuse holds fire and the map is pretty clear.

ISSOM is not a new phenomena any more and lack of knowledge is no excuse - especially when it involves running over planted areas in a site devoted to growing things.

It sounds more like pig-ignorant cheating to me.