Middle distance leg lengths case study

[Rosine]

I have been reading the various discussions on control picking vs route choice and longer legs in middle distance courses. What are people's thoughts on a course with the following distribution of leg lengths? This is one of the longer courses in a middle distance event (26 legs in ca. 5.5km):

2x just under 100 m
7x between 100-150 m
7x between 150-200 m
3x between 200-250 m
2x between 250-300 m
2x between 300-400 m
2x between 400-500 m
1x around 600 m

More than half the legs are between 100 and 200 m - is that too short? Are there too many legs over 400 m or not enough? Is the longest leg too long or not long enough?

I appreciate this all depends on terrain and route choices. Just assume that longer legs present more route choices, the terrain is reasonably runnable but mainly away from paths, and that longer legs are alternated with shorter ones.

R.

[buzz]

As you say its more to do with the terrain and nature of the legs than the actual leg length or number of controls, but if you have too many controls then you typically focus on only a few of the many challenges in a good orienteering course.

The Middle distance profile is technical. It takes place in a non-urban (mostly forested) environment with an emphasis on detailed navigation and where finding the controls constitute a challenge. It requires constant concentration on map reading with occasional shifts in running direction out from controls. The element of route choice is essential but should not be at the expense of technically demanding orienteering. The route in itself shall involve demanding navigation. The course shall require speed-shifts e.g. with legs through different types of vegetation.
IOF Competition Rules

If we define control picking as a legs where the previous control is the attack point then we are only testing compass, short distance judgement, control visualisation and course management (the mechanics of checking descriptions, punching, etc). Leg length isn't the only factor. Some 100m legs may offer significantly more by way of route choice and navigation and some 200m legs may be just compass and distance judgement.

Longer technical legs are usually going to be more challenging than shorter technical legs in themselves, but including short legs to vary the rhythm and introduce changes of direction can add to the overall challenge.

Take a look at middle distance races from international races, I suspect the majority will have less than 20 controls. I'd be interested to see some stats.

You could also try taking out a few controls and see if the legs become any less technical.

To answer your question, it feels like there are too many 100 - 200m legs and if the terrain permits then a few more 500+ legs would be better.