Interesting thread about the WM Relays. The issue of summer vegetation will, I suspect, only get worse as winters get milder. Obviously the effect is patchy, but generally the availability of decent terrain in the summer does take a bit of plunge. Yet orienteers do want to keep up a year round programme.
Is this where sprint racing can start to play a real role in the British orienteering calendar? it was recently suggested on my club's email network that sprint racing could replace the standard midweek informal event round increasingly nettle-infested, bramble-bound areas. Yet there are plenty of park and similar areas which don't suffer from these problems which are well under-exploited - if anything the summer growth actually enhances these areas, helping to reduce visibility, whilst not impeding runnability. So why not go the whole hog, and aim to make these the centre of much of the summer season?
I'd much rather enjoy a summer of sprint-type races round nice runnable parks (with some events in 'standard' terrain) and then getting back into more conventional O-areas in the other season. Keeps those areas fresher too. Also helps to raise the sport's profile at a time of year when it's probably most attractive to newcomers.
Horses for courses (or courses for seasons).
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sounds good, and sensible - the vegetation can really ruin a woodland area. Also, in the warmer weather people may not want to run a 6-10k race but would happily do a 2-3k sprint. I know of some clubs that do a Park Race series at this time of year, and I recall someone mentioning a sprint/park race series around the UK a bit like the PWT although with people not necessarily in the country maybe that would be best left to another time of year.
and the fact that it's in the public eye, especially in good weather - those who were at Battersea saw how many people were out in the park that day - I think it can only be a good thing.
and the fact that it's in the public eye, especially in good weather - those who were at Battersea saw how many people were out in the park that day - I think it can only be a good thing.
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distracted - addict
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I remeber when foot & mouth was on we had loads of street races on. The maps were just traces of OS maps with little additions, but it still made for good racing when we couldnt get in the trees.
There are plenty of good places for sprint races, indeed anytown or city with a descent road network can be used. They don't take too much effort to map, OS do the hard work so you don't have to. Sheffield has a sprint map, york, edinburgh is being done, and i'm sure there are loads of other places.
There are plenty of good places for sprint races, indeed anytown or city with a descent road network can be used. They don't take too much effort to map, OS do the hard work so you don't have to. Sheffield has a sprint map, york, edinburgh is being done, and i'm sure there are loads of other places.
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mharky - team nopesport
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Re: Horses for courses (or courses for seasons).
awk wrote:I'd much rather enjoy a summer of sprint-type races round nice runnable parks
Other options are the grounds of schools and universities.
Recently there has been a project in Dorset to produce orienteering maps of each of the schools. Some of these offer great opportunities for sprint/park-o.
WIM are putting a sprint-o event on at Lytchett Minster School next Friday evening - details are here.
Last edited by Simon on Sat Jun 18, 2005 1:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Simon - brown
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You're not alone in your thinking:
http://www.southyorkshireorienteers.org ... kraces.htm
The first one was good fun - recommended. I think park racing is perfect for local training and SYO have shown how to do it on a simple scale and still make it real orienteering both in enjoyment and public perception. There is a danger a low key park race could reinforce the treasure hunt perspective some people have, but certainly not the case at the first of the SYO ones.
http://www.southyorkshireorienteers.org ... kraces.htm
The first one was good fun - recommended. I think park racing is perfect for local training and SYO have shown how to do it on a simple scale and still make it real orienteering both in enjoyment and public perception. There is a danger a low key park race could reinforce the treasure hunt perspective some people have, but certainly not the case at the first of the SYO ones.
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FatBoy - addict
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yeah my club did the same last year and is again this year. the plan is to combine club training with an informal event for new comers.
"treated as either a park-o series for the experienced orienteer, a come-and-try it for the new comer, or a simple walk in the park for anyone." often the organisers have meade use of permant courses to save themselves work but many others have tried to spice up the courses.
now that the local fell running season is over they are also targetin the local clubs to attract runners wishing to improve navigation skills for the upcoming mountain marathons.
http://www.niorienteering.org.uk/wee/general/series.htm
"treated as either a park-o series for the experienced orienteer, a come-and-try it for the new comer, or a simple walk in the park for anyone." often the organisers have meade use of permant courses to save themselves work but many others have tried to spice up the courses.
now that the local fell running season is over they are also targetin the local clubs to attract runners wishing to improve navigation skills for the upcoming mountain marathons.
http://www.niorienteering.org.uk/wee/general/series.htm
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paddy - blue
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Southdowns also have their usual series of Summer Park/Sprint races
http://www.southdowns-orienteers.org.uk/events.html
http://www.southdowns-orienteers.org.uk/events.html
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BAOC Summer Series
The Military run an excellent Summer Series of Sprint and Park O events every Wednesday afternoon, details on BAOC Event Page. All comers welcome, next event 1 man relay, with 3 legs of 2.4 kms, timings 1300 to 1830 hrs. However I can't guarantee there wont be a bit of undergrowth to contend with but as any good planning team should do at this time of year plan out the worst bits.
These events are very informal you pay your £1 or .50p get to use EMIT, refreshments and sometimes toilets. You get your individual EMIT print out on the day and full results and league update on the club results page usually within a couple of days.
I would be very surprised to find any area and that includes parks that dont have a least some nettle patches. However we aim to make our events as challenging as the areas allows and to keep the interest in Oing going within our community through the summer months.
These events are very informal you pay your £1 or .50p get to use EMIT, refreshments and sometimes toilets. You get your individual EMIT print out on the day and full results and league update on the club results page usually within a couple of days.
I would be very surprised to find any area and that includes parks that dont have a least some nettle patches. However we aim to make our events as challenging as the areas allows and to keep the interest in Oing going within our community through the summer months.
- Jasper
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