Orienteering on the BBC

[Scott]

On Saturday morning, apparently: http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/n ... 9yZy51ay8=

[Axel]

It's great to see possibly the best orienteering league in GB in getting a bit of air time on tele. Over 26 wednesday afternoon league events per season Mid Sep to mid may, averaging 250 to 300 competitors every week. 3 courses to choose from A course 8-9 km, B course 5-7 km and usually a couple of novice courses thrown in. Most maps 1:10000 so us olders can get a good run out at a decent distance for once.
Drinks (usually hot and cold), at about 70% of events free biscuits or fruit provided, portoloos and sometimes shower facilities. Ultra Sport turns up regularly as does a burger van. Hey and the best of the lot, you get this for £2.00 a run if you have your own EMIT Card and £3.00 if you don't.

If you live in the south central/west and you have free time on Wed afternoon come and get a true bit of value for your money for once, no rip offs at these events. see details on BAOC website.

[andy]

Over 26 wednesday afternoon league events per season Mid Sep to mid may, averaging 250 to 300 competitors every week.

wow, what a turn out, that's similar to most of our 7-a-year Scottish O League events...

[IanD]

no rip offs at these events

Although the entry fee has doubled over the past year!

[Axel]

Sorry forgot to tell you the League is called Military League South (MLS). Yes, Ian the entry fee did rise by a £1.00 but that was 2 seasons ago, for that you got internet results the same day, EMIT team to do registration, plastic bag thrown in for good measure, no parking fees and thanks to the gods we are usually blessed with good weather. Its still the sports bargain of the year.

As well as the league events we do have a number of championship events that enchance the season to about 32 Wed afternoons. Starting this Wed coming in the New Forest with the Individual Champs, we have relay champs, harris team champs. If thats not enough we are putting on a short course champs and harris team night event over the 15/16 April near Aldershot. To top it all we are remapping Tweseldown Racecourse for the short course champs.

Last but not least on the competitive side we get to go head to head with the likes of Nick B and Sarah R on a regular basis. By the way if you have not been following the events recently all the Military runnings are coming second fiddle to Dave Abrams M18, it will be interesting to see how he gets on in the FCC this year. Anyway if you live in the South with nothing to do on a Wed afternoon, try a bit of car sharing to keep the cost down and enjoy all thats good in life at very little cost.

[SJC]

Hey and the best of the lot, you get this for £2.00 a run.

If only more of our events were government subsidised

[Axel]

In these days of doom and gloom, ever rising cost and increasing tax burden, at least we are getting some enjoyment from the taxes we pay. Oh by the way civilian clubs that regularly run some of our event still charge the same fees (this wed event run by SARUM). Hey if you have time on your hands your most welcome to come along.

[Becks]

Has anyone found it online? I was in the lab when it was on this morning

[Wendles]

You have to go on the BBC News 24 site and sift through this morning's programme. Watch out for the spooky old lady in Mike Bushell's path near the end!

[deebee]

at least we are getting some enjoyment from the taxes we pay.

Don't you mean YOU are getting some enjoyment from the taxes those of us who are working on Wednesday afternoons are paying?

[awk]

Don't you mean YOU are getting some enjoyment from the taxes those of us who are working on Wednesday afternoons are paying?

At least our taxes are being spent directly on something promoting healthy activity. Of course, another way might be for the army to take it internal as military training and not charge anything - meaning even more of our taxes being spent and nobody non-military getting access. Seems a pretty impressive deal to me: army is after also helping promote the sport.

There are far greater things I begrudge my taxes being spent on than this!

[Angry Haggis]

I've stuck it on YouTube for the time being - see here

[drobin]

Watch out for the spooky old lady in Mike Bushell's path near the end!

Excuse me, but that's my 84 year Mother!!!

[drobin]

. . . and she's been spectating for the last 39 years.

[easternmost?]

Today I also got us some Radio publicity. I was on Stuart Maconie's Saturday Afternoon show on Radio 2 to Talk about Night Orienteering. If you are interested you can hear the program via the BBC listen again service at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/radio2_aod.shtml?radio2/r2_maconie it will be available until sturday 23rd. I'm on after about 20 minutes right after the third record (Blur's Country House).