Black course RIP

[Arnold]

(caution: this post contains a pet whinge)

I don't know about other parts of the country, but here in the South it seems the days of proper Black / M21L courses are numbered, which is a shame. By proper Black I don't mean anything extra long, just the usual M21L which the rules define as "one which a Top M21 would win in 67 minutes"

Quick snapshot of recent badge events:
- 3rd Jan DFOK: Black won by Nick Barrable in 65. OK.
- 17th Jan MV: Black cancelled as deemed too risky given lots of snow remaining week before the event. Turns out would have been fine as snow melted. Understand was difficult to predict, but not sure a Black is riskier for a Black runner than a Brown for a Brown runner, etc. (Black was the only one cancelled or shortened)
- 31st Jan BKO: Black won by Joe Mercer in 59. So 15% short of what it should have been. (IMHO fairly predictable as course was 10.8k and previous Concorde Chases typically between 12.5k and 13k). Remainder of courses were equally a bit short.
- 7th Feb GO: No Black course offered. SN in Nov 09 was the same.

I think it's a shame. For starters it makes it difficult to then go onto doing Elite courses when the gap in distance is so big. Also a longer course is just more worthwhile.

But I guess it ultimately comes down to demand and supply. There are few M21s left (typically 10-15 on Black) so organisers (rightly?) think it's a hassle to put on another / a proper course for few punters. This is similar to White on the other side which also often gets cancelled. Though at this rate we'll soon have 3 blue courses and that'll be it...

[NeilC]

SN in Nov 09 was the same.

Ian Nixon won the black there in 64 so not far off?
Your own club's event in Nov was won by Ed Catmur in 66
CHIG's event in Epping in Nov by Jonathan Crickmore in 71

So perhaps not quite so dead in the SE at least

[andy]

I think it's a shame. For starters it makes it difficult to then go onto doing Elite courses when the gap in distance is so big. Also a longer course is just more worthwhile.

Not especially, if you can do well on an orienteering course over 60mins, you can do just as well over 90mins assuming if you've put in the miles (not necessarily while orienteering) in training.

Maybe I'm too used to Scottish areas, but if you have controls out for a brown as well as the rest of the TD5 courses, there is (usually) enough distance out there to make a very good black course, perhaps with a couple of extra controls...

I don't see the problem.

[MIE]

By proper Black I don't mean anything extra long, just the usual M21L which the rules define as "one which a Top M21 would win in 67 minutes"

Quick snapshot of recent badge events:
- 3rd Jan DFOK: Black won by Nick Barrable in 65. OK.
- 17th Jan MV: Black cancelled as deemed too risky given lots of snow remaining week before the event. Turns out would have been fine as snow melted. Understand was difficult to predict, but not sure a Black is riskier for a Black runner than a Brown for a Brown runner, etc. (Black was the only one cancelled or shortened)
- 31st Jan BKO: Black won by Joe Mercer in 59. So 15% short of what it should have been. (IMHO fairly predictable as course was 10.8k and previous Concorde Chases typically between 12.5k and 13k). Remainder of courses were equally a bit short.
- 7th Feb GO: No Black course offered. SN in Nov 09 was the same.

28th Dec 2009 MV at St. Leonards GG in 67mins

--- and what are these "Badge Event "thingies
(See 4 levels )

[mappingmum]

Why don't you try brown followed by blue/green then?

Or brown -> start -> first half of brown again?

Or get a late start, run brown then collect in all in non-brown controls.

[Roger]

TVOC Chiltern Challenge (14 February): black 12.6km 250m climb.

Nettlebed Woods, near Henley-on-Thames. The mapped area has been tripled; short brown, brown and especially black courses get to see the best of the extension.

On-line entries close at midnight on the 9th February. Late-entry surcharge applies for entries on the 8th or 9th.

Roger
Planner

[Angry Haggis]

Nettlebed Woods

Now that's an area I would avoid in the summer months.

[EddieH]

Just what I was thinking AngryHarris.

Just like Bogendreip, Nettlebed Woods doesn't seem the most encouraging name.

Perhaps we have a new thread here - what is the most discouraging map name?

[Gnitworp]

JK Relays 1979: Bramble Brook?

[Scott]

To go with Nettlebed Woods, TVOC also have Furze Brake.

[Mrs H]

We have Breakneck Bank

[RJ]

Jaws

(part of Borrowdale)

[Roger]

To go with Nettlebed Woods, TVOC also have Furze Brake.

...but to redress the balance, Brill Common!

Oh, and not only are there presently no nettles visible in the Chiltern Challenge woods, but the patches of bracken look as if they've been Brylcreemed.

[graeme]

and Burnwood. Which is what TVOC should have done...
although according to wikipedia it was nice when first mapped in the twelfth century

[DaveK]

don't know about other parts of the country, but here in the South it seems the days of proper Black / M21L courses are numbered, which is a shame. By proper Black I don't mean anything extra long, just the usual M21L which the rules define as "one which a Top M21 would win in 67 minutes"

Well, for the Sunday at the 'Harvester weekend', (East Sussex), on 9th May, there will be a Black course to challenge you (and others who like a long run in excellent terrain) Arnold. A date for your diary.