After far too much deliberation, we are delighted to finally announce the twelve races that will make up the 2011 Nopesport Urban League, the UK's urban orienteering league spanning from Lossiemouth in the north of Scotland to Guildford in the south of England .
The league of course kicks off in Edinburgh this weekend, with what has become our traditional league opener and one of the most highly regarded races of the season, followed by another trip north to Glasgow in April for a race around Erskine which hosted one of last year's trickiest sprint races for the World Championships selection.
Filey promises orienteering in a challenging seaside resort, a contrast to the city streets of Nottingham and then another trip to the seaside and Lossiemouth on the Moray coast which hosted a well regarded Scottish sprint championships last year.
A summer break before a quick sucession of races, Guildford marks our furthest south race while the following weekend urban favourites Sheffield and Lincoln once again offer a fantastic double header.
Cambridge returns to the calendar in October, followed by another Yorkshire sortie to Skipton, then two trips to the North West in November where Chester and Penrith bring the season to a close.
League classes will remain as in 2010, with men’s and women’s classes for Junior (16-), Senior, Vet (40+) & Supervet (55+) [We'll introduce Superduperultra Vets in 2012] .while it'll be your best six scores from twelve to count.
1. Edinburgh - 22/01/11 (Followed by Burns Ceilidh & Arthurs Seat event on 23/01/11)
2. Glasgow/Erskine - 02/04/11 (Followed by SOL near Stirling on 03/04/11)
3. Filey - 07/05/11 (Followed by Barns Cliff Event on 08/05/11)
4. Nottingham - 05/06/11
5. Lossiemouth - 11/06/11 (Followed by event at Culbin on 12/06/11)
6. Guildford - 27/08/11 (Followed by Long O on 28/08/11)
7. Sheffield - 03/09/11
8. Lincoln - 04/09/11
9. Cambridge - 22/10/11
10. Skipton - 30/10/11 (Preceded by Leeds University Race & night race on 29/10/11)
11. Chester - 13/11/11
12. Penrith - 26/11/11 (Followed by Tim Watkins Trophy on the 27/11/11)
Links to events and a nice google map in the news article.
edit: ps please keep this thread for discussion around these races & this year's league, use the other thread to discuss other urban races and future developments (age classes etc).
Nopesport Urban League 2011
Moderators: [nope] cartel, team nopesport
Nopesport Urban League 2011
“Success is 99% failure� -- Soichiro Honda
-
brooner - [nope] cartel
- Posts: 3931
- Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2003 1:46 pm
- Location: Sydney
Re: Nopesport Urban League 2011
Looks like a great series, thanks Brooner.
Good to see races paired up with other events, and especially good to see that the league final race at Penrith is paired up with the Tim Watkins Blodslitet, which is a great race that deserves higher participation, and this might help.
Good to see races paired up with other events, and especially good to see that the league final race at Penrith is paired up with the Tim Watkins Blodslitet, which is a great race that deserves higher participation, and this might help.
Martin Ward, SYO (Chair) & SPOOK.
I'm a 1%er. Are you?
I'm a 1%er. Are you?
-
Spookster - god
- Posts: 2267
- Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2003 1:49 pm
- Location: Sheffield
Re: Nopesport Urban League 2011
Excellent for us.
I'd like to point out that the Culbin event following Lossiemouth is a SOL (and we are hoping to get parking in a new venue right to the east where only the longest courses have ever gone and the forest i at its ultra best).
Possibly the weekend of the year
I'd like to point out that the Culbin event following Lossiemouth is a SOL (and we are hoping to get parking in a new venue right to the east where only the longest courses have ever gone and the forest i at its ultra best).
Possibly the weekend of the year
- EddieH
- god
- Posts: 2513
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:04 pm
Re: Nopesport Urban League 2011
[quote="brooner"]
'A summer break before a quick sucession (sic) of races, Guildford marks our furthest south race while the following weekend urban favourites Sheffield and Lincoln once again offer a fantastic double header.'
Let's hope we come even further South (-East) in 2012, to the historic City of Canterbury.
'A summer break before a quick sucession (sic) of races, Guildford marks our furthest south race while the following weekend urban favourites Sheffield and Lincoln once again offer a fantastic double header.'
Let's hope we come even further South (-East) in 2012, to the historic City of Canterbury.
-
DaveK - green
- Posts: 359
- Joined: Sat Oct 18, 2008 5:28 pm
- Location: The garden of England (too many gardens though and not enough forest).
Re: Nopesport Urban League 2011
brooner wrote:...
The league of course kicks off in Edinburgh this weekend, with what has become our traditional league opener and one of the most highly regarded races of the season, followed by another trip north to Glasgow in April for a race around Erskine which hosted one of last year's trickiest sprint races for the World Championships selection.
...
Edinburgh and Glasgow are, of course, trips south!
Regardless of geographical position, I am looking forward to my first urban race on Saturday.
-
AlanB - light green
- Posts: 208
- Joined: Thu Sep 02, 2010 11:17 am
Re: Nopesport Urban League 2011
11. Chester - 13/11/11 (Preceded by Thurstaston middle distance race 12/11/11)
- pete.owens
- diehard
- Posts: 752
- Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2008 12:25 am
Re: Nopesport Urban League 2011
EddieH wrote:I'd like to point out that the Culbin event following Lossiemouth is a SOL (and we are hoping to get parking in a new venue right to the east where only the longest courses have ever gone and the forest i at its ultra best).
Sorry to disappoint you Eddie; the Moravian grapevine obviously needs some fertilising. The club did try, but couldn't get permission for parking towards the Eastern end. Parking will therefore be in the usual place at Wellhill which has the advantage of a swanky toilet block. I'm sure people wouldn't mind a 2-3 Km flat walk to the East to get the shorter TD5 courses into some of that terrain you're thinking about. The area close to Wellhill is perfect for the easier courses and a wide start window could be planned to make life easier for those with split starts.
- Sunlit Forres
- diehard
- Posts: 615
- Joined: Thu Mar 26, 2009 11:57 pm
- Location: Moravia
Re: Nopesport Urban League 2011
Just back from my first urban race in Edinburgh and it was fantastic! It is hard to imagine a more stunning environment for a city race: Holyrood, the Royal High School, Calton Hill and, of course, Arthur's Seat giving a constant warning of what to expect tomorrow!
Attention to detail is certainly needed if peering through unclimbable fences at control is to be avoided.
And, of course, I have my first Nopesport and UK Masters Cup finishes!
Attention to detail is certainly needed if peering through unclimbable fences at control is to be avoided.
And, of course, I have my first Nopesport and UK Masters Cup finishes!
-
AlanB - light green
- Posts: 208
- Joined: Thu Sep 02, 2010 11:17 am
Re: Nopesport Urban League 2011
It's good to see a proper UK wide spread. I enjoyed today's run, despite being extremely unfit, may have to consider joining a gym to go on a treadmill over winter, shame none of the ones near us do winter only or PAYG membership. Hopefully when the council leisure centre reopens they'll have put a gym in it alongside the pool. There is a council gym near my work which is PAYG but they insist I go on a training session first, which only happens whilst I'm at work, despite me using the local council gym loads when I lived at Forfar.
- frog
Re: Nopesport Urban League 2011
Comparedto last years superb Edinburgh race, and after the promised 'superb' courses by a Russian planner, going into a new part of the city, I was most disappointed and did not enjoy the course (Middle), tho long looks similarly disappointing.
The area missed the majority of the Old town and its alleyways; the Castle and the gardens.
The course itself had too many doglegs - at least 4 times, doubling back the way you came in; and too many chances of people crossing 'Uncrossable' fences. On two occasions I witnessed a competitor crossing such a fence. One above ontrol 3 on Middle - obvioulsy couldnt tell which side of the fence the control was... and secondly the penultimate control high above a passageway. On both occasions I shouted out 'you cannot do that' - but obviously there is nothing you can do. I didnt know the people so cannot report them, but it would be far easier to make the actual control site obvious, and avoid possible temptation.
Also, what is the explanation for so many MisPunches - especially on long, over 25?
Please, next year a new start area, and back into the Old Town - maybe ger permission to go into the Castle grounds; or Queen Street Gardens?
The area missed the majority of the Old town and its alleyways; the Castle and the gardens.
The course itself had too many doglegs - at least 4 times, doubling back the way you came in; and too many chances of people crossing 'Uncrossable' fences. On two occasions I witnessed a competitor crossing such a fence. One above ontrol 3 on Middle - obvioulsy couldnt tell which side of the fence the control was... and secondly the penultimate control high above a passageway. On both occasions I shouted out 'you cannot do that' - but obviously there is nothing you can do. I didnt know the people so cannot report them, but it would be far easier to make the actual control site obvious, and avoid possible temptation.
Also, what is the explanation for so many MisPunches - especially on long, over 25?
Please, next year a new start area, and back into the Old Town - maybe ger permission to go into the Castle grounds; or Queen Street Gardens?
- youngladdie
- yellow
- Posts: 91
- Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 11:19 am
Re: Nopesport Urban League 2011
Comparedto last years superb Edinburgh race, and after the promised 'superb' courses by a Russian planner, going into a new part of the city, I was most disappointed and did not enjoy the course (Middle), tho long looks similarly disappointing.
I wasn't there but, looking at the results and courses on routegadget, I am disappointed not to have made more effort to be there. I thought the courses looked fantastic and imagine there must have been many people standing still whist trying to determine the best routes (or even a possible route at times!).
Dog-legs are a feature of urban/sprint racing and certainly not something to complain about.
I'd be more interested to know why some people chose to run the Open class rather than going for Masters League and Nopesport League points on their 'proper' course. It'll be a shame if everyone doesn't support these new initiatives.
-
Homer - diehard
- Posts: 968
- Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2005 12:10 pm
- Location: Springfield
Re: Nopesport Urban League 2011
I did miss running round the alleyways of the old town as I love those areas. Having said that I enjoyed yesterday's course and it's good to go to new areas. It would have been nice to have fewer dog legs, but I thought the planning was quite clever as I had to take off my glasses several times and stand and stare closely at the map to work out how to get somewhere, if I'd just ran in the general direction of the next control I'd have found myself stuck and had to backtrack.
I wonder if some people look at the lengths of urban courses and decide they aren't long enough so go for the open course, although the final instructions clearly stated that distances given are control to control by straight line and not optimal route. My 4.4k middle course was 9k long according to my GPS.
If you aren't planning to do a whole series of urban events then there's no reason why people shouldn't just pick the length they fancy. Edinburgh's a nice city to explore and some folk like to get their money's worth.
I wonder if some people look at the lengths of urban courses and decide they aren't long enough so go for the open course, although the final instructions clearly stated that distances given are control to control by straight line and not optimal route. My 4.4k middle course was 9k long according to my GPS.
If you aren't planning to do a whole series of urban events then there's no reason why people shouldn't just pick the length they fancy. Edinburgh's a nice city to explore and some folk like to get their money's worth.
- frog
Re: Nopesport Urban League 2011
Despite the dog-legs into and out of several controls I thought the planner did a great job of setting some route choice legs. I reckon of three legs on Middle where I had to make a significant route decision, I may have got two wrong - I'll have to look at routegadget to work it out once more routes are put on.
Today's course on Arthur's Seat was good too - some long legs with interesting route options, and a nice butterfly section on the top of one of the hills.
Today's course on Arthur's Seat was good too - some long legs with interesting route options, and a nice butterfly section on the top of one of the hills.
Martin Ward, SYO (Chair) & SPOOK.
I'm a 1%er. Are you?
I'm a 1%er. Are you?
-
Spookster - god
- Posts: 2267
- Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2003 1:49 pm
- Location: Sheffield
Re: Nopesport Urban League 2011
For the first time, I had nothing to do with this year's race, and I thoroughly enjoyed my course (long). Like most orienteers, I like to run for about an hour, and I chose the right course to let me do so.
Last year, more than a few people pointed out that after three consecutive years on the Royal Mile, it was getting a bit samey. We don't expect to get a top race from a forest area every single year, and cities are proving no different. So it was a good decision to use a somewhat different part of the city, albeit much harder to plan on.
I thought the planning was extremely good: balancing route choices which required a lot of thought with intense navigational section. I'd be interested to see if anyone could do better.
The dog leg issue merits discussion. In places, Jegor clearly used the dog legs to drag the red line away from the optimal route. Typically, a control has only two ways in, so route choice implies doglegs. Not ideal, but a price worth paying?
I also saw people climbing uncrossable walls: these people were wearing University running club tops; presumably first-timers - the map has no legend - what do you expect?
What did you think of the redrawing of the map so that all the symbols became ISSOM-compliant; and therefore the gaps between them non-ISSOM compliant?
Last year, more than a few people pointed out that after three consecutive years on the Royal Mile, it was getting a bit samey. We don't expect to get a top race from a forest area every single year, and cities are proving no different. So it was a good decision to use a somewhat different part of the city, albeit much harder to plan on.
I thought the planning was extremely good: balancing route choices which required a lot of thought with intense navigational section. I'd be interested to see if anyone could do better.
The dog leg issue merits discussion. In places, Jegor clearly used the dog legs to drag the red line away from the optimal route. Typically, a control has only two ways in, so route choice implies doglegs. Not ideal, but a price worth paying?
I also saw people climbing uncrossable walls: these people were wearing University running club tops; presumably first-timers - the map has no legend - what do you expect?
What did you think of the redrawing of the map so that all the symbols became ISSOM-compliant; and therefore the gaps between them non-ISSOM compliant?
WOC2024 Edinburgh
Test races at SprintScotland (Alloa/Falkirk) and Euromeeting (near Stirling).
Test races at SprintScotland (Alloa/Falkirk) and Euromeeting (near Stirling).
-
graeme - god
- Posts: 4726
- Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2004 6:04 pm
- Location: struggling with an pɹɐɔ ʇıɯǝ
Re: Nopesport Urban League 2011
There were some great route choice legs on the middle course, Abbey Hill is not George Square, but there was one doozy of a leg here. The one high up in the drying green - that was a cracking routechoice job and excused the ghastly control 17 entirely.
The first few controls , all the way to the top of Calton Hill were mentally demanding,although I agree it was hard to work out if no. 3 was in Moray House or the garden above. It made little difference to my chosen route though.
Hated the descent and climb back out of the Playhouse, cursed and cussed while doing it but when I got home, I noticed that it set up two high quality route choice dilemas, one I got hopelessly wrong - so 100% justified!
A great effort and well worth giving the Old Town a break - keep it fresh. Thanks everyone.
As for missing around the Castle - we got Calton Hill twice
The first few controls , all the way to the top of Calton Hill were mentally demanding,although I agree it was hard to work out if no. 3 was in Moray House or the garden above. It made little difference to my chosen route though.
Hated the descent and climb back out of the Playhouse, cursed and cussed while doing it but when I got home, I noticed that it set up two high quality route choice dilemas, one I got hopelessly wrong - so 100% justified!
A great effort and well worth giving the Old Town a break - keep it fresh. Thanks everyone.
As for missing around the Castle - we got Calton Hill twice
----
Excuse me, can you tell me where I am?
Excuse me, can you tell me where I am?
-
ryeland of doom - blue
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2004 11:34 am
- Location: Cockenzie
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 169 guests