Chester Sprint Races, 13 November 2011

[O lady]

Just to let everyone know that the format of this year's Chester Race will be two sprints.
The event will be based at the University of Chester very close to the city centre. The city centre map has been extended to include the Garden Quarter and the University campus.

We are unable to use the very centre of the city this year due to the Remembrance Sunday activities and parade around the cathedral area.

So format is two sprints, times of which will be added together for final result. Hope that the change to sprint format will not cause a problem re the status of the event in the Nopesport League.

To keep you occupied between the two races, there will be a free microsprint for all.

There is also a middle distance race at Thurstaston Common on the Wirral on Saturday making up a Deeside Double weekend. Both events are also part of the NW Regional League.

Will post further info here as things progress.

[tomtom]

Sounds good fun, hope I can make it.

[mikey]

Any ideas about timings for day 2?

Gap between races?

Time for second race?

Just trying to work out whether it is doable?

[O lady]

Mikey
Apologies for delay in replying - orienteering in Paris this weekend

We are just waiting to agree the absolute start periods for the first race with our colleagues in Cheshire West & Chester Council. We have to start early enough to be clear of the shoppers but, this year, we also have to avoid the Remembrance Sunday parade going on around the cathedral area.

So if I use 00:00 as a theoretical base time, the programme is as follows.
00:00 - 00:45 Starts Race 1
01:30 - 02:00 Starts Microsprint
02:00 - 02:45 Starts race 2

The base time will be somewhere 9:00 and 10:30 and I expect to have it confirmed by the end of next week. Will post here.
Hope that helps for now. Will be happy to try and accommodate you with start times etc as much as possible.

[O lady]

More information now available for Chester Races:

Format: 2 sprint races, total time of two races added together to determine final result. Note: Free Microsprint to entertain you between the two races.

Courses:
Course A: Men Open (M18, M21, M35)
Course B: M40+, Women Open (W18, W21, W35),
Course C: M55+, W40+
Course D: M70+, W55+
Course E: M/W16-
Please note that to be competitive for the Nopesport Urban League, you must enter the appropriate age classes above.
M70+ competitors who wish to be competitive in the Nopesport League must enter Course C not Course D.
As per British Orienteering guidelines; competitors who are under 16 years of age on the day of the event can only enter Course E as this does not cross any roads.

Urban race terrain visiting city centre areas, park land, residential areas, University campus and the canal area.

Car Parking: Please use public car parks; the nearest to the event are the Northgate Long Stay car park (429 spaces), entrance in Northgate Avenue and Garden Lane Long Stay (146 spaces). Both are Pay & Display.
Unfortunately Chester Park & Rides begin operations too late on a Sunday for you to use them.
Assembly is 1.6k, 20 min walk from Chester Station.

Assembly & Registration is in the Small Hall, University of Chester, Exton Park, CH1 4AR.
We will provide you with maps and weblinks for locations of all the above in the Final Details.

Registration from 9:00 to 9:45
Starts Race 1: 9:30-10:15
(Microsprint Starts: 11:00-11:30)
Starts Race 2: 12:00-12:45
Pre-entries at http://www.fabian4.co.uk , closing date: 4/11/11.
Pre-entry: £9/£3 (£2 discount for adult BO members).
Limited EOD £11/£5 (£2 discount for adult BO members).

Organiser: Jane Mockford, deesidenews@yahoo.com , 01244 350 589 (please note away between until 3 Nov but accessing e mail until 28 Oct).

[RS]

Trying to work out the logistics of getting there and whether it's at all feasible. Final details early would be nice(could be updated later).
Is there somewhere undercover to keep bags and anywhere inside to wait between races please?
As the first race appears to be in the city does that mean the start is in the city or at the uni?
Ta

[O lady]

Hi RS
As below, registration and assembly and download are in Small Hall at University and bags can be left there and you can hang out between races.
Race 1 start is in city, 1k walk from assembly with finish 300m from assembly.
Race 2 start and finish on university campus.

Will be possible to go straight to start from car parks, 900m from Northgate Long Stay.
Maps will be in Final Details.

Hope this helps.

[RS]

Yes thank you

[AndyC]

Sounds really good and I'd like to be there but I've been asked to be assistant to the assistant planner for the Colour Coded Event at Wallington the same day (yes a plug) - I think that means I put the controls out and deal with "on the day issues" as the others won't be around; still it means I will get some quality time in what I've always found a very attractive (if not that technical) area.
I lasted as long as I could, Kitch

[awk]

Sounds really good and I'd like to be there but

.....

Venice calls! Buses in twos and threes (even if a thousand miles or so apart!).

On a slightly tangential note, what's that about buses? Virtually nothing that calls strongly for December-February (thank goodness for the Big Weekend), and then come March there's four in one weekend I'd like to do (admittedly have to be willing to travel!).