Springtime in Shropshire

[SJC]

I am waiting for the day that Fabian introduce the ability to specifically choose your start time when you enter. (You would only see what start times are available on your course, not who has chosen them, so couldn't decide who you wanted to run with.)
This would also encourage people to enter early to get the start time they wanted.

[madmike]

I am waiting for the day that Fabian introduce the ability to specifically choose your start time when you enter. (You would only see what start times are available on your course, not who has chosen them, so couldn't decide who you wanted to run with.)
This would also encourage people to enter early to get the start time they wanted.

Now that is a good idea but I suspect quite complicated to do and particularly if seeding is required.

[RS]

Brilliant idea, SJC, and elites could enter as normal

[madmike]

and elites could enter as normal

Sorry RS I should perhaps have been clearer.

It is not just elites that the seeding applies to but all the "premier classes" at major events, i.e. down to and including area championships. There is a whole BOF Appendix on seeding and start times, which is why I agree with you that SJC's idea has considerable (gusting brilliant) merit but I suspect that it will not be that straight forward to implement particularly for large classes (such as M45, M50, M55, M60, M65) where the identity of the top 20 seeds entered are key to creating your start list and this becomes even more difficult if say M45 and M50 are sharing the same course partivcularly with 25% of orienteers typically entering at the last moment.

It would be much easier to do for Level Cs and Ds that have pre-entry or indeed B's that are not regional champs!

I am not pooh-poohing the idea but pointing out it will be difficult to implemet so don't hold your breath.

[ianandmonika]

Many would really love to select their own start time. See who has entered, then pick who you want to follow. Suspect it will be the usual suspects, who generally always chose late starts at events.

[LostAgain]

Many would really love to select their own start time. See who has entered, then pick who you want to follow. Suspect it will be the usual suspects, who generally always chose late starts at events.

There is no reason why the start list needs to be shown until after the closing date. You would only need to show empty start times.

I think it is a great idea.
It would actively encourage early entry to secure desired start times, late entry gets what is left.

This could be applicable to all but British Champs, JK and selection races. Even selection races could have it with a minimum gap between start times of 4mins.

[Ant W]

How would this work with split starts? Enter early or don't bother?

[blindasabat]

Late notice. Due to injury.

I will not be using my Ludlow urban start (course 3, 17.39).
If you want it, PM me tonight before 10.00pm.

[Spookster]

Enjoyed the race at Ludlow today, thanks Wrekin. Starting people at 30 second intervals was probably the right thing to do after the 30 minute delay in getting the event going, but it did make some of the control sites quite "busy" early on.

I haven't run at Ludlow before, so it was helpful (and unusual) that the organisers put the SINS 2013 maps on Routegadget before the weekend (not the courses though, obviously).

[LostAgain]

How would this work with split starts? Enter early or don't bother?

No, enter early or take what's left. Can't see a problem with that.

[RS]

A big to the start team at Sunday's SINS venues. The same people running both starts the whole time. Well done and also to the rest of the Wrekin team for 2 great races - the highlights of the weekend! Think they did themselves a disservice with the final details blurb about the area. Today's course/area wasn't bad either

[Ant W]

How would this work with split starts? Enter early or don't bother?

No, enter early or take what's left. Can't see a problem with that.

Which, for those wanting split starts, would almost certainly very quickly amount to "don't bother". Let's not mince words.

As it's on the SINS thread, I should add that I had a great time this weekend - thanks to all, especially the organisers who put a lot of thought into how to make things a bit easier for parents with young children.

[LostAgain]

How would this work with split starts? Enter early or don't bother?

No, enter early or take what's left. Can't see a problem with that.

Which, for those wanting split starts, would almost certainly very quickly amount to "don't bother". Let's not mince words.

I can't believe it's that hard to continue "Split" starts as they currently do , open format.

[Ant W]

I can't believe it's that hard to continue "Split" starts as they currently do , open format.

Fair enough, though we've only had a couple of events (JK and SINS) recently where we've been offered them. A brilliant idea when there's a process to cope with them.

I do appreciate the idea of encouraging early entries, though, and would be keen if it were also standard practice to offer a refund on an early entry up to say the closing date. I'm put together by bits of string and am constantly wasting entry fees because I'm injured!

[ryeland of doom]

"I'm put together by bits of string and am constantly wasting entry fees because I'm injured!"

Me too, and I largely restrict my activities to EOD events saving the gambles for special treats. The reason I am in a mess is almost entirely due to wear and tear of a lifetime's orienteering. A great sport but it does knock the bits out of you, not that I would have missed a minute of it - hang on, I think I could pass on Great Breech Wood.

Unfortunately a non holiday weekend (for me) means that I always miss a run in my home town. Thanks for putting the Ludlow map up, for years I wondered if Whitcliffe would ever be used and what a map would look like.