Harvester 2025 and JOK chasing sprint

[SeanC]

With my club captain asking for availability, I thought it would be a good idea to give a plug for the Harvester 2025 in case you missed it (not listed on the SEOA website for example, possibly because it's organised by JOK?)

Sat 28-29th June at Kings Wood on the Kent Downs. The runnable bits tend to stay runnable late in the season. See https://www.jok.org.uk/harvester_relays_2025 and route gadget https://www.saxons.routegadget.co.uk/rg2/#73

Previous day is the JOK chasing sprint at Addington Hills, Croydon with some good contours if you've not been there. And possibly the only UK orienteering area with a chinese restaurant in the middle? See https://www.jok.org.uk/chasing_sprint/2025 and routegadget https://www.lok.routegadget.co.uk/rg2/#60

[Jon X]

I see entries are starting to come in for this - good to see SAX fielding three teams, SeanC!

The more teams entered the better of course! It would be great to see the Harvester re-establish itself on the calendar - it has a long history, and seems perfect to offer those graduating from the Peter Palmer Relay a similar night/day event to compete in thereafter.

So any nopesporters reading this, please do try and make sure your club is sending at least one team!

Also note that fees (for both the Harvester and the Chasing Sprint) increase after today, worth getting those entries in now…

[Snail]

..It would be great to see the Harvester re-establish itself on the calendar - it has a long history, and seems perfect to offer those graduating from the Peter Palmer Relay a similar night/day event to compete in thereafter …

Totally agree.

Entries might be limited by the restricted facilities at assembly: no guarantee of having a car nearby, and unclear if club tents are allowed or if they are excluded by the "no camping" rule. So people have to be prepared to be up all night with no protection against inclement weather. Although fewer entries increases the likelihood of having a car available!

[Jon X]

unclear if club tents are allowed or if they are excluded by the "no camping" rule. So people have to be prepared to be up all night with no protection against inclement weather.

I checked this with the organiser last week, no problem with club tents at the race site. No small camping tents.

[SeanC]

Good to see it's up to 16 teams. The 'off forest' campsite does make things more challenging - but if you're after an easy event probably an all night orienteering relay might not be for you

I wonder if a 'team bike' might work for some, since the campsite is a shortish 3.6 miles cycle away? Ie leg 1 runner finishes, cycles to campsite, wakes up leg 3 runner who cycles to assembly leaving bike for leg 2 finisher etc.

One thing I forgot to mention about Addington Hills - it has a great view over London. Helped by quite a lot of scrub burning down in the 2022 heatwave.

Rain - we've had hardly any rainy days in Kent for months - but I've probably jinxed it now.

[DaveL]

DFOK are just about to put an entry in for the A Race! And if we can do it then I'm sure most other SE clubs should be able to pull together a team.
Would be great if the Harvester could regain the prestigious position on the calendar it once held.

[SeanC]

When DFOK have entered looks like all the SEOA clubs will have teams apart from GO, LOK and CHIG. I think the rules allow 'combined club' teams if they are in the same region or adjacent, so GO/LOK/CHIG - you could combine?

Maybe there should be prizes for the top club from each region as well to encourage those from further afield?

[DaveL]

We're in !!!
I'm expecting at least 1, maybe 2 and possibly 3 runners in the mini mass start but it's the taking part that countrs and maybe we have a chance in the handicap !