5 k time trials

[DM]

I came across a series of time trials while drumming up some support for MDOC races. The one near us in Bramhall Park is one of many across the country. They are 5 km, free, every Saturday morning, well organised and attended by all ages and abilities, children to pensioners and beginners to serious club runners. Results system is pretty good.

Apart from being good speed training it is a good way to hand out flyers on events. Quite a few of the runners did follow up on details and came along to our summer series. It might be a way for clubs around the country to try to increase participation. There's no reason why an O club could not set up and organise a similar event as part of the "franchise", I understand help from the umbrella organisation is significant. Volunteers run the show and if Bramhall is anything to go by most runners volunteer as well, so the load does not all fall on the same group.The results service also has the facility to publicise races/events and get an entry for local clubs.

Steve Vernon( BO Participation manager) set an impressive course record at the regular time trial at Bramhall Park on Saturday.Results on;

http://www.parkrun.com/Default.aspx?tabid=304

Some of the regulars who didn't know who Steve was were heard to comment "he won't keep that pace up", 14:55 for 5 k with 4 hills and some sharp turns is a course record that will stand for a while.

[Gross]

Steve Vernon( BO Participation manager) set an impressive course record at the regular time trial at Bramhall Park on Saturday.Results on;

So I'd assume that clubs etc have already been advised by BOF about this possible option?

[RS]

Think members of SLOW have been doing these races for a while

[Barny of Blandford]

Simon took us to the Bramhall event a couple of months ago when we visited mother in law. Good event and nice course. Also nice little orienteering map of the area which we had a look at.

Then we also managed to do the first one at Basingstoke while on the way to move Simon to new house in Reading. Again a good event and a few rather fast runners.

System seems to be a very efficient and is used for each event - also gives a nice edge to it as it is a competitive run. Also results up very quickly although what I have to do to achieve 100% is beyond me!!

[The Loofa]

Think members of SLOW have been doing these races for a while

These time trials started in October 04 in Bushy Park (in SLOW territory) and that one now has an average attendance of close on 400. Not bad going especially when one considers that Richmond park and Wimbledon Common are only a few miles away and also host TTs at the same time each with numbers nearing 100.

As for publicity opportunities for o'ing, I'm not too enthused. Last year I stood at the finish at Bushy handing out flyers for our Trail Challenges - the first of which was at the same venue a few days later. I don't think it attracted one entry. Having thought it through and talked to some local runners, i reckon these TTs are highly attractive to runners who positively wish to avoid engaging brain; and as the local O club our main interest is in runners who want to engage brain.

Not that we seem to need publicity there. The Trail Challenge series this summer attracted record numbers at each race. Firstly 87 at Bushy, then 92 at Ham Riverside and this Tuesday at Richmond park we think the number was around 160 - our SI guru is still battling with working out the complete list. maps were being shared; dibbers were being shared - it was totally manic

[Adrian]

Stuweb's been running a 5k time trial series this summer in Wolverhampton
http://www.stuweb.co.uk/swp/default.asp?a=19&nid=308

[Lard]

Forth Valley Orienteers have organised their own terrain time trial planned for early September - everyone in the club have been invited to attend.
Great for measuring fitness against club mates and can be used time and time again once you know the route......