Planner Martin Goddard devised challenging Green, Score and Orange courses, plus a Yellow course, to fit into the small area of the Dur Hill map. Poor Martin was struck down with an infection just before the event and was unable to be there and Controller Ian Peirce nobly took on the task of putting out the Controls.
On the day bitter N. Easterly winds made most runners want to get a move on – or put on warmer clothing – or both! Very recent active forestry work in the area meant that some routes crossed unmapped areas of difficult birch sapling stumps or patches of burnt gorse, but runners were warned of these.
14 runners took on the Score course with Michael Cooke (BAOC/Sarum) getting the maximum 210 points in 53.55min., ahead of Chris Turner (WIM; 54.27). Marc Balston (Sarum) was 4th (56.35).
The Green course (24 runners) was won by Nick Jarvis (SO; M21, 28-39) with Gwyn Davies the first Sarum runner home in 9th place (53.14).
17 runners took on the Orange course. Rainczuk (SAX, M60, 32.38) was first ahead of Elizabeth Balston (Sarum, W14, 33.03). Twins Charlotte and Olivia Cooke were the only runners on Yellow but had a great time (43.07 and 44.01 respectively).
Sighted at Dur Hill; the rare Blue Backed Spiny Control Depositer.
Controller’s comments:
The last control laid was in the semi-dark. It was the distinct tree Jackie Butt never found – I wonder why…..in fading light I was getting desperate – any tree in a storm!
Considerable map updates were made, concentrating around and between controls. Sorry that a few mis-punched where 2 controls were close together, but they were different features with dissimilar numbers. Also the separation was within BOF rules. Good to see some entrants who had not orienteered before or at least for some time. A local (Level D) event is ideal to get started.
Thanks to Martin for his hard work planning, to Ian Peirce for controlling and control setting, Mark White for organising and results and the usual good-hearted band of Sarum volunteers.
