A small contingent from Sarum joined an international field for a multiday festival of orienteering based in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons National Park). With the Event Centre sited in Aberhonddu (Brecon) a mix of four long distance and two middle distance races with the best four results counting towards the competition. There was a variety of areas ranging from the highly technical sand dunes of Merthyr Mawr to more classic S. Wales open limestone moorland.
Day 1 (Long Distance) took runners through the highly intricate sand dunes of Merthyr Mawr. Day 2 (middle distance) was at Cribarth. The runnable terrain of broken limestone, crags, shake holes and old quarry workings may have sounded fun but the steep climb up to the start was something else. The terrain on Day 3 (Long Distance) at Carreg Goch was not dissimilar to Day 2, including another steep climb to the start. Both Day 2 & 3 starts could be clearly seen from the arena, making some of us happy to be pottering around Craig y Nos country park doing a Yellow course.
For the rest day there were options of staying in bed, going down to the pub or a Sprint Event in Brecon.
Day 4 (Long Distance) was on the fast open terrain of Pen Rhiw Wen with intricate contouring, limestone features and sinkholes. Unfortunately, mist descended on the high terrain adding an extra layer of difficulty, putting navigational skills at a premium.
Day 5 (Long Distance) was the first of two races on the moorland north of Tredegar. Llangynidr comprises high and remote grazed moorland plateau with few linear features encouraging fast running. A few sinkholes, small hills and linear crags added to the texture of the terrain
Day 6 – at last – offered middle distance courses run on Comin Merthyr (Merthyr Common) adjacent to Langynidr. On open moorland limestone full of sinkholes, pits and depressions with good runnability, apart from the heather, this was one of your reporter’s last decent runs on legs that worked.
Overall, this was a splendid event and an achievement for the clubs of WOA, with just some 300 members, aided by willing local English clubs. Thanks to all those who organised, planned and controlled. The organised transport of club tents between event sites was an added bonus much appreciated.
Full results can be found here but notable for Sarum was Jackie Butt (on the left) who was overall 2nd in W60, including 2nd places on days 1,2 and 5. Other excellent individual results were Joan Hambleton (1st, W80, Day 5) and Ian Pierce (2nd M80, Day 6). Best overall results were Des Dickinson (6th, M40L), Andrew Graham (5th l, M65S), Ian Peirce (5th, M80L). Charlotte Thornton (7th, W75L). Joan Hambleton 5th, W80).
On the Sprint (rest!) Day Sarum had two course winners; Denise Mullins (W70) and Des Dickinson (M40).
Photographs are courtesy of Wendy Carlyle, Richard Barrett, Carolyn Dent and Ian Peirce.
