We had almost 100 people compete this morning, so thanks to everyone who ran.

A few of us made mistakes in the rose gardens, so it’s probably worth clarifying the rules concerning the Olive Green (OOB - Out of Bounds) areas. As the planner, I realise now that I shouldn’t have tempted runners to jump over the rose beds to get to the 17th control (66). In the rules there is no reference to the specific case in hand, however I am reliably informed that even jumping over narrow areas of OOB is illegal.

There were similar problems at this year’s JK Sprint, so it’s definitely worth bearing in mind both as planners and competitors.

Cheers

Rob.

British Orienteering Rules 2007

1.6.5 Competitors shall not enter ‘out of bounds’ areas.

1.7.6 The Planner shall take responsibility for all safety aspects of the course planning. The course shall be planned so that ‘out of bounds’ areas and dangerous features can be avoided easily.

7.2.6 Competitors shall not enter ‘out of bounds’ areas and shall be liable to disqualification if they do so. Competitors finding that they have inadvertently entered an ‘out of bounds’ area shall immediately leave that area.

I thought the course was excellent - really challenging and certainly kept me on my toes - best so far! - managed a few poor decisions personally at #13 by thinking it would be behind the hedge!?! and got trapped, #21 not seeing the flag/path and having to go out and come back in, and not taking #25 by looking for the bench and cutting up - instead I cut up early and went along the top as the bank looked grim and I saw a gap early on.
#17 I thought was an excellent leg as all of a sudden you saw there was a OOB flowerbed and how on earth were you going to get round it!!! I had to stand still for many seconds to figure it out. However, the roses were easilt crossable and I thought this would cause issues with people crossing it as the older eyes might not see the thin strip!
My feeling would be not to change the leg as it is a good one, but to have a sign up at the start in big letters - “Olive Green is OOB and not allowed to cross. In one area, the shortest route is over a thin line of OOB and this have been marked with red and white tape to remind you!”
Hindsight of course is the wisest.
Looking forward to Horsham Park and DFOK Happy Valley Score double whammy next Saturday.
Good Work Southdowns.

Bring on the routegadget! By my calculations, if this is a BOF registered event under BOF rules, the majority of the field needs DSQ’ing!! ;;-))))
I am rather surprised I have to say that the majority of the upper echelons of the field crossed over OOB when they should have spotted it (there was even some discussion had with various folks yet to run when I finished about it) I guess you might expect less experienced runners to cross, but… Ignorance, poor eyesight, he did it so I did, are all no excuses ;-)
It is a good thing it is a low-key race - just don’t cross OOB in bigger more important races! What would have happened at the SEOA Sprint Champs!?!
Interesting stuff…

Unfortunately through ignorance or otherwise there will always be competitors who will take unfair advantage of shortcuts through OOB areas. The best solutions are to either to marshall the shortcut or to plan the courses to avoid them. The biggest potential problem at the SE sprints is likely to be seeing a shortcut through a building. Being a Saturday in August though most doors will be locked.

Equally unfortunately I felt a twinge in the groin whilst leaping down the slope after 5 and with a cricket league match in the afternoon so decided to stop, then it felt OK so I decided to continue to 6 then common sense took over again. Shame - lots of people were saying how good the course was.

Ravinous - 12 July 2008 09:18 PM

the majority of the field needs DSQ’ing!! ;;-))))

The rules certainly say “disqualify”, which might be over-the-top for this event. However, it would be good to see “corrected” results used for the Sussex Sprint table.

It would be a shame to see planners avoid challenging legs in future knowing that some can’t read the map or don’t understand the rules; I like the idea of taping flower beds for emphasis (although I might be less keen if it was me who had to go and put out the tape :-) )