SOG S6Abbots WoodSat 06 April, 2019

On the yellow course

On the yellow course

Near: Hailsham
Level of event: Local
Type of event: Race

Results

Report

Firstly thanks to the SI team of Ralph, Penny, Joe and Paul and to the helpers on the day, Jill, Einar, Steve, Jane, Julie, Richard, Ed and Neil, without whom we would be unable to run the event. And to the 77 of you who came to enjoy a run in Abbots Wood. Judging from the comments received you all did, even if many mistakes were made!

The map was started from scratch late last year (with the help of lidar data) and the first run on any new map is always a worry, you hope it is adequate for the task. Happily everyone got round the courses so it must have been reasonably ok! The area lends itself quite well to middle style races so I decided to plan courses along those lines, especially in the middle section of both the Green and Blue. Judging from various comments it sounds like there were competitors running in all directions at the far end of the area which was I had hoped to achieve, thus providing distractions additional to the low visibility vegetation!

Winning times were in the expected range and well done to everyone who had a good, relatively error free run.

Over the next few months the map will be extended northwards so when we return next year it is likely to look different again. I look forward to seeing you all there!

Chris Hooker

Note from SI Team: No disqualifications on any of the courses!

RouteGadget

Is a web app for sharing and comparing orienteering routes. You can draw your own route or upload a GPS track from your watch. It also allows you to watch an animated replay with a simulated mass start.

SOG Series Info

SOGs are friendly club events where children and newcomers are very welcome. Yellow and Orange courses are suitable for children to run on their own with a bit of practice. Adults are welcome to shadow children until they are confident to go on their own. Green and Blue courses are run or walked by any age group - you can race competitively or just enjoy the woodland.

There are two series of events - autumn and spring of approximately 8 events each. Electronic timing (SI) is used.

Help on the day always appreciated.

Volunteer here

Enquiries here

Location Info

Nearest town: Hailsham

* Postcodes are not very precise in some areas, so don't rely on them for an exact location.

Directions / Parking

Directions and Parking It is likely to be very busy as the bluebells will probably be in full flower attracting large numbers of the public. Early arrival is highly recommended. We will be using the main Abbots Wood car park (BN26 6SJ gets you to the Olde Oak pub which is about 0.5miles north of the car park). Pay and Display up to £5 depending on length of stay.

From Drusillas Zoo roundabout on the A27 at Berwick turn north. After about a mile take the first right (just before the level crossing). This road takes you to the Abbots Wood entrance after about 2 miles of twisty country lane!

Public Transport

Regular buses to Hailsham (3 miles). Train station at Berwick (3 miles).

Course Information

Blue 5.5km, Green 3.4km, Orange 2.1km, Yellow 1.5km. Not much climb but don't be deceived, this is a physical area to run in.

Entry Details

Pre-entry via Racesignup.co.uk Newcomers are welcome and eligible for a free trial session - if you'd like to reserve a map or discuss the event please email our membership secretary.

BOF member fees: Seniors £6.50, Juniors £3.25, SO Juniors free.
Non member fees: Seniors £7.50, Juniors £3.25.

'Dibber' hire:
Electronic punching (SI) chips are available to hire. SIAC (contactless): £2 (juniors £1), non-SIAC (not contactless) £1 (juniors £0.5)

Registration open

9:45 to 10:45

Start Times

10:00 to 11:00. Courses close at 12:30.

Map Details

Abbots Wood (South), 1:10000. New lidar based map surveyed and drawn to ISOM 2017 by Chris Hooker during Autumn/Winter 2018/19.

Terrain Description

Managed woodland with good path and track network. Some smaller paths are not mapped. Much of the area is light green on the map which will mean a good deal of navigation in lowish visibility. Undergrowth is variable and predominantly bramble. However, there are now large areas developing that are virtually bramble free. Courses have been planned to avoid the worst of the undergrowth although runners on the blue and green courses in particular will have to weave around small patches of bramble.

Dog restrictions

Yes, under control

Facilities

Toilets in the car park. Play area. BBQ area. There may also be an ice-cream van!
Well worth staying on for a walk afterwards. Also 2 pubs and 2+ tea rooms within a mile of the car park.

Miscellaneous

Safety bearing is west. This will bring you to the road where the car park entrance is. This area is shared with the public including dog-walkers, horse-riders and cyclists. Please be courteous. In the event of poor weather cagoules may be made compulsory. In extreme weather the event may have to be cancelled in which case every attempt will be made to give as much notice as possible on the website. Access to this event has been granted by kind permission of the Forestry Commission. Access is normally restricted to public rights of way. Please respect these restrictions at all other times.

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Chris Hooker

Organiser: Jill Blount

Controller:

Photo Gallery

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Where next?

Where next?