SOG S3Cowdray and Greentrees & CoachingSat 02 March, 2024

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

Results

Report

Many thanks for all those who braved the weather to turn up at Cowdray. We had 116 brave souls out in the woods. After weeks of rain the conditions were challenging to say the least and I was glad of Sue's advice to avoid a river crossing for all but the green and blue courses. Lots of happy faces returning with tales of "that was epic" and "I fell in the river but loved it" made for a very relieved first time planner.

Thanks to all who helped, Tim and Linda for car parking, Jane for the start, Rob, Sarah, Alan, Kate, Will and Kieran for the road crossing, Joe, Mike and Penny in the SI tent, Little Dave, Sarah and Jane for control collection, Sue for mentoring me through my first event as a planner and Angela for being a superstar and doing a bit of everything. Oh and best not forget the husband Simon.

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.

Read more about RouteGadget…

Pre event info

We are offering FREE RELAY COACHING this week for both children and adults. This is part of our monthly coaching programme. We are offering the chance to run through how a relay works and have a chance of taking part in a fun mini relay with a mixture of age groups. The courses will be no harder than a yellow and only 1km long, but the challenge comes with the head to head competition.

Please register your interest, ideally by Tuesday to be sure of a map either on Spond or with Anna if you don't have the Spond app. Car parking for the relay coaching will be different to the main event, so please contact Anna for details. Please pre-enter for your course as normal, you will have time to run after the coaching.

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: Crawley

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

Directions / Parking

Parking on Whitely Hill (private road) which is one way traffic, east to west. Entry from the B2110 only.
Grid Reference: TQ 311 341
Nearest Postcode: RH10 4SA
What3words: ///demand.rope.bright

Participants have to cross the busy B2036 from the parking area on the east to the registration and event area on the west. The road is extremely fast and will be manned. Children must be supervised by parents/carers at this crossing both before and after running.

Warm/dry clothes may be left next to download/registration in your own plastic bag.

Public Transport

Nearest trains at Three Bridges.

Course Information

Blue 6.1km, green 4.6km, short green 3.0km, orange 2.9km, yellow 1.7km.

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

1:7500 with 5m contours last updated October 2023.

Terrain Description

Fantastic area with mixed woodland, river crossings and a friendly amount of paths and rides.

Bracken is mapped as undergrowth slow running. Runnability in bracken varies and is difficult to get through in places.
Rhododendron. Smaller bushes have sprung up and are not mapped but may cause confusion. Don’t just rely on just vegetation to navigate by.

Take care at stream crossings. Some have deep sides which after recent rain may be muddy and slippy. Suitably grippy shoes are needed.

Full leg cover is mandatory

Dog restrictions

Well-behaved dogs on a lead

Facilities

None

Miscellaneous

Safety bearing – North to fence, the east to download.

Please be polite to dog owners and give dogs a wide berth.

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Mo Fitzpatrick

Organiser:

Controller: