SOG A8Ditchling Common & Coaching (Mini-Relay)Sat 28 January, 2023

Near: Burgess Hill
Level of event: Local
Type of event: Race

Results

Report

It was a great experience to be planning a SOG for the first time, and I will definitely volunteer to plan again. It was also great to see how many people participated in the event on a lovely Saturday morning. Many positive reviews, although I will keep in mind that the next time I plan, I should avoid planning a control that crosses another one that is perhaps later or earlier in the course. Many thanks to Steve for helping me get through the first time planning, Jill helping set up the start and taped routes, and helping me at the start, Neil for providing the equipment, the SI team and all of the other lovely volunteers who made this possible.

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

PRE-EVENT MINI RELAY This week we will be doing something a bit different with coaching and giving everyone (YOUNG AND OLD) the chance to experience the fun of a relay, in addition to the normal courses. Our club loves doing relays at big events and if you haven't done it before come along and see if it's for you. You don't need to be an expert - it's all good fun and a great way of meeting people.

You will be put in a small team and we’ll choose a course for your ability (they will all be quite short). This will include courses for young children too. It will be a great opportunity to experience what happens at a relay event with a mass start and handover.

Please sign up for the mini relay by 8pm on Weds 25th Jan. Either email Anna or click 'Attend' on Spond. There will be time to run your own course afterwards, so please go ahead and enter that as normal.

Meet at the hub tent at 9:45, ready to start at 10am. Parents, please liaise with our coach Will with regard to whether we need your help

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: Burgess Hill

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

Directions / Parking

Postcode: BN6 8SG. What3Words: painers.parrot.lushley. Grid Reference: TQ340180. At roundabout of B2112 and B2113 head east on minor road towards Plumpton Green. After 600m turn north into SM Tidy Mid Sussex Business Park Industrial Estate. Follow orienteering signs through the estate and park as directed by marshals. DO NOT USE THE DITCHLING COMMON PUBLIC CAR PARK.

Public Transport

Nearest train station is Burgess Hill. 3km walk (45min) /cycle (12min) to event registration/download.

Course Information

Yellow - 1.2km - 15m climb

Orange - 1.7km - 30m climb

Short Green - 2.8km - 45m climb

Green - 3.7km - 55m climb

Blue - 5.3km - 80m climb

Participants in orienteering must wear appropriate clothing including full leg cover (not shorts). This is a standard rule of the sport to minimise the transmission of blood borne parasites. Activities in cold weather or poor conditions require layered clothing with a windproof and/or waterproof shell garment.

Entry Details

Pre-entry viaRacesignup.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.

Fees:

SO/BOF Senior members £5.00 (non-members £6),

Juniors £2.50 (SO Juniors free - use discount code SOjuniors).

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

Registration

09:45am - 10:45am

Start Times

10.00am - 11.00am. Courses close 12.30pm.

Map Details

Scale 1:5000 with 5m contours.

Terrain Description

A mixture of open and wooded areas of varying runability. Extensive path network.

Dog restrictions

On a lead whilst in the industrial estate. On the common dogs are welcome under close control. Clear up after your dog.

Facilities

None.

Miscellaneous

Safety bearing: South East to finish flag.

Car parking is provided by kind permission of SM Tidy Industrial Estate and Mid Sussex Business Park.

There is a 600m walk from car parking to the start/finish.

Competitors are asked to exercise care when driving into and walking back through the estate to the start/finish. Parents are asked to accompany their children at all times whilst in the industrial estate.

Ditching common is heavily used by the general public please give them space to pass safely.

The common has a large pond, a stream and areas of wet marsh.

Please DO NOT climb over any fences there are numerous gates available to use.

Please adhere to the British Orienteering Code of Conduct and allow others to social distance if they wish to do so.

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Emils Ummer

Organiser:

Controller: