SOG S5Eartham North & CoachingSat 05 April, 2025

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

Results

Report

Thank you to everyone who made it to Eartham on Saturday, the weather was perfect for orienteering. There was a very cold wind in the carpark, but as soon as you entered the trees it was perfect for running. The woods looked beautiful in the spring sunshine and the conditions underfoot and good visibility led to some fast times despite the hilly terrain.

There had been an event using the southern half of the map earlier in the year and so I tried to keep to the northern half with just a few controls overlapping the two areas. This meant that most of the controls were on the upper section of the hill and led to some steep climbs, including the Finish! Looking back at the courses and the times, I was quite happy apart from the Orange course which on reflection was too difficult. I think this was down to some of the linear earth features not being as obvious as I originally thought, particularly with the leaf coverage on the forest floor. A lesson learned for me.

Many thanks to the following who helped make the event happen:

Planning the event - Julia, Karen, Diane, Steve, Andy and Neil.

Setting up the course - Katy and Zoe

Parking - David, Michael and Alan

SI team - Penny, Mike and Joe

Control collectors - Alan, Pete, Garry and Sarah

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 COACHING this week for younger juniors and older juniors (anyone moving on to orange and upwards) and adults. This is part of our monthly coaching programme.

Karen’s session for the younger juniors will focus on the important skill of relocation (or how to work out where you are on the map after you’ve made a mistake and aren’t quite sure any more).

For the older juniors we will be practicing aiming off, pacing and reviewing the map before your run.

Meet at the coaching flag at 9:45am, ready for a 10am start.

Please register your interest in good time on Spond or if you don't have the Spond app please email Karen. Please pre-enter for your course as normal, you will have time to run after the coaching.

EARTHAM PHOTO QUIZ
As it is almost Easter, there will be mini egg prizes available to any SO junior who correctly identifies all 6 of these control points (take photo quiz) and who is at the Eartham training to pick them up.

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: Chichester

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

Directions / Parking

The Car parking is just off the A285 near Upwaltham between Chichester and Petworth. There is a narrow entrance on the right opposite Selhurstpark Road as you approach from the South.

What3Words: ///banter.loaded.butlers

Postcode: GU28 0LZ

Public Transport

The 99 bus runs from Chichester to Petworth and stops just by the entrance to the assembly field at the end of Selhurstpark Road, www.compass-travel.co.uk

Course Information

Blue 6.4km (190m Climb)

Green 4.4km (140m Climb)
Short Green 3.3km (80m Climb)
Orange 2.6km (50m Climb)
Yellow 1.8km (45m Climb)

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 (use code SOjuniors).
Non member fees: Seniors £7.50, Juniors £3.25.

If shadowing a junior or going as a family group with one map and one dibber, just enter one junior.

'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

Map created spring 2023
Scale 1:10,000 / 5m Contours

Terrain Description

Eartham is mostly open runnable forest. The forest is 90% beech woodland, - mainly free of obstructions and undergrowth. The area slopes from North to South and the longer courses involve a reasonable amount of climbing.

Dog restrictions

Keep dogs in sight and close by; use a lead if they don’t always return when called. Always clean up after your dogs.

Facilities

None.

Miscellaneous

Biosecurity Measures: Before attending the event please ensure that your orienteering footwear/gaiters are clean. When you leave the car parking field to go to the start you will be asked to disinfect your footwear/gaiters before running in the forest. After your run please ensure you remove any excess soil/leaf litter/needles from footwear, gaiters and clothing before leaving the car park. On returning home thoroughly scrub footwear/gaiters, wash clothing and leave to dry for at least 48 hours before reuse.

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Matt Hill

Organiser:

Controller: