Eartham S / Nore HillSun 15 October, 2023

Report

Planners report: What a glorious day and thank you all for coming along to Eartham!

Judging from the feedback that I received, pretty much everyone really enjoyed the courses even though they were both physical and challenging in places. It is possible to create very straightforward, fast courses here but I wanted to produce something that would keep you on your toes. Hence my prime goals were to keep you in the forest as much as possible, and to encourage good technique on mostly straight line route choices by ensuring that attack points and collecting features were available.

The 3 longest courses visited Nore Hill where I wanted to make the most of the terrace system. I wanted a one way in and another way out system and the only way to achieve this was to put in the tricky hill climb! I know this was physically challenging but I feel that the rest of that area made it worthwhile and that was reflected in comments made.

Looking at the results, the times were as anticipated and it was great that everyone was in before the course closing time.

I would like to thank Steve for his comprehensive organisation of the event and John for being a thorough, knowledgeable and supportive controller. I would also like to thank my control collecting team of Mark, Will, Tommy, Dave and Garry, as well as everyone else who helped and will be mentioned in another post.

Organiser Thanks: Planner - Chris H. Controller - John C. Permissions – Andy H. Racesignup/Equipment - Neil C. Map Printing - Mike G. Car Parking - John M, David W, Joe H, Tim H, Mike T. Start - Jane L, Jill B, Ed F, Alan W. Can I Help? - Linda H, Di T. Finish – Di T. SI Team - Penny P, Mike R, Paul W, Les C. Control Collection - Garry G, Dave C, Will H, Tommy H, Mark C. The glue that holds the club together - SO Club Committee. Last but not least - Everyone for coming.

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.

Pre event info

Final Details can be found here.

Eartham Wood is the northern part of the map and is in fantastic condition. This will allow plenty of straight line running to be done with just a couple of light green areas where competitors will need to decide whether to go through or around. The area has a lot of sizable pits and depressions and these will feature on all the technical courses. The 3 longest courses also visit Nore Hill which has an interesting area of earth banks creating a system of terraces where care will be needed with navigation! This section is also very runnable and, as with the main wood, has a number of large pits and depressions.

Location Info

Nearest town: Eartham

• Postcode: PO18 0NA *
• Lat,Lng:50.89118,-0.67031
• Grid Ref: SU935110
• Google Map
• Streetmap (OS 50k)
• Bing Map (OS 50k)
• OpenStreetMap

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

Directions / Parking

Parking will be signed 100m prior to turning off the A285, as the entrance to parking is narrow there will be no exit before 1200hrs. Competitors should only approach the event direct from the A285, please avoid travelling via Eartham village. Traffic on the A285 will be fast moving.

*Please note when planning your journey, there is a horse racing meeting taking place at Goodwood*

Grid Reference: SU935110

Post Code: PO18 0NA

What3words: cookies.budgeted.scarred

Public Transport

Nearest train station is Barnham.

Course Information

There is a 1.2km (20 minute) walk for all courses to the start and an 800m walk back from finish for all courses. The White, Yellow, Orange, Short Green & Green courses will remain solely within Eartham Wood. The Short Blue, Blue & Brown courses will also visit Nore Hill in addition to Eartham Wood and are expected to be physically challenging:

• Brown 9.2km 300m
• Blue 6.6km 210m
• S Blue 5.7km 180m
• Green 4.8km 110m
• Short Green 3.6km 90m (Suitable for Light Green runners)
• Orange 2.6km 70m
• Yellow 2.3km 70m
• White 1.8km 60m

Entry Details

Pre-entry via Racesignup.co.uk (there will be no entry on the day):

£11.00 BOF Senior/£5.00 BOF Junior up to 8^th October 2023

£13.00 BOF Senior/£5.00 BOF Junior up to 13^th October 2023 (subject to map availability)

£2 non-member supplement (Seniors only)

SO juniors free (use code SOjuniors)

Standard Dibber Hire: £1.00 Senior/£0.50 Junior

SIAC Hire: £2.00 Senior/£1.00 Junior

Novice seniors can enter an Orange, Yellow or White course for a reduced fee of £7.00

Registration

10.15am - 12.15pm

Start Times

10.30am - 1230am. Courses close 2.30pm

Map Details

1:10000 with 5m contours. A4. Surveyed by Peel Land Surveys 2022 with seasonal updates by Chris Hooker September 2023.

Terrain Description

All courses use Eartham South which is mostly very runnable woodland on a gently sloping, south facing hill on the South Downs. It is incised by 3 valleys that run approximately north-south and has a profusion of large pits and depressions. There is a segment with a mix of light green woodland and heavy undergrowth which is passable for strong runners but is probably just as quick to run around! Some of the ride edges are overgrown but ways in to the wooded areas are quick to find. Also, please note the out of bounds areas and courses have been planned to avoid them. The courses have been designed to encourage you into the forest. It is also worth noting that the Orange course leaves the path network to follow a vegetation boundary in one area. There is heavy undergrowth to one side of this boundary which provides additional guidance.
The 3 longer courses also visit Nore Hill to the south of the main woods. This is a much more physical area with some steeper slopes but it also holds a wealth of interesting earth features. There will be one route in and another route out with the 2 separated by steep woodland that is mostly mapped light green. The optimum route through these woods coincides with a narrow strip of white forest and is easily followed. Stray from this at your peril!

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. Dogs must be kept on leads where signs indicate livestock are grazing.

Facilities

Registration, download and portaloos will be in the car parking field, please park as directed by marshals. Bring your own water and food.

Miscellaneous

Safety bearing: West to boundary and then North and West to finish area.

The area is popular with dog walkers, cyclists and horse riders, please give them plenty of room to pass.

Thank you to Forestry England for permission to use Eartham Wood, the National Trust for permission to use Nore Hill and Mr B Brooks for the use of the parking field.

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Chris Hooker

Organiser: Steve Blount

Controller: John Collyer (GO)