Sunny Sussex Weekend - Long Friston Forest Sun 10 May, 2026

Report

Planners Report

First, I would like to extend a huge thank you to all 241 of you who turned up today; this is certainly one of the best attendances that we have had over here in East Sussex! I hope you had a great day despite the duller conditions, although these were perhaps more suitable for running on longer courses. I would also like to thank you for all the kind comments afterwards suggesting a high level of enjoyment despite the cruel climb near the end.

The planning process started way back in February when there was no undergrowth and virtually all the tracks and rides had been freshly mown, a pleasant surprise although I knew that there would be fresh Spring growth at some point. Unfortunately, this finally happened over the past week which introduced some challenges getting in and out of some blocks which I’d hoped would be avoided! Judging from comments afterwards you faced this with the characteristic orienteer’s fortitude and just got on with it.

From a planning perspective I was pleasantly surprised last year to find the NW corner had become runnable again after years of deep bramble growth and, knowing that it held some good features, I was keen to get the longer courses in there. I hope you felt it was worth the effort. Other than that, my main goal was to encourage you into the forest, give you some route choice and explore the relatively feature rich sections of the forest.

Looking at the results, I was pleased to find that times were as hoped. I can see that some controls caused a few problems but interestingly these were different for different courses. And, weirdly, I can see examples where a certain leg has caused more problems on one course than another. Perhaps runners were suffering from more oxygen debt on those courses.

Finally, these events can’t happen without a huge volunteer effort. Samantha has thanked everyone involved already but I would like to add my thanks to Andrew Evans for all his support as Controller, it’s always a pleasure to work with him. I would also like to thank Samantha for being an excellent organiser without whom the event couldn’t have happened, Alan V for putting out some White and Yellow controls when I knew I was going to be in for a very long evening setting up the courses, and Garry G, Peter S, Tim B and Liam M for helping to collect in the controls after the event, as well as everyone else involved in the running of this event. A huge thank you!
I look forward to seeing you at the next SSW where I might get to have a run!

Chris H

Organisers comments

Thank you for joining Southdowns Orienteers for the National long distance event in Friston forest today.

Yesterday, I was concerned about competitors becoming dehydrated and disoriented in the sunshine, today the wind chill factor made it feel more like 4o.

I hope you will have seen the rather lengthy list of helpers who made yesterday’s Regional event possible. Steve and Jill B were back at the start, aided by Simon W, seeing you head off on planner Chris Hooker’s excellent courses. As Chris had mapped the area, he explored all of its potential, while leaving plenty for Alan Velecky to use yesterday. I know he has had many appreciative comments. The controller Andrew Evans DFOK was out early to check the courses, and has been helpful and supportive at every stage of the planning process.

Our dedicated Si team of Joe and Penny, who managed download for all three events, were assisted by Mike R today so they were able to get their run in too.

Behind the scenes, Joe H, Tim H, Pete C and Robin W got you parked safely. Jane and Linda H were ‘happy to help’, and the Southdowns Juniors helped to run/eat the cake stall. Thanks again to Bea and Laura for keeping order, and the Chapman family for looking after the maze again. Such a shame we didn’t have more children at the event to enjoy it.

At the finish, you were cheered home by Dave C, Sue C and Judy H. Ian J helped collect in the event signs.

Our award ceremony was officiated by Club Captain Neil C , chair Alan W and Anna C. Control collectors and Chris H were soon back out in the forest- big thanks to Garry G, Liam M, Tim B, Darren W-S and Pete S.

As you may be aware we lost our usual caterer Tom’s (Warren and Kirsty) burger van due to mechanical failure. Thanks to Victoria at Sublime coffee and Dan at Road grill for stepping in at very short notice.

We have acquired some lost property- a set of O half moon glasses, and a jaunty blue polka dot bandana- please email [email protected] to arrange collection/return.

There are also several unclaimed prizes- some nice patch badges for eligible Juniors. Again, please email me if you would like to arrange collection. We have sent some prizes back with your fellow club members.

Wishing you all a safe journey home. Hope to see you back next year for Sunny Sussex weekend 2027.

Samantha Gibson
Organiser

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

Day 2 of the Sunny Sussex weekend. Come and enjoy long distance courses through the beautiful beech woodlands of the South Downs.

Get your entries in by 8pm on Friday 8th May.

Final details.

Location Info

Nearest town: Eastbourne

• Postcode: *
• Lat,Lng: 50.78510,0.21170
• Grid Ref:
• 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

Signed off of Jevington Road.

• Grid Reference: TQ560007
• Nearest Postcode: BN26 5QN
• What3words: puzzle.name.dots

Flat grass field. Park as directed by marshals

Public Transport

Nearest train station is Polegate

Course Information

Prizes to be awarded to the first three places in each of the following age groups:

W 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 35, 40-45, 50-55, 60-65, 70, 75-80, 85-90

M 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 35-40, 45-50, 55-60, 65-70, 75, 80, 85-90

Provisional course lengths:

• Black - 10.9k, 400m climb
• Brown - 9.6k, 300m climb
• Short Brown - 7.4k, 220m climb
• Blue - 6 0k, 200m climb
• Short Blue - 4.9k, 165m climb
• Green - 4.0k, 145m climb
• Short Green (suitable for Light Green runners) - 3.3k, 95m climb
• Very Short Green - 2.9k, 80m climb
• Orange - 2.7k, 85m climb
• Yellow - 2.0k, 65m climb
• White - 1.5k, 35m climb

Punching start and finish. All other controls will be SIAC enabled.

Entry Details

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

£16.00 BOF Senior/£6.50 BOF Junior up to 27^th April 2026

£17.00 BOF Senior/£6.50 BOF Junior up to 7^th May 2026 (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 £8.00

See series info at the beginning for discounts available.

Registration

10.15am - 12.15pm

Start Times

10.30am - 12.30pm. Courses close 2.30hrs

Map Details

1:10,000 with 5m contours. A4.

Terrain Description

Runnable beech forest crossed by rides and cycling trails

Dog restrictions

On a lead in the parking field. In the forest, keep dogs in sight and close-by; use a lead if they don’t always return when called. Clean up after your dog.

Facilities

Sublime coffee will be providing barista coffee, tea and cold drinks from their vintage horse box trailer.

Hot food will be provided by Road Grill- chips, burgers, hotdogs etc. Vegetarian options available.

A cake sale will be taking place to raise funds for the Southdowns Junior squad.

Children's maze

Portable toilets

Bring our own water

Miscellaneous

Safety bearing: East to the field and then downhill to the car park.

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

Biosecurity Measures: Before attending the event, please ensure that your orienteering footwear/gaiters are clean. 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.

Thank you to Forestry England for permission to use Friston Forest and Mr S Carr for the use of the parking field. His pub The Sussex Ox at Alfriston serves dishes using beef and lamb reared on his farm.

Long Man Brewery offer a 10% discount to competitors visiting the brewery over the SSW. You can find them at Church Farm, Litlington, BN26 5RA www.longmanbrewery.com

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Chris Hooker

Organiser: Samantha Gibson

Controller / Event Adviser: Andrew Evans