KNC 3North AshdownThu 27 February, 2025

Near: Wych Cross
Level of event: Local
Type of event: Race, Night, Score

Results

Report

Thank you all for coming along to North Ashdown. It was notable to see a large number of you deliberating on a route before setting off from the start kite. Hopefully you were given much to consider as opposed to it being your brains still warming up!

Apologies to those of you affected by control 90 not being at its intended location. At some point after being correctly deployed late in the afternoon, it was resited to a random location some 300m to the west by a phantom of the forest. Very frustrating when the required permissions have been granted and courtesy notice of our event was distributed. However, some of you did gain by picking up 10 luck points on route from 95 to 98. EDIT: In the interest of fairness, points for a punch at 90 have now been disallowed and removed from scores. Race time and splits remain unchanged.

Compared to the 2023 event where a maximum score was achievable, the results indicate that it is now quite a physical area to run on which is probably not truly reflected on the current map. Well done to you all.

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

SI team - Penny and Joe
Control collectors - Chris, Hal, Neil, Rollo and Will
Support - Karen, Chris, Mike, Neil and Steve
The Conservators of Ashdown Forest

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

SO's final contribution to this seasons Kent Night Cup league is a two part tour covering the varied terrain of North Ashdown Forest.

Location Info

Nearest town: Wych Cross

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

Directions / Parking

Broadstone Car Park, 300m east of Ashdown Forest Centre on Colemans Hatch Road.

A parking fee applies: Up to 2 hours - £2.50. Up to 4 hours - £4.00. Payment on arrival can be made via one of the following methods:

  • Payment machine at Ashdown Forest Centre
  • Phone call 0330 333 8446
  • Parking apps: Horizon Spaces, Your Parking Space, Ring Go, Just Park, or Pay by Phone

Alternatively, you can pay in advance via horizonspaces.co.uk. Your BOF membership discount for Your Parking Space will also be accepted by Horizon.

The Location ID is the same for all car parks in Ashdown Forest: 661122.

Please note that the Conservators of Ashdown Forest retains 75% of park proceeds, which is used to maintain and improve the Forest as a public amenity.

Public Transport

Nearest train station East Grinstead.

Course Information

A 20 control score event. 10 controls (and the start) are located north of the Colemans Hatch road and another 10 (and the finish) south of the road. Collect as many of the northern controls as you want before crossing the road at the single, specified crossing point. There is a non-scoring control which every competitor must punch when crossing the road. Once you have crossed the road you can't cross back over again.

Controls will be SIAC enabled except for the start and finish.

Visibility is good at the road crossing but note that although the speed limit is 40mph, judging distance in headlight glare can be difficult. Only cross when it is safe to do so.

Entry Details

Pre-entry via Racesignup.co.uk

BOF member fees: Seniors £5.00, Juniors £2.50, SO Juniors free. Non member fees: Seniors £6.00, Juniors £2.50.

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

Juniors under the age (actual age) of 16 are not allowed to run unaccompanied.

Registration

Eastern end of car park. Please be ready at 19:20 for a walk to the start and briefing.

Start Times

Mass start at 19:30. Course closes 20:45.

Map Details

A4, 1:10,000 with 5m contours. Surveyed by Roger Maher, March 2020. Minor updates, February 2025.

Terrain Description

North Ashdown Forest is a mixture of heathland and birch woods with two streams and some areas of marsh. The area is split by Colemans Hatch Road, north of road is a fairly exposed north facing slope. The dead bracken isn't completely flat and there are some areas of gorse which can be avoided.

Dog restrictions

Dogs must be kept under close control at all times on the Forest. Please clean up after your dog.

Facilities

None.

Miscellaneous

Although it is unlikely that you will encounter other users at night, this is a shared area and also home to a number of residents. It is possible that there may be dog walkers, do not run up behind and startle them. Please be respectful and give them room.

Safety: Competitors are advised to wear clothing suitable for the weather conditions on the day. In the event of poor weather cagoules may be made compulsory. Studded shoes and gaiters would be a good choice.

Along with your headtorch, the carrying of a backup lighting device and a whistle is strongly recommended. A whistle or mobile phone is mandatory if you have existing medical conditions, for newcomers to night orienteering and for juniors.

Safety bearing - South to road then West or North to road then West, keeping off the road.

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Garry Greenstreet

Organiser:

Controller: