SOG A6Selhurst & CoachingSat 09 December, 2023

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

Results

Report

The weather was atrocious at the beginning of the day. I was very pleased and relieved that so many turned out. Thanks to you all. I heard that there was a large number at the training session which was wonderful to hear. Well done Anna and her team.

Many thanks to all the volunteers especially those who had to turn up early in the worst of the weather. Thanks to Matt H for helping put out the Si boxes and the start, to Fred T and Sam E for dealing with the main car park and David W who was left on his own to manage the west car park. The full force of the very wet and strong south westerly was their lot. Thanks to the trusty SI team of Joe and Paul who managed expertly even with one man down. Can’t forget the control collectors Neil C, Michael M, Peter S and the Hulley’s, but I have to say that the weather turned out mild and dry for them, so no special mention! But seriously, thanks. The contingent from SLOW kindly offered help the night before and I hope they were not disappointed when I told them that we had plenty of SO volunteers. Teresa Turner did pop over and help with the start however. Thanks also to all those club ‘officials’ who organise much before events.

In terms of the planning, the little Dormouse restricted the use of parts of the forest as did the second car parking, limiting some possible route choices back towards the finish area. However, from the positive comments made, I think the slightly restricted area offered good runnable terrain and within the courses some reasonable route choices. Mike G, as ever there to ‘vet’ planning efforts and suggesting improvements with such diplomacy.

Last but not least to Sue P for putting controls out, organising the start and dealing with the more intellectually demanding pre-event paperwork. Oh, and correcting much of my work.

Barrie P

P.S. later in the day the control collectors had lovely views of the sea and IOW.

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 both children and adults. This is part of our monthly coaching programme. Younger juniors who are on white or yellow courses or just starting out will be with Karen. Parents may stay with juniors if they are new to it or very young.

Older juniors who are running orange courses, juniors who are at secondary school and adults will be working with another coach to practice and learn a variety of important skills.

Please register your interest in good time on Spond or with Anna if you don't have the Spond app. Please note trainees will be meeting in the western car park. Meet at the training hub tent at 9:45, ready to start at 10am. Please pre-enter for your course as normal, you will have time to run after the coaching.

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: Goodwood

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

Directions / Parking

What3Words: mystified.inhaler.sunshine

From south, east and west, from A27 take A285 N toward Petworth. After 7.7km turn left (W) onto Selhurstpark Road signed to Goodwood. Car park is 1.2km on right.

From north, pick up A285 in Petworth and head south toward Chichester for 11.6km. Turn right (W) into Selhurstpark Road signed to Goodwood. Car park 1.2km on right.

Please share cars, space is tight, there is a 49 car limit on this event. NO PEDESTRIANS OR PARKING ON ROAD.

Public Transport

Chichester train and bus stations 8 miles

Course Information

Blue 5.4km, green 4.3km, short green 3.0km, orange 2.5km, yellow 1.6km.

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.

SO members fees: SO Seniors £5.00, 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

Registration open

9:45 to 10:45

Start Times

10:00 to 11:00. Courses close at 12:30.

Map Details

Scale 1;10,000. Updated by Peel Surveys spring 2023 with minor amendments November 2023

Terrain Description

Northern wooded scarp slope with four dry valleys and a variety of trees and wildlife. There is a moderate network of tracks and paths. Small areas of favourable dormouse habitats have been marked OOB and courses planned to avoid these. Uninterrupted views of Halnaker Windmill, the coast and the I.O.W. from the car parks.

Dog restrictions

Yes, on leads in the car parks and near the OOB areas please. Otherwise, under close control in the forest.

Facilities

First Aid box at Download/Registration
No toilets

Miscellaneous

Training attendees are asked to park 100m to the west of the main car park (what3words: outhouse.prefect.lousy). Marshalled parking alongside forest tracks just inside the gate. NO PEDESTRIANS OR PARKING ON THE ROAD

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Sue & Barrie Pearson

Organiser:

Controller: