SOG A1Southwick HillSat 03 October, 2026

Report

Planners report:

Phew! Another event planned and completed… and as seems to be normal for me, not without some dramas along the way. I took on Southwick Hill with a limited amount of time available in my diary, and at first all was going well, with courses looking good ‘on paper’. Then came my first visit to the area: my start location was no good, the finish completely inaccessible and many of the route choices I had devised had been devoured by bramble and gorse. So that went in the bin and Chris very promptly re-mapped the whole area - that was 4 weeks ago.

The courses you saw today were planned in spare half-hours here and there, with Ian providing useful guidance and suggestions along the way, and we just about got them to Neil for printing before his deadline. Roll on another 2 weeks, I leave work on Friday and head over to put out control stakes, only to find someone’s created a motorway through my courses! Worse still, early Saturday morning, I arrive to put out control boxes and find I’ve got a flask of hot, sweet water… forgot to put any coffee in it!! Gail came to the rescue on that one and was also tremendous on the start, allowing me to deal with a couple of other issues that had arisen.

So many others also had a part in making SOG1 happen: Mile Oak Farm, our superb SI team, control collectors, Garry for making Route Gadget available in super fast time, everyone who deals with the admin and logistics aspects of each and every event, those of you who offered to help with tasks in the morning without being asked - SO really is a fantastic team to be a part of. Also many thanks to everyone who had kind words afterwards, and those with such polite and constructive suggestions of how I might have improved some details - it’s great to learn from those with experience to offer.

It was super to see some new faces today, and congratulations to them for their achievements… orienteering is not an easy sport, especially for the newcomer, but Rob’s introductory courses were a great way to begin learning how it works. Hopefully we’ll see you again soon and watch your progress with interest.

And finally, I stayed for a while after the event, enjoyed a cup of tea, watched the ships coming into Shoreham harbour and applauded some nutters doing the South Downs 100 mile Ultra race - you may have seen the arrows marking their route - they had it easy, didn’t even have to navigate their way around (o:

marky

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.

Location Info

Nearest town: Mile Oak

• Postcode: BN41 2RF *
• Lat,Lng:50.85760,-0.23640
• Grid Ref: TQ242079
• 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

From the A27 take the A270 or A293 towards Portslade. Head north on Mile Oak Road and under the A27. Parking in a field opposite Mile Oak Farm shop & cafe. Please do not park on Mile Oak Road as it needs to remain clear for large farm vehicles. The parking field is not suitable for low sports cars or large camper vans.

What3words: buck.motion.dent

Public Transport

Fishersgate railway station 3.5km; Chrisdory Road bus stop (on Mile Oak Road) 700m

Course Information

Yellow: 1.6km with 50m climb

Orange: 2.2km with 75m climb

Short Green: 2.6km with 95m climb

Green: 3.6km with 120m climb

Blue: 4.8km with 150m 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

1:7500 with contours 5m
Re-surveyed early September 2026 by Chris Hooker primarily to update vegetation and path network, however brambles grow very quickly so both are evolving continuously.

Terrain Description

Open chalk grassland with areas of dense vegetation (primarily gorse and bramble) and a complex network of paths and tracks. Extensive views over the South Downs and to the sea. There is a steep slope to the north east. Courses have been planned around the undergrowth and excessive climbing is avoided, however some short steep inclines (both up and down) are inevitable.

Dog restrictions

Dogs on lead in parking field. Dogs are welcome on the area, but must be kept on leads where signs indicate. Clean up after your dog.

Facilities

Mile Oak Farm (adjacent to assembly) has a café and farm shop.

Miscellaneous

Route from parking to start is a 20m climb in the first 100m (contouring possible to make it easier), a stile and a further 200m fairly flat.

Yellow, orange and short green courses finish on a downward slope of about 20m descent in the final 80m - plenty of width to pass each other, but please take care and be considerate of others. Finish to download is about 300m, on a downward slope initially. Start and finish are remote. All courses pass through fairly narrow gateways so pushchairs will present a challenge.

Full arm and leg cover compulsory; gaiters recommended, especially for those wishing to go off the paths.

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Marky Saunders

Organiser:

Controller: