SOG A2 Tilgate Park Sat 18 October, 2025

Report

Thanks to all who came and embraced an unfamiliar SOG format on a pleasant autumnal day. Using Tilgate was a somewhat last minute decision when permission to use a new area was not forthcoming, and the suggestion was to use the new Sprint map from the summer Park-O series. I suggested extending it to the west to include the lovely wooded section to the south of the buildings, and Euan Marsh kindly created a map using the old 2018 survey for the additional section, which I updated selectively, hoping that with judicious control site selection, it would suffice. The result was far from a perfect map, but I felt it was just about adequate, and worth using to make more interesting courses. The resulting area was still pretty small for a SOG, hence the idea of a loop race for the longer courses, using a format which those who regularly attend the Wednesday Army events will be familiar with. Judging by the comments I heard, most people enjoyed something a little different, and it was certainly fun for me standing at the start and watching some head scratching and false starts at the map swap. It’s surprisingly disorientating to have to come back to the start, pick up a new map and reset yourself mentally for a new course.

I would like to thank Neil Crickmore for his input as event advisor and patience over some map printing issues, the super slick SI team (Penny, Mike, and Samantha) for taking on board the added challenge of the loops, and control collectors (Garry, Chris, Sarah and the other Alan) for their sterling efforts. Hope to see you all at Abbots Wood in a couple of weeks for a very different challenge, but hopefully equally good weather!

Alan Velecky

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

Note the later (10:30) start time.

We are also welcoming Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers to come and test their navigation and have a go at Orienteering at this event. They can walk or run at their own pace, go in groups, or individuals or maybe with family members. This will count towards Navigator Staged badges as well as the Orienteer Badge for Scouts. Some of our Club Members will be on hand to help get people started. If Scout Leaders or parents have questions do get in contact with Anna Chapman.

We recommend the yellow or orange course if you're not experienced.

Location Info

Nearest town: Crawley

• Postcode: RH10 5PQ *
• Lat,Lng: 51.09601,-0.17860
• Grid Ref: TQ275345
• 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

Free parking is available off Tilgate Drive (approaching from the West). Main parking is located in the main Tilgate Car Park – Download/Enquiries will be located adjacent to this.

Prices:

Up to 1 hour - £1.50

Up to 2 hours - £3.00

Up to 3 hours - £4.50

Up to 4 hours - £6.00

Public Transport

To reach Tilgate Park by public transport, take the Metrobus 2 which stops directly at the park's main entrance. You can also take a train to Crawley Station (1.6 miles away) or Three Bridges Station (2.1 miles away) and then use a further bus or taxi, or walk / cycle to reach the park.

Course Information

This event uses an exciting loop race format for Blue, Green and Short Green courses, the first time this has been used for a SOG! In addition to the normal challenge of navigating round your course, you will need to keep your concentration as you return to the start area where other runners will be coming and going, pick up a new map for your next loop, and tackle a different section of the area.

There are 3 loops which start and finish at the same place, competitors on Blue, Green and Short Green colour coded courses run different combinations of 3 loops as follows:

Blue course – Loop order A, B, C – total 5.7k, 120m climb, 24 controls

Green course – Loop order C, A – total 4.5k, 95m climb, 16 controls

Short Green course – Loop order B, C – total 3.3k, 65m climb, 15 controls

Competitors start as normal, and punch a last control which is common to all 3 loops. At the end of your loop you drop off your map in a collection box adjacent to the start, and pick up the map for your next loop from the relevant map collection box by the start. It is your responsibility to pick up the correct next loop map for your colour coded course, this will not be supervised.

The finish control is only punched at the end of their completion of all loops for your course. If you mistakenly punch the finish control between loops, you can continue your run, but if using SIAC, contactless will not work, and you will need to dib for the remainder of your run.

Please familiarise yourself with the layout of start, map pick up boxes, map collection box, and finish before starting your run. Please also ensure you know which loops you will be running for your colour coded course. There will be signs at the start / finish to jog your memory!

Orange and Yellow courses will be conventional non-loop format and are as follows:

Orange course – 2.4k, 50m climb, 16 controls

Yellow course – 1.4k, 25m climb, 11 controls

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.
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

10:15 - 11:15

Start Times

Starts 10:30-11:30. Note the later start time due to the Park Run activity taking place earlier.

Map Details

Scale 1:4000, 5m contours. Extended version of new sprint map created for Park-O event in July 2025

Mapped and converted to ISSprOM 2019-2, survey 2018 by Neil Crickmore with updates September 2025 by Euan Marsh & Alan Velecky.

Terrain Description

Tilgate features a wide variety of terrains, including large sections of open parkland, portions of runnable woodland and an intricate path network, as well as sections of bracken, bramble and holly. There are large water features in the area including several lakes which are uncrossable and unsafe to enter.

The access road stretches across much of the Northern boundary of the map. If used, please use the wide pavement rather than running on the road. Cars should be slow moving due to the 20 mph limit and speed bumps.

There is a GoApe outdoor adventure centre which operates in part of the woodland. This has been marked out of bounds on the maps but not on the ground, and is not to be entered. Blue and Green courses only pass close to this area

Dog restrictions

Well behaved dogs under close control allowed on the courses. Please pick up after your dog.

Facilities

Public toilets, play park, cafe

Miscellaneous

Full leg cover is strongly recommended for loop race courses which are approximately 50% in wooded terrain.

Courses close at 13:00

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Alan Velecky

Organiser:

Controller / Event Adviser: