Astley AinslieWed 27 May

The meeting point for this event will be just inside the North gate of the Astley Ainslie at the junction of Newbattle Terrace, Whitehouse Loan and Whitehouse Terrace. There is a pedestrian gate to the east side of the main gate.

There is permit parking in the surrounding neighbourhood which should be free after 5.30pm. Please park considerately in this residential neighbourhood.

Please try to walk, bike or use public transport if at all possible.

Public transport: Please try to use public transport to come to this event if you possibly can. Check Lothian Buses to plan how to get there. Lots of buses to Morningside, or the 24/41 to grange loan, the 5 to Strathern Road or the 38 to Cluny Gardens.

Bike: It should also be easy to come to the event by bike especially if you live in the city or close to the city. A variety of quiet cycle route maps throughout the city are available on the Edinburgh City Council Quiet Routes web pages. It should be possible to find a place to lock your bike while you run.

Terrain is mainly parkland surrounding the Astley Ainsley Hospital buildings, woodland and surrounding streets.

Rubber studded shoes, especially if it is/has been wet, and gaiters are recommended but not essential.
 

Map size is A4 

Please refresh your understanding of the Sprint mapping symbol set - Sprint (ISSprOM 20-19-2) - here and in particular the symbols indicating out of bounds areas (olive green), impassable features which must not be crossed and artificial barriers.

Those new to Urban orienteering can see examples of sprint maps (showing artificial barriers as thick purple lines) on EUOCs Routegadget site here (eg 2024-01-28 BW 24 - Sunday Sprint/Urban)

• There will be other people in the area and there are some narrow paths so please be careful watching out for people running in the opposite direction to you.
• Please avoid running close to local residents homes.
• You must report to Download even if you do not complete your course, so we know you are back safely, and we don’t have to mount a search for you.
• The area may be busy with the general public, including dog walkers, runners and bikers. Please respect their right to be there at the same time as you are orienteering.
• Please give any dog walkers you encounter extra space ie don’t run too close, especially if their dog/dogs are off lead

There will be 2 courses, details TBC

As roads in the hospital grounds carry traffic, all Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Read more about Course lengths and Difficulty here

Pre-Entry strongly advised: Entries will be open on RaceSignUp at 10am on Wednesday 21st May and close at 8pm on Tuesday 26th May

NB. This is a low-key event, beginners and those not used to Urban orienteering should indicate that on the entry form so we can allocate any entered ESOC runners to provide some advice on the map symbols and key safety points.

If you miss the deadline, send an email to email hidden; JavaScript is required to ask about a late entry. Entry on the evening of the event may still be possible but this is subject to spare maps being available, payment by CASH ONLY, please bring the exact change if possible

Remember all under 16s must be accompanied by an adult on the Long and Short courses. Either enter separately but run together or order an extra shadowers map for £1 if only the Junior is entered.

Fees: Senior £4, Junior (under 21)/Student £2. Shadowers map £1

Si dibbers are free to hire (via the entry form) but there is £30 charge if lost

Registration will be open shortly before the first start time at 6.30pm. Pre-entered competitors with their own dibbers can head straight to the start which will be close by.

START PERIOD: 6.30pm - 7.30pm.

COURSE CLOSURE: Courses will close at 8.30pm. If you are unsure about how long you will take to go around your course please come and start early.

FINISH AND DOWNLOAD will be close to Registration. It is essential to report to DOWNLOAD as a safety check that all competitors have returned.

• There are no toilets available but there are numerous options for calling in at a supermarket or shopping centre on your way to the event.
• A first aid kit will be available at Registration