Hailes Quarry ParkSat 14 Dec

The Assembly and Start will be in the field area in the southern part of the map closest to the canal.

By Car: No specific parking for this event. Park in the surrounding streets eg Dumbryden Road or near Kingsknowe rail station. Please be considerate to local residents who may not be used to people parking near their homes to go to events in the Park.

By Bus: It should be easy to get to the event by public transport (the Lothian Bus garage is close by). Check Lothian Buses website to plan your journey. Service 44 is closest but 34 and 36 will also get you close to the event.

By Train: Kingsknowe station is close by

By Bike: 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 close by while you run.

Small city park with patches of woodland and a wetland, the map extends into some quiet residential streets.

Course maps will printed at 1:2500 and 2.5m CI (TBC) on waterproof paper with control descriptions on the front, no loose descriptions on the day.

• Other Users: This area is very well used by the general public, including dog walkers, cyclists, runners and children's games. Please respect their right to be there at the same time as you are orienteering.
• Dogs: Competitor’s dogs are allowed and should be kept under very close control at all times.
• SAFETY NOTE RE DOGS: Please give any dog walkers you encounter whilst running on your course extra space ie don’t run too close, especially if their dog/dogs are off lead. This applies to all competitors, not just those running with a dog. We always need to respect other people's right to be there.
• Course Closure Time: All courses have a closure time of 3pm after which controls will start to be brought in . All competitors should be back at Download by 3pm..
• 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.
• Please check the weather forecast on the day and dress appropriately. The area can be muddy and slippery of wet, so please wear the most appropriate clothing and footwear for the course you are entering..

These courses are available to enter - courses White, Yellow and Orange are all within the park but the Long Orange has some controls in an adjacent area of quiet residential streets – for adults and experienced older juniors only.

The Long Orange can be run as Map Memory - at each control there will be the piece of map showing your next leg with details of the control and description. You can take a map in your back pocket just in case or collect a copy, once you’ve finished, as a souvenir.

STOP PRESS - the planner says that the Orange course can also be run as Map Memory

The Festive element revolves around jokes (the kind you find in crackers) – at every control on the white and yellow courses there will be a festive joke. If you can remember the jokes you will get bonus points.

1 joke - 1 bonus point, 2 - 3 jokes - 2 bonus points and 3 -5 jokes 3 bonus points.

There will be a special prize for the best original festive joke. We will have pens for you to write them up at the event.

Read more about Course lengths and Difficulty here

Pre-entry using RaceSignUp is preferred for this event, Entries will open at 10am on Monday 2nd December and will close at 6pm on Friday 13th December.

However to be guaranteed a course map on waterproof paper for your chosen course you MUST pre-enter by 8pm on Monday 9th December.

We will print some extra waterproof maps for late entries. After the cut-off date, if your preferred course is full (see entry limits on the RaceSignUp page), contact email hidden; JavaScript is required and we may be able to offer you a non-waterproof version (at the same cost).

Also on the RaceSignUp page (first time users will need to create an account) you can view an entry list for all competitors and their chosen start blocks (scroll down to the Start List section). Please note that you can arrive at the start any time within your block.

Entry Fees:

As well as individuals the entry system also allows pairs, groups or families who wish to go round a course together (sharing one map and dibber) to enter using a sliding scale of fees. Full details of how to enter pairs and groups (or as a Student) are on the RaceSignUp entry page. NB The RaceSignUp entry process for these categories has also changed for 2024

SportIdent (SI) electronic timing will be used.

We have SI dibbers for hire free of charge via the pre-entry system but there is a £30 charge if lost.

If you would like to buy your own SI-Card then a variety are available directly from SportIdent UK. The choice may be confusing and it may help you to know that the SI-Cards which ESOC hires out are very similar to the most basic model shown on the linked page - the SI-Card 8.

Registration and Download: Will be open from 11:45am -1.15pm in a tent (look out for the banner

• Entry on the Day (EOD) if maps are still available. Payment by cash or by card/contactless. Please try to have the correct money if paying by cash.
• Collection of hired dibbers, White and Yellow maps:
• Advice and help for beginners

Start Times: From 12.00pm to 1.30pm with course closure at 3pm. You should be back at Download by 4pm as controls will start to be brought in by 3pm so if you think you'll take a long time to complete your course please enter early so you can choose an early start time.

There are no Toilets onsite. Please use the facilities of supermarkets or shopping centres on your route