Hillend Park

ESOC local event in Edinburgh and the Lothians

Wed 13th May 2015

Info updated: 18th Feb
Type of event: Local
Type of terrain: Moorland

Results

Hillend is the best place to be for an evening run on a good night and the worst on a bad one. We were lucky that tonight was one of the best nights; sunny, lovely views, brilliant yellow and green colours on the hillside; good hill training for the young and fit, and easier courses for the less experienced. It was specially good to see several of the newer members of ESOC here tonight; also a big group from the University, several families of young children and quite a few first-timers, in addition to the usual regular gluttons for the punishment of a tough hill run.
Thank you to everyone who came, to the Planner Martin Caldwell, and to all the members of ESOC who made the event run smoothly.

Janet Clark Organiser 0131 225 7771

General Information

Dress: Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately. Even though this area is on the edge of the city of Edinburgh the weather can be unpredictable, especially at higher levels which the longest course is likely to reach.

Terrain: Open hillside, steep in places, with rock and contour detail and some areas of vegetation. Midlothian Ski Slope is on the map but is out of bounds to orienteers.

Other Users: Hillend is used by the general public including other runners. Please respect their right to be there at the same time as you are orienteering there.

Dogs: Hillend is very popular with dog walkers so dogs are welcome.

Location

Nearest town: Edinburgh

Grid Ref: NT243667
Postcode: EH10 7DU
Latitude: 55.89242
Longitude: -3.20187
Google Map (aerial) - Bing Map (OS)

Directions

Head for Midlothian Ski Centre which is immediately south of the Lothianburn junction on the Edinburgh City Bypass (A720). Registration will be in the small upper car park to the left as you enter the car parking area.

Registration & Start Times

REGISTRATION: This will be from 6pm to 7pm in the small car park on the left as you enter the car parking area next to the ski slope buildings. It is not necessary - or possible – to pre-enter for this event. Everyone is very welcome, just to turn up.

Please try to come and start early if you think you might take a long time over your course.

START AND FINISH will be very close to the car parking. Start times will be from 6pm to 7pm.

COURSE CLOSURE TIME: This will be posted at Registration. Please make sure you check this especially if you start towards the end of the Start period or if you think you could take a long time on your course.

Course Information

There will be White, Yellow and Orange courses and a course for more experienced orienteers. The course for more experienced orienteers is likely to reach the more exposed open hillside on the higher part of the Pentland Hills.

Explanation of colour courses

White are very easy with all controls on paths. They are mainly used by 6-10 year olds and family groups.
Yellow use simple linear features like paths, walls and streams. They are mainly used by under 12’s and family groups.
Orange progress to basic use of the compass and route choice. They are ideal for novice adults or experienced youngsters.
Light Green are ideal for improvers as the navigational difficulty begins to increase and uses simple contours and point features.
Green are used mostly by experienced under 18’s and adults wanting a short but challenging course with a very hard navigational difficulty.
Blue are a longer, more physically demanding course in comparison to the green. The distances are more varied between controls and the course attracts experienced orienteers.
Brown & Black are very physically demanding and have a very hard navigational difficulty. They are for experienced orienteers only.
Score means visiting as many controls as possible in any order in a specific time, like 45mins.

Entry Details

Seniors (born 1994 or earlier)
British Orienteering members - £3
Non-members - £5

Juniors (born 1995 or later)
British Orienteering members - £2
Non-members - £2.50

Students
British Orienteering members - £2
Non-members - £2.50

Groups (Adults + children)
British Orienteering members - £4
Non- members - £5

SportIdent (SI) electronic timing will be used. If you have your own SI please bring it with you. We will have SIs for hire free of charge but there is a £30 charge if lost.

Contacts / Officials

Phone Janet on 0131 225 7771

Safety and Risk

A comprehensive risk assessment will have been carried out by the organiser, but participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event.

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