RiccartonSat 13 Jun
Local event
Local event
Explanation of event types
Local events are usually low key and in the 'localised' area, ideal for newcomers to try the sport and Training events are non competitive and used for training and coaching, aimed at members of the club, but they can attract people from neighbouring clubs, and are often ideal for newcomers to try the sport. Regional events attract participants from around the local Region, National events are high quality competitions that will attract people from far away, Major events are Major Events such as a British Championships. Virtual events are where there are no physical controls being used. Your presence at a control is registered using an App on your mobile phone, normally the free MapRun App.
Terrain type: Urban & Parkland & Woodland
Results
Officials' Reports
Planners' Comments
Most people seemed to enjoy their visit to this parkland university campus, on courses of various difficulty levels. In order to avoid road crossings, it was necessary for the White and Yellow courses to go out and back along the same path, which I hope did not cause too much confusion. For the Green course, the landscape does not offer enough technical difficulty, so I compensated with lots of changes of direction, route choice, and a really long leg near the end. Almost everyone had a different idea of the best route on this long leg and they are probably all correct, because route choice is very personal! I am sorry for the people who missed a control, however it highlights the fact that this sport is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical one.
Martin Caldwell
Organisers' Comments
Very grateful thanks to the Marriott Court Hotel for the use of a big indoor room for Download and as a space for socialising. Even more grateful thanks to the quite small team of ESOC volunteers whose willing flexibility coped with the large numbers of very variable-ability competitors.
The streamlined Start process was a bit of a surprise to some of the old hands. Martin's courses made the best use of the lovely parkland campus. There were many individual successes and achievements, people from many different parts of Scotland, and best of all, a large number of young children at the ESOC pre-event training.
All looking good for the future of orienteering!
Janet Clark Organiser
Overview
Local event within the Heriot-Watt University campus, based in and around the Marriott Courtyard Hotel. Snacks and drinks will be available to buy in the hotel, please take advantage as we have been given access to their facilities free of charge.
There will be an ESOC Junior training session, catering for TD1-3 (White, Yellow and Orange) levels. before the event (from 12:00-13:00) - see ESOC Matters for the sign-up details
Pre-event Information
Location Info
/-3.3157,55.9112,11/500x400?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGF1bGZyb3N0IiwiYSI6ImNscGg3eGRlMjA0cm8yaW52aGhtY2lxZjQifQ.Lc483ZPI9QPGNrBpcqqywQ)
Near: Edinburgh Lat,Lng: 55.9112,-3.3157 OS Grid Ref: NT178694 Postcode: EH14 4BA What3Words: ///remote.photos.sweat
Open an interactive map in: GoogleMap - OpenStreetMap - AppleMaps - BingMap
Directions / Parking
The event will be based in and around the Marriott Courtyard Hotel on the Heriot-Watt Campus, with download in the lobby, registration outside under the canopy, and parking in Car Park A (TBC).
Enter the campus from Riccarton Mains Road, passing the Marriott Courtyard Hotel, (where Registration will be) and turn right at the first roundabout, then first right following signs for Car Park A. Don't park in the car park for the hotel but use the second car park entrance
Overflow parking at the Hermiston P&R.
Please use public transport if possible
Public Transport Options
By bus: Lothian bus no 70 serves the nearby P&R whilst these city buses 25, 24, 32, 35, 7 45 serve the Heriot-Watt Campus and these Lothian country buses X27, X28, X40 pass close by on Calder Road.
By bike: A variety of quiet cycle route maps throughout the city are available on the Edinburgh City Council Quiet Routes web pages. It will be possible to lock your bike close by Registration while you run.
Map / Terrain
University campus with urban terrain, grassland and wooded areas.
Map scale likely to be 1:3000.
Maps will be printed on waterproof paper with the control descriptions on the front, no loose descriptions.
Note: Riccarton being mainly urban, as opposed to forest terrain, uses a different mapping symbol set - Sprint (ISSprOM 20-19-2. The legend can be found here and includes in particular the symbols indicating out of bounds areas (olive green) and impassable features which must not be crossed eg fences, hedges and walls.
Safety Notes
General notes - please also read the Course specific notes below
- Other Users: This area is very well used by 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 respect any Out of Bounds areas.
- There will be occasional slow-moving traffic on campus, note any restrictions on unaccompanied juniors under Course information.
- Competitor dogs are allowed, to be kept on a lead 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 4pm after which controls will start to be brought in . All competitors should be back at Download by 4pm.
- 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 exposed especially when windy and the grassy slopes slippery if wet, so please wear the most appropriate clothing and footwear for the course you are entering.
Course Information
There will be 5 courses on offer, to suit all abilities.
- White and Yellow for Juniors
- Orange for more experienced juniors and Long Orange for improvers and runners
- A technical course for more experienced orienteers.
NB: Due to traffic moving around the campus, under 16s must be accompanied on all courses except Yellow and White.
| Course | TD | Length | Scale | No of controls | Comments |
| Green | ~5 | 4.5km | 1:4000 | 28 | Under 16s must be accompanied |
| Long Orange | 3 | 4.0km | 1:4000 | 24 | Under 16s must be accompanied |
| Orange | 3 | 3.1km | 1:4000 | 20 | Under 16s must be accompanied |
| Yellow | 2 | 1.9km | 1:3000 | 17 | |
| White | 1 | 1.1km | 1:3000 | 14 |
Entry Details
Pre-entry using RaceSignUp will be required for this event. Entries will open at 10am on Monday1st June and will close at 6pm on Friday12th June.
However to be guaranteed a course map on waterproof paper for your chosen course you MUST pre-enter by 8pm on Monday 8th June.
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:
| Category | BOF Members | SOA Members | Non Members |
| Seniors (26 and over) | £4.50 | £5.50 | £6.50 |
| Juniors/Students/Young adults (21-25) | £2.50 | £3.50 | £4.50 |
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
| Category | BOF members | SOA only members | Non members |
| 2 Seniors | £5.50 | £6.50 | £7.50 |
| 2 Juniors | £3.00 | £4.00 | £5.00 |
| 1 Senior + 1 Junior | £5.00 | £6.00 | £7.00 |
| 1 Senior + 2 Juniors | £5.50 | £6.50 | £7.50 |
| 2 Seniors + 1 Junior | £6.00 | £7.00 | £8.00 |
| 2 Seniors + 2 Juniors | £6.50 | £7.50 | £8.50 |
| 2 Seniors + 3 Juniors | £7.00 | £8.00 | £9.00 |
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 Start times
Registration: At a table outside the south side of the Marriott Courtyard Hotel and will be open from 12:30 -14.15pm for
- Entry on the Day (EOD) if maps are still available. Payment by cash, or card/contactless. Please try to have the correct money if at all possible.
- Collection of hired dibbers and White and Yellow maps:
- Advice and help for beginners
The Start and Finish are both within 200m of Registration, indicated by tapes. The route to both cross an access road which will be marshalled at a zebra crossing. Please make sure any juniors know to only cross the road there
Start Times: From 1.00pm to 2.30pm with course closure at 4pm. You should be back at Download by 4pm as controls will start to be brought in by 4pm 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.
Facilities
- Toilets are available in the hotel - please remove muddy shoes
- The hotel has an all day dining option serving coffee’s and snacks daily
Dog restrictions
Well-behaved dogs on a lead welcome.
Contacts / Officials
For advanced enquiries: email hidden; JavaScript is required
For entry enquiries email hidden; JavaScript is required
Nearest A&E Hospital
See under Important Event Information in the side panel.
NHS Urgent care search