Saughton ParkSat 18 Apr

The event will be based near the The Four Square Park Café buildings close to the Ford’s Road (western) car park which is approached from the junction of Stenhouse Avenue and Stenhouse Terrace. Follow signs for Saughton Sports Complex. Cars cannot approach Ford’s Road from Gorgie Road, as the river bridge is for pedestrians and cycles only.

If this car park is full please park considerately in the surrounding streets.

Edinburgh based orienteers are welcome to join the newly expanded ESOC car sharing WhatsApp group. Please contact email hidden; JavaScript is required for the joining link.

Public Transport: If you live in the city it should be quite easy to reach this event by bus. Check Lothian Buses to plan your route. It may help to know that is Lothian Buses services 3, 25, 30 and 33 have a stop called Saughton Park on Gorgie Road near the junction with Ford’s Road. Follow Ford’s Road over the river bridge to the event arena. Buses 1, 2 and 22 have a stop called Whitson Crescent on Stevenson Drive. This is near to an entrance to the park from which a tarmac pathway takes you SE through the competition area (past a few controls) to the event arena near the café buildings.

By Bike: If you live in or close to the city, you'll find it easy to come to the event by bike. An official cycle path crosses the park from Balgreen Road to Ford’s Road, and passes right past the café buildings in the Park.  

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 and there will be a tent to leave bags.

Busy city centre park with formal gardens, playing fields, play parks, café etc.

The map, first produced in 2020 by Peel Land Surveys (and updated in 2024), will be printed on waterproof paper at 1:2500. Control descriptions will be printed on the the map, loose copies will not be available.

General notes - please also read the Course specific notes below

• Other Users: This park is very well used by the general public, including dog walkers, runners and children. Please respect their right to be there at the same time as you are orienteering.
• There will be occasional slow-moving traffic in the car park
• 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 of wet, so please wear the most appropriate clothing and footwear for the course you are entering.

As usual at ESOC events there will be courses to suit all abilities -planned by two of the older members of the ESMS School orienteering club.

• White and Yellow for Juniors
• Orange for more experienced juniors and Long Orange for improvers and runners
• A more technical course for more experienced orienteers

Read more about Course lengths and Difficulty here

Pre-entry using RaceSignUp will be required for this event. Entries will open at 10am on Monday 26th April and will close at 6pm on Friday 17th April.

However to be guaranteed a course map on waterproof paper for your chosen course you MUST pre-enter by 8pm on Monday 13th April.

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: Will be open from 12:45am -2.15pm outside the Cafe

• 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 will be close to Registration. 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.

Toilets are located near Registration and the Four Square Park café (open 9:30-4:30pm). See their website here