Saughton ParkSun 18 Aug

Ultrasprint

Last updated: Tue 20 August, 2024

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.

Results

Results are here

Winsplits are here

Overall Results are here

Officials' Reports

Organisers' Comments

This event was blustery, beautiful and great fun. I arrived bright and early to claim the nearest parking space to our base, and found the maze team already up and running with their measuring tape, maze tape and proprietary drone technology. The maze had been expertly designed by Martin to take the shape of the WOC logo. I can't emphasize enough the enjoyment runners got from the puzzle this set, it was a real triumph. The Ultrasprint always takes the form of three sprint courses which each visit the maze at various points. I heard a lot of appreciation for the variety and interest of the courses in what might be thought to be a fairly staid area for orienteering. It was good to see new orienteers taking on the challenge, and also to see the quite impressive speeds being run by the veterans, as the courses criss-crossed the field we were working in. My volunteer team swung easily into action - they could hardly be restrained from taking tasks on, identifying and solving problems, and generally filling the event with purposeful good cheer. Many thanks to everyone involved. Thanks are also due to a shadow team who had worked on a previous version of the event which had to be pulled at the last minute due to unexpected permissions issues. Janet was, of course, the common factor between the two versions and the driving force behind getting the Saughton Park plan in place with very little time in hand. As usual, I found that "organising" an ESOC event is really a very straightforward role, with the excellent events team doing much of the running.

Catherine MacColl

Overview

The annual ESOC Ultrasprint, fast and furious racing with every course visiting a maze at least once. An exciting event with something for everyone.

Very late change of venue so some enforced changes to the usual process ... read on.

Pre-event Information

Location Info

Near: Edinburgh
Lat,Lng: 55.93372,-3.25074
Postcode: EH11 3HR
What3Words: :///begins.bank.last

Open an interactive map in:
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Directions / Parking

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 Options

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.

Map / Terrain

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.

Safety Notes

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
Dogs: Competitor’s dogs are NOT allowed in the Maze 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 4:30pm after which controls will start to be brought in . All competitors should be back at Download by 4:30pm.
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.

Course Information

There will be 3 separate short course each be around 1 - 1.5km in length and all visit the maze at some point. These courses will not have control codes in the second column of the control descriptions. It is up to you to make sure, by accurate map reading, that you are at the right control. The winner's time is the combined time for Courses 1, 2 and 3. A penalty of 2 minutes will be added to your time for each control wrongly punched.

You will be allocated to a course for your 1st run at 'check' then join the other queues when you come back for your 2nd and 3rd runs.

DOWNLOAD: You must download immediately after you complete each course. You are then free to clear your SI dibber and start your next course.

You will be given a new map each time and can keep them all.

Unfortunately, it has not been possible to have a Maze only course this year. Instead we can offer one of the short courses free to enter on the day for juniors or non-members. Pre-book a map by contacting email hidden; JavaScript is required

Entry Details

Advance entry via Race-signup is required. Entries will be open on Tuesday 6^th August but to guarantee a set of Ultrasprint maps, on waterproof paper, please enter by 2pm on Tuesday 13th August.

Online entries will remain open until 6pm on Saturday 17th August, but anyone who enters after the stock of waterproof maps has been used up will have to use a non-waterproof version.

There will be limited entry at the event at registration, only between 1-2pm, but this will be subject to maps being available and late entrants may need to use non-waterproof maps. Payment by cash or contactless.

ENTRY FEES:

Seniors (age 26 and over)

BOF members: £8
SOA members: £9
Non-Members: £10

Juniors, Students, Young Adults (age 21-25)

BOF members: £5
SOA members: £6
Non-Members: £7

Entry Fees cover all three sprint courses (a 3-map bundle).

Free SI card hire, if required, but £30.00 charge will be made if lost. Note that SIAC will NOT be used for any controls (it won’t work because of the close proximity of the maze controls).

Registration and Start times

REGISTRATION: Will be in a tent within sight of the car park, look out for the banners, and will be open from 1pm to 2:30pm

START and DOWNLOAD: These will be very close to Registration.

START TIMES: 1st race: 13.30 – 14.30 2nd race: up to 15.00 3rd race: up to 15.30

Please arrive in plenty of time to complete all your courses by the course closure time of 16.30.

There are no allocated start times. First start is from 13.30 as above and the start procedure is described under 'Course Information'.

DOWNLOAD: You must download immediately after you complete each course. You are then free to clear your SI dibber and start your next course.

Facilities

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

Dog restrictions

Sorry but due to the nature of the Maze (and all the tape) dogs are not allowed in the maze but can be taken on the rest of the course(s)..

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.

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