Saughton ParkSun 20 Aug
ESOC Ultrasprint
Local level event
Explanation of event levels
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: Parkland
Results
Officials' Reports
Planners Comments
The circular maze was intended to give a fun challenge to competitors, aiming to disorientate them by forcing them around the maze in a couple of the middle rings that had limited number of openings. Only five minutes into the event this (did someone say evil?) intention could be described as mission accomplished. It was tremendous fun watching orienteers young and old whizzing/wandering around the maze, some of them doing many laps, and many of them smiling (at least, I convinced myself of that!). Hopefully, the other parts of the courses showed off the variety within Saughton Park, inter-mingling safely with footballers, skaters, garden-strollers and dog-walkers. I heard at least one competitor appreciating the bonus maze element in the rose garden. Thanks to everyone who helped on the day, especially those that turned up early to help set up, and those that stayed late to help dismantle. And special thanks to Martin Caldwell who kept me right with setting up the maze, both in the software and in the real world.
Michael McPhillips, Planner
Organisers Comments
This "Fun event" was as much fun as ever, on a sunny afternoon in a busy park, with lots of spectator interest and the circular maze providing plenty of mental challenges to contrast with the pleasant easy running around the park. There are plenty of mental challenges in devising and setting up the Maze, and also in computing the composite results, but once up and running this is a lovely relaxed event. Grateful thanks to all who helped to make it possible.
Janet Clark Organiser.
Results are here
Overall results are here
Winsplits are here
Overview
An exciting event with something for everyone. Controls in a maze alongside controls in a city park.
Planners and Organsiers comments now added, click on "Read more" to see them
Pre-event Information
Location Info
/-3.25220,55.93322,11/500x400?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGF1bGZyb3N0IiwiYSI6ImNscGg3eGRlMjA0cm8yaW52aGhtY2lxZjQifQ.Lc483ZPI9QPGNrBpcqqywQ)
Near: City of Edinburgh Lat,Lng: 55.93322,-3.25220 OS Grid Ref: NT218718 Postcode: EH11 3HT
Open an interactive map in: GoogleMap - OpenStreetMap - AppleMaps - BingMap
Directions / Parking
Meeting point: The event will be based at the side of the Ford’s Road (western) car park. The base will be near the cafe buildings. NOTE: The pin on the map is shown on the edge of Saughton Park at the Ford's Road entrance where there is a car park (see below).
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 cafe buildings in the Park.
By Vehicle: The Ford's Road western car park is approached by Ford’s Road from the junction of Stenhouse Avenue and Stenhouse Terrace. Follow signs for Saughton Sports Complex. Cars cannot approach via Ford’s Road from Gorgie Road, as the river bridge is for pedestrians and cycles only.
If, as is very likely, the car park is full you may have to park in surrounding streets. If this happens please be considerate to locals.
Course Information
There will be 4 separate courses. Courses 1, 2 and 3 will 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. In the past maps have been re-used and you only got to keep one copy; this year you will be given a new map each time, plus a maze map, and can keep them all.
The 4th course is a maze only course and this will have control codes in the usual way.
Entry Details
Advance entry via Race-signup is required. Entries are open and to guarantee a set of Ultrasprint maps please enter by 2pm on Tuesday 15th August. Online entries will remain open until 9am on the day of the event, subject to maps being available.
There may be very limited entry at the event but this will be subject to maps being available. You must do this at Registration between 1pm and 2pm and PLEASE BRING CASH if you possibly can. Payment by card will incur a 25p handling fee. Payment by bank transfer at the event may also be possible.
It is much riskier in terms of cost to ESOC to order large numbers of extra maps when there are 4 for each competitor so we strongly suggest you pre-enter by the guaranteed map deadline which is given above.
ENTRY FEES:
Senior: £7
Junior: £4
Entry Fees cover all four courses and each competitor will have at least 3 maps to take home.
There is a MAZE ONLY OPTION, which will be free, aimed at young children.
Note that a Senior is someone born 2001 or earlier and a Junior is someone born 2002 or later. Matriculated students will normally be eligible to enter as Juniors and pay junior fees - check out RaceSignUp as before.
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. This would not work because of the maze.
Registration and Start times
REGISTRATION: 1pm to 2pm
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 below 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.
Contacts / Officials
EMAIL for advance enquiries
Organiser: Janet Clark email hidden; JavaScript is required
Planner: Michael Phillips, assisted by Martin Caldwell