St Marks ParkSat 13 Dec

The event will be based in the of St Marks Park at EH7 4HN. Parking on Warriston Road. No nearby permit charges.

By Bus: Check Lothian Buses website to plan your journey. 

Nearest bus stops are 8, 3, 27 next to the the Royal Botanic Gardens and 10 or 36 next to Redbraes Park. There are other options on Ferry Road and Leith Walk.

By Bike: A variety of quiet cycle route maps throughout the city are available on the Edinburgh City Council Quiet Routes web pages. Cycles may be secured close the Registration while you run.

The terrain is a mix of parkland, wooded areas and urban, with a good path network including the paved railway tracks. 
 

The map will probably be at 1:4000 printed on waterproof paper with control descriptions on the map, no loose descriptions will be available.

The map uses the ISSprOM 2019-2 Sprint mapping symbol set (as the legend) so those not used to sprint or urban events should remind themselves of the symbols, downloadable from here and in particular the symbols indicating additional out of bounds areas (olive green) and impassable features (walls, fences etc) which must not be crossed,

• Other Users: This area is very well used by the general public, including dog walkers, cyclists, runners and children's games. Please respect their right to be there at the same time as you are orienteering.
• Dogs: Competitor’s dogs are allowed 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 3pm after which controls will start to be brought in . All competitors should be back at Download by 3pm.
• 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.
• There will be undergrowth, and although the courses have been planned to avoid the worst if it, full leg cover is recommended. especially for the long courses.

A range of courses to suit all abilities with a festive twist. Details will be added before entries open

Read more about Course lengths and Difficulty here

Pre-Entry via RaceSignUp is preferred for this event. Entries open on Monday 1st December and will close at 6pm on Friday 12th December

However to be guaranteed a course map on waterproof paper for your chosen course you MUST pre-enter by 8pm on Tuesday 19th December

We will print some extra waterproof maps for late entries and EOD, but entries made in RaceSignUp after the cut-off date above may be allocated a non-waterproof version (at the same cost) at the start.

Entry on the day (EOD): Entry on the day will be available at Registration as long as maps are available (either on waterproof paper or "normal" paper).

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 11:45am -1.15pm close to the entrance to St Marks park at the bend in Warriston Road (near ///apron.charge.half).

• Entry on the Day (EOD) if maps are still available. Payment by cash, bank transfer or by card/contactless. Please try to have the correct money if at all possible.
• Collection of hired dibbers, White and Yellow maps:
• Advice and help for beginners

Start Times: From 12,00pm to 1.30pm with course closure at 3pm.

Pre-selected start blocks are listed on the RaceSignUp page (scroll down to the Start List section). Please note that you can arrive at the start any time within your block.

You should be back at Download by 3pm as controls will start to be brought in by 3pm 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.

Unfortunately there are no toilets on site, but there are plenty of supermarkets or shopping centres, with facilities, close by.

A list of council run Public Toilets can be found here