URBAN ORIENTEERING 

USEFUL INFORMATION FOR NEWCOMERS

 Urban Orienteering has really taken off in the last five years or so.  The sport has come in from the forests and fells and become accessible to all. This is Claro Orienteering Club’s first big Urban Event and we hope you’ll enjoy it.

These notes are to give you some useful background information and should be read in addition to the Initial/Final Details that everyone needs to read.

Urban runners run in trainers. Your course might cross some of the parks and open spaces but most of it will be on city streets, so spikes and studs are NOT suitable.  Clothing should be whatever you run most comfortably in BUT BE VISIBLE., so dig out your most eye-catching t-shirt.

 Orienteering involves navigation at speed round a series of Control Points marked on a map (Scale 1:5000) which you receive on the start line. It’s a Time Trial with runners set off at minute intervals.

 If you have pre entered you can go straight to the start where you will be started at minute intervals. For entry on the day Registration is in Spa Park -give your self half an hour to dump your kit/change of clothing.  There are NO lockers, so don’t bring valuables/cards (leave them locked in your car or take them with you) but you can leave your car-keys at registration. 

 You will need to collect and pay for your electronic timing peg (“Dibber”) at registration before lining up on the Starting Grid (you will be directed where to go). There will be a demonstration Control Point /clear station close to Registration, so you can practise “Dibbing” before you go out.

 The Map Symbols will be new to you and will be on the map they can be viewed close to registration  Also new to you will be the Control Description Sheet (Clue Sheet) showing the Control Point Code number and giving a description of the Control in International Symbols. Again samples will be at Registration.

 We have four Courses on offer for Adults – the lengths are as the crow flies, BUT as you’re navigating from one Control Point to the next, choosing your own route round buildings and across roads and underpasses, you’ll be covering greater distances than those given (even assuming you don’t get lost and have to re-trace your steps).  So DON’T be over-ambitious. The (experienced) Course Winners are likely to take about 40 minutes, the tail-enders about twice that time.  The Initial and Final Details sheets give recommended Courses for experienced runners of different ages, who are aiming for the National Nope-Sport League Points. You’ are welcome to choose a shorter course.

 For safety reasons to-day 23^rd May 2010, under-16s are restricted to the shortest course, which has no road crossings, and we require a signed Parental Consent form. The route to and from the start and finish for course D does involve crossing a road from the assembly field in Spa Park.

 Safety in all aspects is of great concern. You need be aware of Traffic, both cars and bicycles, even in mainly Pedestrian areas, and also of your effect on other Pedestrians – please DON’T run hard round blind corners.  Courses have been planned with safety very much in mind

 Newcomers and Under 16’s can run in pairs and parents can run with children.

 Entries on the day (EOD) are permitted subject to map availability.

Any queries to Susan Birtwistle birtwistle490@btinternet.com  tel.01765 677099