Newlands CornerSun 22 Dec, 2024
SE Middle-distance Championships
Regional level event
Explanation of Event levels
Local events are usually low key and in the 'localised' area, ideal for newcomers to try the sport. Training are non competitive events 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.
Terrain type: Woodland
Results
Report
Lost property (found), see photo: luxury ermine-trimmed santa hat still homeless. Please email organiser to claim.
Post-event comments
From the Planner:
Newlands Corner – sited on a ridge path tramped since the beginning of time, with driver-diverting views of the Weald that provide a continuous slo-mo of the current weather forecast, pitted over the centuries by unregulated quarrying by the locals for domestic building stone, visited infamously by Agatha Christie a mere 100 years ago, shaded for a mere 1000 years ago by the current yews, themselves descendants of stragglers left over from the last ice age – is named after a highwayman, though was earlier known as “Fairyland”.
This is an unconventional spot – and seemed ripe for a slightly unconventional O event. The density of features and of uncrossable ones is similar to an urban area, calling for a large-scale map and urban-style course-planning. The festive season also seemed suitable for a slightly light-hearted occasion: in any case, earlier the bracken would have been prohibitive. Technical purists on some courses might be affronted by having to navigate the last leg to the finish (this event just squeezed in before this is banned by new BO rules), but this was aimed at best use of control sites. As was the use of butterfly loops, to maximise the need for re-orientation leaving controls. Then there was contrast between the careful map-reading in the first stages of your course followed by zooming round the paths in the eastern part of the wood.
Unfortunately for many this was spoiled by:
Misplaced control: 141 was placed by a tree 30m west of the correct one, separated by a 15m chunk of unmapped bramble. Many runners, especially on the Brown and Blue courses approaching the correct site from the board-walk, found themselves on the wrong side of this bramble. Whereas many Green and Black runners approaching from the West came on the control earlier than expected. This parallel error was entirely the fault of the planner.
(Neil Crickmore recently drew attention to eight elephant traps lying in the path of officials that can cause controls to end up in the wrong place. At least four of these were fallen into on this occasion, especially no. 6, “Planner(s) and controller(s) trusting each other too much and losing the independent scrutiny that’s required”. He was too polite in these days of sensibility to mention a ninth: Old age. The combined total of 161 for the planner/controller illustrates yet another reason to encourage younger volunteers.)
Tom Edelsten
From the Controller:
Tom's decision to postpone the original Autumn slot and so allow the bracken to die down was a very good call. I thank him for all the hard work of surveying , mapping and finally planning that gave you all a fine middle style challenge. Running directly between and underneath all those majestic yews is unusual and locally unique. The contrast of dry, soft conditions underfoot in the forest contrasting with the muddy paths.
Mole Valley's Norbury Park map did show a Druids Grove of these magnificent trees but recent winds reduced them to an area of fight.
Thank you Jeremy for marshalling us all so effectively and to all Guildford members for giving us a great day out.
Mike Murray (SLOW)
From the Organiser:
Mainly I'd like to draw your attention to the positive aspects of the event and gently challenge Tom's mea culpa. He is excessively hard on himself - there were multiple small issues that aligned to result in the misplacement. So we removed the time of all legs to and from that control (141). Enough said. We were a bit sad on the day, but now it's Christmas and time to celebrate the days that are lengthening again.
Many thanks from me to all the GO helpers who turned out to enable the event. And especially to my co-officials who share in our 231 years of accumulated wisdom!
Jeremy Wilde
Overview
Newlands Corner has a completely resurveyed and renewed map and the mapper, Tom Edelsten, has turned Planner for these middle-distance courses. Mike Murray (SLOW) is the Controller.
To qualify for the SE Champs medals, you must be a BOF member and have SEOA as your primary affiliation.
However, anyone may enter this event. When you enter, please select the course that matches the age class that you wish to compete in, which need not be your own age class if you wish to 'run up'. Please note the Eligibility Criteria for the Championships (under Event Information below) if you wish to compete for a championship podium place.
Important note on car parking: We have bought dedicated (but limited) car parking space for this event and been asked not to use the public car parking spaces at Newlands Corner. Please, please share transport wherever possible.
Location Info
/-0.51371,51.23314,12/500x400?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGF1bGZyb3N0IiwiYSI6ImNrb3gwYndwbDBhNjMyb3Q2cTAzajhzbjQifQ.s1B_G4dqnxOBH83Gv9EBmw)
Near: Guildford Lat,Lng: 51.23314,-0.51371 Postcode: GU4 8SE What3Words: ///mats.stuff.slides
Open an interactive map in: GoogleMaps - AppleMaps - OpenStreetMap - BingMap (OS 50k)
Directions / Parking
The car parking is at Newlands Corner. Not in the public car park but through it at the far end in an overflow area.
Space is limited, please share transport or travel car-less. We ask for car information when you enter - please be accurate.
Map / Terrain
Most of the competition area occupies the northern wooded slope of an East/West ridge. Runnability changes rapidly – especially so at the 1:5000 map scale – from white open to varying patches of green, with many mapped vegetation boundaries. One part has extensive bramble: this is largely impenetrable but laced with mapped paths.
A special character of Newlands Corner is the giant elderly yews, possibly the largest concentration in the world. Some are estimated to be up to 1000 years old. But many of them are now not in a good way; the causes are unclear but it’s a good bet that global heating is one. As orienteers we have a particular responsibility, to minimise footfall close to the trees to prevent damage to the roots. Planning of the event has taken this into account.
Course Information
You can enter any course but if you select one that does not match your age class you may not qualify for championship medals. You will only qualify for these if you run the course for your age class or if you run up to a harder age class (see more details on the Racesignup page).
Black (M18, M20-40) - very long and a hard navigational challenge
Brown (M16, M45-50, W18, W20-40) - long and hard
Blue (M55-60, W45-50) - quite long and hard
Green (M65-75, W16, W55-60) - not so long but still hard
Short Green (W65-75, W80+, M80+) - relatively short but still a hard navigational challenge
Light Green (M14, W14) - less of a navigational challenge; suitable for 'improvers'
Orange (M12, W12) - easier navigation, moderate distance, suitable for older beginners
Yellow (M10, W10) - suitable for most beginners with map awareness
White (not a championship course) - suitable for beginners
There is also a string course near the car park with a festive fun theme, designed for younger orienteers to enjoy themselves in safe surroundings (free to enter, just turn up on the day).
Entry Details
Enter at Racesignup (event 4705)
Early bird fees
Senior: £12
Junior: £6 (Juniors are under 21 on 31st December 2024)
Novice senior entry fee
£7 applies to White/Yellow/Orange courses.
From 16 December the fees increase by £2 (Senior) and £1 (Junior/Novice)
Late entries will become subject to available maps.
Normal SI dibber hire is £1; contactless SIAC dibber hire is £2.50.
Entry fee for non-BOF-affiliated Seniors attracts a £2 supplement; for Juniors a £1 supplement.
Senior full-time students pay the Junior entry fee.
Registration and Start times
Start times are from 10:00 - 12:00
Facilities
First Aid at Download (near the Finish).
There is a cafe and toilets by the Newlands Corner public car park.
Dog restrictions
Dogs allowed under control in the car park and Assembly area but not on the courses please.
Contacts / Officials
Organiser, Jeremy Wilde, organiser (at) guildfordorienteers.co.uk