Sydney expansion series start up again this weekend
- Last Updated: Friday, 09 October 2015 18:50
Two of our expansionary Sydney summer programs start up again this weekend - and we'd love to see you there!
The SOS, held on Saturday mornings across the upper north shore, offers a great environment for students and their families to begin orienteering. Newcomers - cut out the ad in Thursday's Hornsby Advocate and bring it along for a free entry! For events conducted on school grounds, students of those schools get free entry. Tomorrow's first event for Term 4 is at James Ruse Ag HS in Carlingford.
The Southern Sydney Summer Series is held on Sunday afternoons in the eastern and southern suburbs and inner west, and offers the same 45-minute score course format as the long-running Sydney Summer Series, which has just started its 25th season. Newcomers - cut out the ad in the Southern Courier or Wentworth Courier and bring it along for a free entry! Sunday's first event is at Broadarrow Reserve, Maroubra.
On November 1, the Western Sydney Summer Series - held in the Hills District - will also start. It has moved to Sunday mornings. Newcomers - cut out the ad in the Hills Shire Times or Hills News and bring it along for a free entry! The first event is at George Thornton Reserve, West Pennant Hills.
Summer Series all set for season 2015-16
- Last Updated: Tuesday, 06 October 2015 20:24
Daylight saving is here, the bush season has finished, which means... it's time for the annual summer series to start.
That's when we turn our attention to navigating our way through some of the most scenic parks, reserves and foreshores that our clubs have mapped. Many newcomers are amazed at the views on offer and the areas they discover through our summer series.
As an example, a map from a previous event is here. The maps usually cover an area of 2km x 1km. The fastest runners will often cover 9-10km in 45 minutes, while the more social participants may do as little as 2km.
It's up to you how competitive or social you are.
On Wednesday, Newcastle have their traditional warm-up event, at Mayfield East. See their series flyer for full details. You only get two minutes of planning time, so make full use of it. Newcastle even offer a pram-walking category (see bottom pic)!
At the same time at Lane Cove, Sydneysiders will number around 200 for the first event in the Sydney Summer Series. You get unlimited planning time (see picture, left, for a family hard at work). This serves a wonderful social purpose as much as maximising your score.
Thankfully the weather is forecast to change just before dawn on Wednesday to ensure great running (or walking) conditions.
On Saturday our newest series, the SOS, starts at James Ruse Ag HS in Carlingford, and the following afternoon (Sunday) the Southern SSS kicks off at Maroubra. Later this month our regional clubs will start, as will the Western SSS in the Hills District.
Beginners will get coaching at the events. We hope to see you there.
Big Foot sprint to five AUS titles
- Last Updated: Saturday, 03 October 2015 11:48
Big Foot stamped their class all over the Australian sprint championships in Ballarat on Friday, with a carnival best five wins, two seconds and a third.
Melbourne Forest Racers had identical results to share the honours as the second weekend of action got underway in gusty conditions at St Patrick's College.
Nea Shingler and Oliver Freeman did the double in the youngest class, 10A, while Tracy Marsh (pictured) won W35A, ONSW president Greg Barbour took out M50A and Debbie Byers claimed the W60A title.
NSW runners to place second were Jenny Enderby (NC) in W45A, Carolyn Matthews (NC) in W50A, junior squad coach Jock Davis (BF) in M45A, Mark Shingler (BF) in M50A, Chippy le Carpentier (SH) in M70A and Neil Schafer (GO) in M85A.
Third placings went to Erika Enderby (NC) in W01A, Maree Doyle (UR) in W17-20A, Julia Prudhoe (CC) in W60A, Pauline Moore (WR) in W65A, Jenny Hawkins (NT) in W70A, Chris Fitzgerald (GS) in M21A, Fedor Iskhakov (BN) in M35A, Matt Hackett (WH) in M40A, Eoin Rothery (BF) in M55A and Jim Merchant (GO) in M70A.
That's 11 of our 16 clubs on the podium - well done! We should also mention that our orienteers have been cleaning up on the social side of things, too, with Newcastle's Margaret Peel winning the Dr Blake literary competition, and Garingal's Sue Thomson the 'best dressed' award at the dinner.
Saturday sees the blue ribbon event of the caarnival - the Australian long championships.
Alastair's leading leg in schools relays
- Last Updated: Wednesday, 30 September 2015 17:57
Big Foot's Alastair George was the fastest runner in the first leg of the junior boys at the Australian schools relay championships near Ballarat on Wednesday, but the team had to settle for fifth and relinquish the crown they won in WA last year.
Alastair gave the Carbines a four-second advantage, before clubmate Ewan Shingler produced a great run to have NSW third at the last change. Rookie Finn Mackay filled in for the ill Duncan Currie.
New Zealand teams won three of the four schools relays, with Queensland grabbing the win in the senior boys.
Our senior boys (Daniel Hill, Toby Wilson, Callum Davis) were seventh, as were our senior girls (Georgia Jones, Melissa Annetts, Rebecca George), while our junior girls (Claire Burgess, Rebecca Kennedy, Sophie Jones) finished sixth.
We congratulate all our schools team competitors on their efforts - many of them have run five days in a row. And a big thank you to coach Jock and manager Sally.
The national carnival continues on Friday with the Australian sprint championships.
