For the Newcastle Club event this weekend at The Underpass, planner Peter Newton had a number of problems to solve. The area between Killingworth and the F3 Freeway is heavily used by motorbikes and 4 wheel drives which made Very Easy and Easy course setting a worry. Faded flags were used to draw less attention from passersby and the flags were stood up late in the afternoon to minimise the time they were in situ. Control stands were secreted behind bushes or off the track, again to reduce the chance of interference from non-competitors which added a bit more spice to courses for the orienteers. Very Easy were set challenges to cross an open area to the base of an electricity tower which they could see. Easy runners were given route choice options enticing them to be brave and leave the comfort of the track, so cut across rather than run the long way around tracks. Since this event was a minor/training event these options were highlighted on a notice board map for course entrants to study.
With all that planning and care the only small problem for the day was courtesy of OCAD ‘all controls’ feature. Course descriptions were all correct but using a master map of all controls to place the stands meant that with the 2 last controls in close proximity, OCAD positioned the control numbers on the map in a fashion which saw the setter reverse the controls. More experienced OCAD users are aware of this trap so shrink the circles and numbers to ensure they are positioned close to the feature and double check number location. A useful tip for all!
And what of the race? One of Newcastle's fittest competitors (recent NOL setter Steve Todkill) ran the Long Hard in just over 41 minutes so Newcastle's newest JWOC representative (Alex Massey) was set the challenge of beating that time. He did - by 26 seconds. Alex’s time would have been shorter had he not baulked at getting his feet wet at the creek crossing (he was reminded that all he should do is RUN!)
Many thanks to Peter Newton for this report
