Autumn Series (3/3)Marl PitsSat 19 December, 2020

Local level event

Explanation of Event levels

  • Training events 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.
  • Local events are usually low key and in the 'localised' area, ideal for newcomers to try the sport. Most clubs run some 'mini series' throughout the year as local mid week events.
  • 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 or the annual JK competition.

Results

Report

Planners' Comments:

What an absolutely brilliant event at Marl Pits today! The weather stayed kind to us apart from a brisk easterly and all 65 entrants worked their way through their courses perfectly!

For those with prior knowledge of Marl Pits you knew what was in store regarding mud. So it was great to see so many muddy shoes and clothes at the Finish - a sure sign that you had a great time up there! Courses were planned to test you as far as the level could, but still keep it mostly runnable to enable you to enjoy your chosen route.

From families on the Yellow to navigators on Orange you were treated to some controls tricky enough to get the mind thinking and the Technical course was treated even further with some steeper hills - but great views on the farmland and woodlands above. Control 11 (Technical) was at the foot of a spring (bathtub) with a mudbath in front, well done to you all for managing to get to it. I'm sure it was tempting to have a quick wash in it whilst you were there!

It means a great deal to all of us in PFO that so many competitors of all ages, abilities and experience attended. Thank you for all of your positive comments and the Santa Hats we saw today! Having Ninja Coffee there was a definite welcoming sign at the Finish and going off the queues we saw proved to be a popular attendee! As a club we rely on your participation and the time of the volunteers to help run the event. For this event it has taken 9 volunteers many weeks to make sure the event can run, from mapping to printing, placing controls out late last night and early this morning, helping set out the start, S.I timings the lot, and we appreciate all of the time given.

Don't forget that we have our Christmas Trails live from Monday, a great way to start the New year at our Night/Day event at Nick O'Pendle on 2/3 January, Barnoldswick Street O on 12th January and Stubbylee Park on January 23rd, we're not slowing down just yet! All of the details about events is on our website https://www.pfo.org.uk/events

Have a very Merry Christmas and we hope to see you at an event soon!

Kay Hawke PFO & Emma Taylor PFO

RouteGadget

Is a web browser app for sharing and comparing orienteering routes. You can draw your own route or upload a GPS track from your watch. It also allows you to watch an animated replay with a simulated mass start.

Go to the Pendle Forest Routegadget now

Last updated: Sun 11 April, 2021

Pre Event Info

Introductory and Technical courses.

Update 15/12/2020 start window extended to now be from 09:30 to 11:00

Update 6/11/2020:
Due to National Lockdown, our Marl Pits event originally planned to take place on 14/11/2020 has been moved to 19/12/2020.

Under Tier 3 rules we are able to host "organised outdoor sporting events".
However, government advice is that you should not travel from Tier 2 to Tier 3, though there are several exemptions, sport is not one of them.
PFO will apply BOF hygiene and social distancing measures throughout the event. Competitors and helpers take part at their own risk.

Anyone pre-entered for November will automatically have their entry transferred to December, unless you have opted for a voucher or a refund.

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This event is pre-entry only.

Brief advice on conduct at PFO events:

Covid risk: Rossendale is in National Lockdown until 2nd December. New rules will be advised after 2/12.

BOF advice: All orienteering events due to take place during the National Lockdown period are suspended.

The latest BOF Participant Code of Conduct with respect to Covid 19, should be read by all participants.

We regret that spectators are not permitted under current lockdown rules for Rawtenstall.

Control descriptions will be on the map but can be downloaded and printed from these links: Yellow, Orange, Technical

Location Info

Near: Rawtenstall
Lat,Lng: 53.70300,-2.27384
OS Grid Ref: SD820229
Postcode: BB4 7SN

Open an interactive map in:
GoogleMap - Streetmap (OS 50k)
OpenStreetMap - BingMap (OS 50k)

Directions / Parking

Park at Marl Pits Leisure Centre, Rawtenstall as directed by marshals. Overflow parking will be on Newchurch Road, the (wide) main road outside the leisure centre. Take extra care with youngsters.

What3words location: slam.blame.cure

Map / Terrain

The Marl Pits competition area is split into two parts. At low level are the playing fields with surrounding woodland, steepening to the north. To the east of this is a steep scarp slope of rough open land crossed by tracks and paths. There are numerous contour and brown symbol features. Some fields in this part are marked as out of bounds.
The whole scarp area is privately owned and OOB at other times, except where a public right of way exists.

Marl Pits is a return to more traditional orienteering terrain. You can expect a real mix of woodland, open farm land and well established path networks through the area. The Yellow course will be aimed at beginners or people trying to develop their skills in the sport, Orange and Technical take you further into the wilder areas of the event.

Registration and Start times

Start blocks from 09:30 till 11:00.
(We are using an earlier start window than usual as there are team sports taking place from 12:00 noon. Please vacate the leisure centre as soon as your run is complete to free up parking spaces.)

Course Information

Course:Length:Climb:Notes:
TD = Technical difficulty
Yellow2.0k25mTD2 = Easy
Orange2.7k

75m

TD3 = Moderate
Technical4.0k

150m

TD4/5 = Hard to Very Hard

.Control descriptions can be downloaded and printed via the links above.

Entry Details

There is no EOD and no Registration.
Entry, dibber hire and Start block selection via SIEntries only. Entries will open on or after 3rd December, and close at midnight on Thursday 17th December.

Entry fees: Adult (M/W21+) £6.00, Junior £2.50 (M/W20-)
If you are running as a pair or with a shadow you only need one dibber for the first named competitor.
Dibber hire: £1.00. Your hired dibber will be available to collect at Download. It will be sanitised and bagged,

Dog restrictions

No dogs. This is farming country.

Facilities

Ninja Coffee will be in attendance serving take-away drinks.

We regret we have no special access to toilets at the Marl Pits Leisure Centre.
Please make your own arrangements in advance. Locally, Asda and Tesco, have facilities. The public toilets at Rawtenstall Market BB4 7QX should also be open.
There are numerous cafes, bars and restaurants in Rawtenstall, but they are likely to be closed due to Covid restrictions. Check before travelling.

Miscellaneous

For general information email

Contacts / Officials

Organiser: Kay Hawke,
Planner: Emma Taylor