(1/2) Autumn SeriesWhitaker Park, RawtenstallSat 19 September, 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
Planner's Comments:
Wow!
What an absolutely amazing day! Our first event back since Lockdown and we couldn't have asked for better! Beautiful sunshine, lots of people enjoying themselves and happy yet tired faces at the Finish!
We have been blown away by the brilliant comments at the course by the competitors and it makes all the behind the scenes effort to make the event go ahead all worth it!
A massive 'thank you' to everybody that came along to Whitaker Park today, to have over 60 competitors including families is a brilliant effort and all of the courses from White to Technical proved just the right challenge to all. To have families trying the sport for the very first time saying that they will sign up for next week's event at Spring Wood after enjoying themselves so much today is brilliant for the sport!
The Technical Map had a sting in the tail of having a blanked out portion of the map so even seasoned Orienteerers had to rely on bearings and using the ol' grey matter not to mention a few hills due to the lay of the land. It was always going to be hard to fit a Technical Course into a park without having competitors run up and downhill multiple times, hence the idea of the blanked out map. Everyone spoken to seemed to enjoy the challenge mixed in with the urban and park elements of the course.
In the Orange course we had lots of competition between families, we hope you're all still talking tonight. It also involved a skirt over a hidden bushwacking boulder field that was on the Technical course and still plenty of distance and hills to enjoy.
Finally, a massive 'thank you' to all of the volunteers from PFO that helped out today. Whether you were putting out controls at 9:30am, collecting them at 4pm, on the car park, start or registration not to mention all of the other help, your donated time has allowed us to put on a brilliant event and it is really appreciated.
The last picture is of the planner's 5pm reward after an 8hr shift at the event, much needed and welcomed!
We hope to see you all at Spring Wood (Whalley) next Saturday for more of the same! Entries again via S.I Entries website.
(Hint: The Technical course at Spring Wood might include something similar to today - bring your compass!)
Emma Taylor PFO and Kay Hawke PFO
Organiser's Comments:
What can I say? Emma & Kay have said it all and given thanks to all our helpers and to the orienteering gods.
I like these PM starts for our local events. Everything done in the day - pick up kit, run event, return to storage - perfect.
Our start procedures were changed at the last minute due to new covid advice. The social distancing plan worked well so we will operate the same system next week at Spring Wood.
On behalf of all the competitors I'd like to thank our two rookie planners on their brilliant job and the extra challenge of the partially blanked out map for the Technical competitors. I think you will agree that their courses were challenging at every level, Well done! Great day!
One sad note - the ice cream van finally arrived after almost everyone had gone home.
George Crawford-Smith PFO - Organiser
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
Pre Event Info
This event is designed mainly for novices, beginners and progressing navigators, plus a Technical urban course for more seasoned orienteers.
Following British Orienteering advice concerning Covid-19 restrictions, this event is pre-entry and pre-pay only. See entry details below.
Other social distancing rules will apply:
- There will be NO Registration and NO entry on the day.
- Give way to members of the public and other competitors throughout your visit.
- You must proceed directly from Parking to the Start to arrive in time for your given start time.
- Move away from controls after punching.
- After Finishing, go directly to download. If there is a queue, keep 2m apart.
- Return to Parking and depart as soon as practicable.
Location Info
Near: Rawtenstall Lat,Lng: 53.70321,-2.29811 OS Grid Ref: SD804230 Postcode: BB4 8RR
Open an interactive map in:
GoogleMap -
Streetmap (OS 50k)
OpenStreetMap -
BingMap (OS 50k)
Directions / Parking
At The Hill at Ski Rossendale on Haslingden Old Road/Oakenhead BB4 8RR.
What3Words parking entrance location reference is: soak.covers.doors
Map / Terrain
The competition area is based on Whitaker Park, but includes adjacent urban areas used by the Tech course.
Registration and Start times
Registration: ALL entries must be made through SI-Entries - https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?event_id=7494.
For pairs entries (or small groups), it is only necessary to register one name, pay for one entry and hire one dibber.
Dibber hire: If you do not possess a dibber (SI-card) you must book and pay £1 when entering on-line.
Your hired dibber will be sanitised then placed in a sealed bag, for you to pick up at the download tent.
Starts: 13:00 to 14:00. (Start times will be extended if demand exceeds available slots.)
When entering, choose a 15 minute start block window from the drop-down menu. On the day, arrive at the Start during your window. Starts will be allocated by the Start marshal at one minute intervals.
Courses close: 15:30.
Course Information
| Course: | Length: | Climb: | Technical Difficulty: Notes: |
| Technical | 3.9k | 135m | TD4. Includes urban areas. |
| Orange | 2.6k | 90m | TD3. Double sided map. |
| Yellow | 1.5k | 40m | TD2. |
| White | 0.9k | 35m | TD1. |
Start & Finish: Approximately 150m from Parking. The route involves crossing a busy road, where a marshal will be on hand to assist.
Contactless punching: All SI boxes on courses are contactless. However, the Start and Finish boxes are not, so you must punch these. There will be hand sanitiser available at pre-Start and pre-download.
Construction work around the Whitaker Museum may affect your route choice in the park. The area affected will be marked as Out of Bounds on your map, though the area may have expanded or contracted since being mapped.
Entry Details
Entry fees: Adult (M/W21+) £6.00
Junior £2.50 (M/W20-)
Dog restrictions
No dogs on courses. They may be exercised responsibly in the area after your run.
Facilities
Unfortunately the cafe and toilets at both the The Hill and the Whitaker Museum are currently closed. Please make other arrangements. There may be other establishments in nearby Rawtenstall with these facilities.
Contacts / Officials
Planners - Kay Hawke PFO and Emma Taylor PFO
Organiser - George Crawford-Smith PFO
Controller - N/A
For general enquiries -