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Our premier annual race! Newcomers and improvers welcome - we have all the usual courses, plus some longer and harder ones too! This event will utilise the less-used eastern part of the magnificent Hambleden estate. Typically, our previous events here have focused on the central and western areas due to the traditional car park location. Using a different car park, this event will give anyone on short (or medium) courses access to parts of the estate they may not have visited before. Please note this event is pre-entry only – there will be no entry at the event. Enter in advance via the Tickets link above.
SIAC enabled.
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PARKING:
Outside Hambleden village, nr. Henley-on-Thames on S. Oxfordshire/Bucks border
• OS Grid Reference: SU 776856 (sheet 175)
• Parking off Dairy Lane, signed from A4155, approx. 2 miles N. of Henley-on-Thames
Parking is in a very large field. There is no charge for parking.
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TERRAIN
The magnificent Hambleden Estate has hosted some top level orienteering races in the past, including the British Championships - it's a first class area for a run! Classic Chiltern undulating slopes covered in mature beech or mixed deciduous and conifer.
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REGISTRATION AND START TIMES
Start times will be between 10:30 and 13:00. Courses close at 15:00 promptly to allow time for control collection
You will be asked to choose a Start time when you enter the event. Individual Start times can be chosen for all courses other than Red, Orange and Yellow.
For these courses, you can choose a period of time (a "Start block") during which to start.
If you expect to take a long time to complete your course, please start at a time that will enable you to finish well before course close time.
If you are entering the Red, Orange or Yellow course as a pair or family, you will be able to order extra maps during the entry process.
Everyone must finish and report back to download by 3pm, even if you haven't finished your course.
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COURSES – arranged below in order of navigational difficulty. Remember - the course lengths are the straight line distances between the control points. You'll run quite a bit further, depending on your route choices!:
These courses are of the most challenging navigational difficulty, and only suitable for those with orienteering experience:
• Black - 12km
• Brown - 10km
• Short Brown - 8km
• Blue - 7km
• Short Blue - 5.7km
• Green - 5km
• Short Green - 4km
• Very Short Green - 3.5km
This course is ideal for improvers, with some experience:
• Light Green - 3.5km - Quite challenging; for improvers and those with a bit of experience. Most controls away from paths. Provides some route choices.
These courses are ideal for improvers and newcomers:
• Red - 5km - Ideal for runners who want a longer, but less-technical course (Orange standard navigation)
• Orange - 3km - Suitable for adult beginners and experienced juniors. Introduces opportunity for route choice.
• Yellow - 2.5km - Suitable for juniors with some experience or for supervised newcomers, and for family groups.
If you're a runner getting into orienteering, the Red and Orange courses are ideal, or give the Score course a go. For families, we recommend Orange, or Yellow if you want something shorter. For juniors, Yellow is a good choice. No courses cross any public roads. Expect some climb (i.e. hills!) on each course too.
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HOW TO ENTER
You must pre-enter in advance as there will be no entry at the event. Pre-entering reserves you a map. Just click on the Tickets link above, and fill in your details.
You don't have to be a member of an orienteering club to enter this event. On SI Entries (our entries system), just show your club name as IND (for Independent).
Small family or other groups are welcome, but please enter only the Yellow, Orange or Red courses. Enter as a senior. Change the name if you wish, for example to Jones Family.
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ENTRY COST
All courses except Yellow and Orange:
- BOF members £16 / non-members £18 (£19/£21 after 30 March)
- Juniors & Students £6 (£7.50 after 30 March)
Yellow and Orange:
- BOF members £10 / non-members £10
- Family groups £10
- Juniors & Students £6 (£7.50 after 30 March)
Timing chip hire (SIAC): £2 extra.
Your entry fee includes a special waterproof orienteering map with your course printed on it, to keep as a souvenir, hire of a timing chip (SI) to register at each control point around your course, and a print out of your result and splits at the finish.
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FACILITIES
The following will be provided:
- Compass Point have confirmed they will attend (an orienteering kit retailer)
- Toilets
- Catering provided by Tom and his usual catering wagon
- First Aid provided by White Star Medical
TVOC’s policy is that dogs are not permitted on courses. However, well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome in the car park field and Assembly area.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Hambleden Estate, Henley Upon Thames, Henley on Thames, Henley-on-thames, United Kingdom
Tickets
