19/11/2022 – League 11 – Cranham

Mixed forest, with a good network of paths, steep-sided in places and muddy around the various streams. There are mountain bike tracks, not all mapped and the going is generally clear. The verges of larger tracks have bands of thick undergrowth but if crossing, you can quickly reach open forest running again. Some smaller paths may be obscured by autumn leaves.

Minor updates have been made to the 2021 map of the area.
Maps will be at 1:10,000 for Blue and Brown courses; 1:7,500 for Yellow, Orange, Short Green and Green courses. Control descriptions will be printed on maps and available loose at the start.

Registration will be in the cricket pavilion, Starts and Finish are approx 500m across the Common and village road. Please follow the signage and cross where indicated for safety and convenience. Youngsters should be accompanied.

There will be an easily-accessible clothing dump at the Finish, which is passed on the way to the Start. Please note there is a 50m climb back up to the parking.

It is a turn-up and go queuing start. Yellow runners may pick up maps at the start and set off when ready. Please follow any starting and safety instructions given. Touch-free SIAC is enabled but all runners must punch both Start and Finish.

You must report to download upon finishing your course, or if you decide to retire from your course.

Cranham is steep-sided and all courses have significant climb, but the planner has tried to exploit flatter areas too.

Course details in the table below are provisional, and subject to finalisation.

We will use SI Timing, in contact and touch free modes. All runners must however punch the Start and Finish controls.

Starts: 10:30 - 12:00
Courses close: 13:30, meaning that you must report to download before 14:15, or risk disqualification.

SI dibber hire: Standard dibber £1 Adults, Juniors free

Touch Free dibber: £2 Adults, £1 Juniors

Pre-entry is strongly preferred. Enter on Fabian4.co.uk by midnight on Wednesday 16th November.

Entry on the day is available only while maps last, but note the premium price to discourage this. We may be able to accept credit/debit card payments, if the phone signal is sufficient, but this is not guaranteed so bring cash just in case.

A helper discount is available for those offering to help on the day. These events don't happen without volunteers willing to help out on the day, so if you are able to do so, before signing up to enter, email our Volunteer Coordinator to let Kevin know you can help, and ask for the helper discount code that you can apply when entering. You don't have to be an NGOC member to help, but you do need to be a BO member to be covered insurance wise.

As the Government has removed all restrictions on events and activities, COVID related refunds are no longer available. The standard Fabian4 terms and conditions offer an automatic refund up to 2 months before the event date, and we do not normally vary this specification. That means that in most cases no refunds are possible, as we do not publish details until less than 2 months before the date of the event.
However, for all except large events we hold entries open until only a day or so before the event, so you can delay entry if unsure whether you can run, until very close to event day.

Dogs are permitted on the courses, but must be ‘under control’.

There are basic toilet facilities at the cricket ground, behind the pavilion. The NGOC cafe will be available for hot drinks and snacks – cash only.

Some of the paths will be very slippery with fallen leaves, and muddy too.

You are strongly advised to carry a whistle, and cagoules should be carried due to the forecast risk of heavy rain during the day.

The woods are popular with mountain bikers, riders and walkers, especially at weekends. Please be mindful of these other visitors, particularly of fast bikes and any horses you encounter.

A number of venerable trees have been fenced off for their protection. These should be admired in passing, but not approached.

The junior courses cross a quiet track which is vehicular access to houses within the woods and pass round a small dirt parking area. There will be warning signs and tapes to guide juniors safely through this area.

No roads should be crossed or used in any courses, but the walk from and back to parking does cross the village road and may be marshalled.

A risk assessment has been completed, and a copy will be held at Enquiries and Download in case competitors wish to consult it before their run.

A first aid kit and trained first aiders will be available at Enquiries and Download.

Living with COVID

As from 24 February:

• You are not be legally required to self-isolate if you test positive for COVID-19. You should, however, stay at home if you can and avoid contact with other people.
• You do not have to take daily tests, nor are you legally required to self-isolate following contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Nevertheless, although all legal restrictions have ceased, you should NOT attend if you are Covid positive, or suspect you are, and everyone attending should continue taking sensible precautions, such as avoiding close contact, particularly around the Start, Finish, and Assembly.