16/12/2023 – League 11 – Bixslade

Mixed woodland, with a good path network. Flat and generally very runnable towards the south and south west of the area, but with a deep valley running from the north west corner towards the south east, effectively cutting the map in half, with some steep climbs across the valley and also on the eastern edge of the map. There are some large blocks of darker green, and there has been extensive larch removal, resulting in something of a wasteland running through the central parts of the map.

The area is heavily used by mountain bikers, and there are numerous downhill tracks in the steep parts.

Scale 1:10,000, 5m contours. Based on the previous NGOC maps, but selectively updated for this event.

The more significant MTB tracks are mapped as dashed red lines, although on the flatter southern and western areas the distinction between a footpath and an MTB track is sometimes blurred.

The Start is close to Assembly and on the main parking track. It is close to Nagshead Lodge, a private dwelling, and also the turning circle to be used by departing vehicles, so runners going to or at the start should be aware of possible vehicle movements in the area. There is a short taped route from map issue to the start flag, which all runners must follow.

The Finish is close to Assembly and download.

Course details subject to final controlling. Course distances are straight line.

There will be a string course close to Assembly. We are trialling a new way of organising string courses this weekend. If your children would like to do the free string course come to Enquiries to pick up a map. The start will be close to assembly and clearly marked. Come back to Enquiries after the course to collect your prize!

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

In order to minimise demands on scarce volunteer resources we operate a 90 minute start window for this event, and we recognise that this can be a challenge for parents seeking split starts. We are happy to accommodate split starts provided:

• You let us know in advance that you need a split start. Do this by emailing the organiser, address in the introduction above
• You come early; the start team will normally be ready to allow very early starts sometime between 10:30 and the published 11:00 start time, so aim to be there soon after 10:30. We do not offer starts later than the published end of the start window.
• The shorter course runner goes first. We will not turn you away if you can't manage this, but it gives you both a better chance of beating the course closure time.

Entry Details

You should enter the course appropriate to your involvement in the NGOC league, if relevant, or whichever course you choose otherwise.

Starts: 11:00 - 12:30
Courses close: 14:00, 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

Entries are now open, and will close at midnight on Thursday 14th December.

Entry on the day is possible only while maps last, but note the premium price to discourage this. We should by then be able to accept credit/debit card payments, 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 Ian Prowse, Volunteer Coordinator, to let us know if you can help, and ask for the helper discount code that you can apply when entering. You don't have to be a NGOC member to help, but you do need to be a BOF 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 at assembly and on courses

There are no toilets available

The NGOC cafe will be present.

NGOC Club kit will be on sale, and available to try on, at Registration. However, Paul Taunton, who looks after the club clothing kit now, has to leave early, so if you want to look at it or try it, please go early, before your run.

The area is heavily used by mountain bikers, so you must take particular care if using tracks mapped in red, and especially so if going downhill.

There are many quarries and crags in the area. The larger ones are mapped out of bounds, and dangerous fences are mapped with a solid purple line. Courses are planned such that no sensible route choice will take you over a dangerous crag. However, there are also steep banks, which in wet weather and with the current leaf cover should be approached with caution. In some areas there is a lot of loose rock, often covered in leaves, and where boar have been active, exposed roots constitute a significant trip hazard.

Orienteering is an adventure sport. All runners take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety.

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. Note that we are not permitted to provide epipens or anti-histamine in the event of stings; if you know you react badly to these you should carry your own epipen, or anti-histamine.