Sunday 17/11/2024 – 2024 League 11 – The Dowards

The Doward is an area of limestone on the bank of the Wye with huge, impressive (and dangerous!) river cliffs, with the highest point some 200m above the river. Courses have been planned to keep participants away from the tops of cliffs, but even quite benign looking parts of the forest can end in sudden drops so please take greater care than usual.

Junior courses (Orange and Yellow) stay well away from the cliffs, do not cross the track used for parking and use the flatter part of the area (Lord’s Wood). There are numerous small paths in this area and only the most significant have been mapped. Even some of these can be hard to spot under the recent covering of leaves so runners on Yellow and Orange beware!

The Blue and Brown courses have significant steep climb. Green, Blue and Brown also descend a very steep hillside which could be slippery.

The threat to our forests and woodlands has never been greater. Trees and plants in Britain are now vulnerable to a range of new pests and diseases as a result of a combination of climate change and the increased movement of goods around the world. Activities in forests can increase chance of spreading a pest or disease. Everyone who visits or works on managed forests can make a difference.

Please arrive with clean footwear and clothing and clean footwear and clothing either on site or at home before visiting another woodland, “Leave the Forest in the Forest”.

The Doward is well worth exploring after your run. King Arthur’s Cave is situated near the forest entrance and there is a nearby path which gives access to a rocky outcrop (one of the “Severn Sisters”) from which you can enjoy spectacular views of the river. There is also an impressive disused quarry just off the top part of the parking track. The footbridge at Biblins Campsite is fun to cross and there are numerous small caves and man-made levels in the limestone cliffs. If you have enough energy, a walk up to the hillfort on the far western edge of the area is also rewarding, especially on a clear day. If it’s running (depends on river level), a trip across the river on the hand pulled cable ferry opposite the Saracen’s Head is fun and can form part of a circular walk with the Biblins bridge and a refreshment stop at the pub!

Scale 1:10,000, 5m contours. Based on the previous NGOC 2022 map, minor updates 2024 for this event by Tom Mills and Pat MacLeod.

Control descriptions will be text for Yellow, pictorial for all other courses, except Orange which will have both. Loose control descriptions will be available in the start lanes.

The Start is about 150m from Assembly.

The Finish is about 200m from Assembly. Both routes are virtually flat

Provisional course details

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

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

You MUST go to Download even if you do not complete your course – we need to confirm that you are back safely!

Whistles must be carried by juniors running on their own and are highly recommended for all competitors. If you hear a distress whistle, please go to assist.

We hope to have a string course on the day.

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 up to 30 minutes before the published start time, so aim to be there with this in mind. 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 open, and will close at midnight on Thursday 14th November.

Entry on the day is possible only while maps last, but note the premium price to discourage this. We should 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 allowed in the area as long as they are under control and owners tidy after them.

The NGOC pop-up café should be present.

There are no covered changing facilities and competitors are reminded of the need for discretion when getting changed by their cars.

The area may be quite busy on a Sunday, especially if the weather is good. It is popular with family groups and dog walkers. Mountain bikers are seldom seen but Blue and Brown runners may use a steep path that started life as a mountain bike trail so there is a small risk of encountering one. Please be respectful to all other forest users.

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

Be particularly aware of high, dangerous cliffs and steep slopes in the area.

Be aware that there are deer ticks in the forest - I brought one home with me this week from my latest visit to the Dowards - so check yourselves over carefully after your run. They carry a small risk of your contracting Lyme Disease, an unpleasant and sometimes serious condition; find out more about symptoms and warning signs here

Whistles are compulsory for Juniors and strongly advised for all. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear for terrain and weather.

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

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