Event Details
Club: | Walton Chasers Orienteering Club |
Event Name: | New Years Eve Score |
Date: | 31/12/11 |
Format: | MBO Score |
Mapping: | Ordnance Survey |
Time Limit: | 3 hours |
National League: | - |
League: | - |
Electronic Punch: | SportIdent |
Event Report
Over 40 competitors made the journey on New Years Eve to the village of Great Heywood on the Northern edge of Cannock Chase for what will now become an annual event for Walton Chasers. The Farm Shop located on an intersection of Lanes, Bridleways and Canals made for the perfect event centre and many riders were tempted to take home a treat or two afterwards.
Although the pre entry was quite low, many entered on the day, including a few who were new or returning to the sport. The Canal tow paths, OOBs to seniors, were perfect to get junior competitors out onto Cannock Chase and enabled 3 families with 8 year olds and even a trailer to take part. The two hour option also attracted larger numbers than usual, the shorter format perhaps being more suitable for orienteers who aren’t hard core bikers.
There was reward for those who ventured out without mudguards, the organisers awarding spot prizes of wine to the most covered participants at the finish.
In the end the result went down to the wire with that last finisher, Chris McSweeny taking the win by a large margin, his combined navigation and fitness bringing him ahead of joint 2nd place riders Patrick Higgins and local Mark Jeavons. First pair were Alan Hartley and Sarah Bruce.
The 2 hour event was won by Neil Lawford ahead of Ian Turner with first Lady being Joanna Thompson in her first MBO Score event.
Thanks to Cath, Holly and Kelvin for their help putting out controls and to the Farm Shop for hosting the event.
It is the intention going forward to make this event an annual occurrence so get it in the diary for next year.