Long O weekend

Day 1 is in the Quantocks

Day 2 is at Cloud Farm in Doone Country, Exmoor, (link: report from last event there).

For its many regulars from far and wide, the event has become a favourite on the orienteering calendar. This will be our 20th long O, the inaugral event having taken place in 1997.

- Learn more about our Long O and events in previous years in our dedicated section

For the last few years, I've been using the Long-O weekend as preparation for the OMM*. Usually, it‘s used as a fitness gauge, normally inspiring more intensive training, and a chance to check out our equipment and nutrition strategy.

- a Long-O regular (* OMM= the Original Mountain Marathon)

This year, there will be a new scoring format to add extra spice to the day 1 event. The event should appeal to competitors wishing to test themselves over longer courses but also aims to attract those who enjoy a shorter outing.

Different course lengths can be combined over the two days. The longer courses are unsuitable for novices and unaccompanied juniors (entry to medium and short at the discretion of the organiser). Participants may run as a pair. For those wishing to stay in the area camping available at Cloud Farm 01598 741278. Well behaved dogs under close control are allowed but not with long course competitors on Day 2.

Day 1 Saturday

A technical score event on the western slopes of the Quantock Hills from near Wilmot's Pond, with a mix of forest and open ground. Choose from 1, 2 or 3 hours. Score format designed to allow a good variety of routes and controls even in 1 hour. The map scale will be 1:15,000. There will also be a selection of courses suitable for juniors during the afternoon.

Further details- Day 1 event page

Day 2 Sunday

Cloud Farm in the superb Doone Valley (previously used in 2011) provides the base for a more "mountain marathon" experience with longer courses providing plenty of route choice and lots of good open running. Course lengths short 7.5 km, medium 13.5 km and long 18 km. Entry includes the traditional home-made soup, bread, cake and hot drinks.

Further details- Day 2 event page

Late entries

Please contact Rosie Wych to let her know you intend to run to help her establish map numbers.

A limited number of maps will be printed for entry on the day.

Queries and payments for late entries will be dealt with at the registration desk for each event.

Start list

Contact

Rosie Wych 01823 400744 (until 08.00 on 30 September) or

secretary@ quantock orienteers.co.uk

rwych@hotmail.co.uk

More Long O's

Although our neighbours Devon OC (with QO in 2016) and Bristol OK (2013) have put on Long O style events in recent years, only one other UK club appears to be doing so this year. That club is Wrekin OC of Shropshire and the venue was the Long Mynd. We can claim to have the longest long O though! The longest course on offer in Shropshire was 12km and our longest courses tend to be at least 50% longer than that. Our organising team Andy Rimes and Rosie Wych had a run there. Links: Results, Photos.

A plea to QO members

Despite attracting entrants from faraway Finland and France in 2016, frustratingly we could only muster a dozen from QO. Not to mention the helpers remaining largely the same year on year. Co-organiser Rosie Wych issues a plea for a greater club presence at this year's autumn showpiece...

You don't have to be a mountain marathon runner as there is always a shorter course and walking is often a more reliable technique!

If you have read Jeff's article on the 2016 Long O event you may be inspired to participate later this year when the event returns to the Quantocks and Exmoor. In recent years the number of QO participants has dropped - despite the fact that many regulars describe it as their favourite event of the season. It would be good to see more members trying something a little different - you don't have to be a mountain marathon runner as there is always a shorter course and walking is often a more reliable technique!

There is also the added attraction of the traditional soup and cake which are extremely welcome after a long run and opportunity for much route choice discussion. The event has habitually been planned and organised by a small team of regulars and we need to expand the team for the event to proceed. If you are interested in planning or helping out in any way please get in touch. There is plenty of help available from more experienced members.

- Rosie Wych

secretary@ quantock orienteers.co.uk