Ham Hill

Planner's comments

I am grateful to the 65 people who braved the wet and windy weather to take part in QOFL5. Rain over the last few weeks and again during the event itself turned even lesser used paths into mudstreams - even the route to the start had become challenging by the end.

From comments received it seems most people were happy with the physical and technical challenges provided by the courses. Despite the conditions, winning times were a little quicker than the last event at Ham Hill in 2015. Yellow was a little short, but Ham Hill does not lend itself to making a longer course that avoids crossing the road.

Thanks are due to all the QO helpers (listed below) and in particular to Bill Vigar for repeatedly producing updated maps in minimal time, to Angela Modica for thinking of everything and then handling it all and to Tony Hext, who did much more than the controller's jobs description suggests, and who consistently provided sound advice and support.

- Pete Akers

Controller's comments

What a day.....what a challenge!

The weather, the location, the change to a Saturday, the beginning of half-term seemed to conspire to reduce numbers. Well done to the sixty-six hardy souls that took part.

Well done also to the background staff who enabled the event to take place. Pete Akers for his excellent planning in what is a difficult area....small, compact, very detailed and hard to get the distances required for the longer courses. Angela Modica and her team of volunteers, especially the essential road crossing marshals and those who did double shifts. A lot of pre-event preparation work is necessary and I must thank Bill Vigar (mapping) and Bob Lloyd (permissions). Also Roger and Judy Craddock (IT, tea and tips)

The latest results are revised to call pairs of participants "non- competitive"(n/c) in the context that QOFL is a series of events for the individual competitor. While pairs or groups can be beneficial to people starting or even improving in the sport, they cannot expect to be competitive in an event for individuals. There is bound to be an element of coaching or helping each other which makes it a team effort.

Conditions on the terrain deteriorated as the event went on with muddy steep tracks and slopes hopefully not impeding anybody too much. There were some missed controls on a difficult day on a difficult area but I hope most felt they had had a good day out.

- Tony Hext

Organiser's comments

Despite the weather, all went to plan on the day. The time of arrival of the early shift helpers was slightly delayed to avoid ParkRun congestion. The wet weather, lack of SI trained helpers and livestock were all concerns. As a result notices were posted on the club website and on the day. These warned of the cattle (and which courses they infringed) and of the muddy/slippery/steepness of slopes, and all competitors were asked to be patient if downloading results was slow. Organising the event began late last year when Pete, Tony and I met at the venue to chat about how we were going to manage runners /competitors movements and mitigate risks. We decided to prioritise the safe flow and movements of the runners around the courses and work out how many helpers we would need to stage the event. We also chatted about competing/complementary events we could target our advertising with a ‘come and try orienteering today’ sign.

Designated road crossings where marshalled on the busy/fast road with signage on either side to help reduce the speed of traffic. The threat of stranger danger and junior courses (that ran along-side a car park and in close proximity to a road crossing) was addressed with the creation of a white/yellow course steward to patrol area. The terrain increased the risk of injuries so we also decided to create the role of a ‘mobile first aider’.

It was noted that the helpers were working in isolation (especially on the road crossings) and may get lonely, so keeping in contact was important. A last minute request to help from Graham Hartley, ensured the creation of a ‘mobile support helper’ who roamed between sites ensuring the helpers remained upbeat and informed.

Many, many thanks to all the helpers for all their time and energy in all essential areas of responsibility and helping to make the club event a success.

Thanks for taking the time to read,
-Angela Modica

Credits

Organiser's assistant: Annabel Davies

Organiser's messenger: Graham Hartley

First aiders: Helen Taylor, Angela Modica, Judy & Roger Craddock, Chris Hasler

Mobile first aider with car: David Harrison