Lydeard St Lawrence

Pre Event Info

SPunch - Summer 2026 Series Info

What's SPUNCH?

Spunch is a concept devised by Andy Thornton of MDOC, designed to bridge the gap between runners and orienteers. Studies have shown that one of the biggest blockers to runners participating in an orienteering event is the unfamiliarity with the map, and SPUNCH deals with this by using an Ordnance Survey basemap.

SPUNCH uses the app 'MapRun', which is essentially a GPS treasure hunt app. Turn up your volume and when you run through a checkpoint, you get a satisfying 'ping'. You have 50 checkpoints to choose from and your goal is to visit as many as possible in your allotted time. The events are based around rural villages with high footpath density and the courses are set over a variety of lanes and public rights of way. SPUNCH allows you to discover lovely paths and tracks with great views. It can be done solo, in a pair or as a group. Walk or run, the choice is yours! Newcomers are welcome and there will be help to hand on the day to get you started. Suitable for all ages and abilities and great for family and friends too.

How it Will Work

Just before you leave to come to the event, download the 'MapRun' app to your smartphone. Press 'select event' - UK - Somerset - SPunch - 2026. Load the event onto your device..
When you tap Go to Start, you will be presented with a countdown to the start.
At 1745, ie 15 minutes before the start, the map and controls will appear on your screen.
At 1800 the start will automatically punch and your time begins. Unless you are still driving in and are over 1km away, so lets hope that doesn't apply to anyone.
Do a quick check that the start has punched (turned green) on your screen and off you go. You have 60 or 90 minutes depending on which course you have chosen to visit as many checkpoints as possible.
At the end of your run, whether it is before or after the time limit, you must punch the finish.
It will then attempt to upload your results automatically. If you don't have a good data signal, eg. you have data turned off, this will fail. When you get to a good signal or wifi, manually upload.
All checkpoints are worth 20 points. You will lose 10 points for every 1 minute (or part of) you go over the time limit!

Directions / Parking

Parking is in the village hall car park and when full, on the roads outside- please park considerately and don't block entrances

Course Information

52 controls total. Control descriptions in text format on rear of the map- no loose ones.

Entry Details

Class	Pre-entry	On the night entry
16+	£6	£7
under 16 with accompanying adult	£4	£5
Students	£4	£5

Pre-Enter

Please consider buying a pack of pre-entry credits in advance. This costs you the same but saves the club a lot in credit card fees.

Buy Credits

Registration & Start Times

Registration for those entering on the day (first come first serve) 5:15pm - 5.45pm

Mass start at 6pm. Courses close at 7:30pm.

Terrain Description

Mixed quiet lanes and farmland with extensive path/track network. Somewhat hilly.....

Dog restrictions

Dogs permitted but must be under close control/on lead when crossing farmland (livestock and/or crops)

We will re-locate afterwards to the Tap Room, Bishops Lydeard, for post-race rehydration and route discussion purposes

Important Event Information

Insurance: Please note: Participants who are not members of British Orienteering are not covered by British Orienteering’s public liability insurance. By entering this event, you acknowledge that you are taking part at your own risk. For example, if you were to accidentally injure a member of the public or damage property during the event, you would not be covered.

Safety and Risk: A comprehensive risk assessment will have been carried out by the organiser, but participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event. All participants must report to download whether they finish their course or not.

Privacy: when participating in our events/activities your name may appear in the results section of this website or in newspaper reports. Read our data protection page to see how we look after your personal data.

Photography: QO has an agreed policy on the taking of photographs at events, based on national guidance. This provides a sensible balance between the benefits and risks associated with the taking and use of images. If you are unsure about acceptable practice, please speak to the event organiser. Photos taken may be retained beyond the 2 year window for legacy purposes.

Safeguarding: QO is aware of it's responsibilities in safeguarding and child protection. To comply with The Child Safeguarding Practice Review and Relevant Agency (England) Regulations 2018, we now provide an email address for individuals to report concerns to the Lead Safeguarding Officer. This address is safeguarding@britishorienteering.org.uk.