Information About Competitions

AREA :- the competition area will be largely on open runnable terrain.

MAP :- This year we shall again be supplying weatherproof premarked maps - these will show your course and any map corrections. Bring a poly bag if you want to further protect your map.

PROVISIONAL COURSE INFORMATION :-
Distances in kilometres and climb in metres. The estimated winning times are in hours over the 2 days.
The figures have been updated and are now based on this year's courses.
Class/Course Day 1 Day 2 Estimated Winning Time
A 23 km/900m 19.5 km/750m 6.5 hours
B 18 km/750m 16 km/600m 6 hours
C and C Pairs 15 km/550m 13 km/400m 4 hours
D and D Pairs 11 km/350m 9 km/300m 3.5 hours

CLASSES :- 4 classes for solo competitors (A, B, C and D); two classes for pairs (run over course C or course D). Your result over the 2 days will be based on the total time taken to complete the course for each day correctly.

START TIMES :-
Day 1 start times are likely to be from 10-00 till about 12-30 and the entry form allows entrants to specify preferences e.g. to be close to someone else or to ask for an approximate time. Entries received in the same envelope will be allocated similar start times (unless you ask otherwise). If you are on the same course, 'similar' or 'start time close to' another person means about 16 minutes apart.
We always try to accommodate any reasonable requests!

Start times for day 1 will be sent out along with the final instructions and will be published on this site.

On Day 2, the start times will depend on your result for Day 1 (unless you have only entered for Day 2). There will be a chasing start (first start 9-00) for those finishing within one hour of their Day 1 course leader (classes C and C pairs will be combined for this purpose as will D and D pairs). Others will start from 10-10 at one minute intervals in reverse order i.e. slowest first. It is likely that most people will have started by 10-30 and that everyone will be off before 11-00. This means that folk can set off on their journey homewards at a reasonable time on the Sunday.
We would hope to have a list of start times for Day 2 available at the event centre by early evening on Day 1.
For those who enter Day 2 only, start times are assigned between 10-00 and 10-10 (if this is a problem, ask and we'll try to help - but it must not interfere with the chasing start times).

PRIZES :-
We are again greatly indebted to our sponsor AMG Outdoor Ltd (owner of Force Ten, Vango and Phoenix) for their generous help with prizes. These are based on the combined times for both days as follows.

  • 1st, 2nd and 3rd in classes A, B, C and D
  • 1st lady in classes A, B, C and D
  • 1st veteran handicap (40 and over on 01/01/06) in classes A, B, C and D
  • 1st pair in C Pairs class and D Pairs class

  • As is customary with this type of event, previous class prize winners are not eligible for a prize in the same or a lower (shorter) class/course. This does not apply to the A class or to the veterans' prizes.

    • VETERANS' HANDICAP :- The veterans' prizes (individual competitions A, B, C and D only, not pairs) will be decided using a handicap system. An allowance of 30 seconds per hour will be calculated for each year that your age is over 40.
    Example - you are 54 and you have a time of 4 hours 10 minutes 30 seconds.

  • Total seconds taken = 4x3600 + 10x60 + 30 = 14400 + 600 + 30 = 15030
  • Hours taken = 15030 / 3600 = 4.175
  • Handicap allowance in seconds = 30 x 4.175 x (years over 40) = 125.25 x 14 = 1753.5
  • This will be rounded to 1754.
  • Converting to minutes and seconds gives 29 min 14 sec.
  • Adjusted time for the vets handicap = 3 hours 41 min 16 sec.

    • This time will be used for the veterans' prizes only.

    AGE LIMIT :-

  • All competitors must be at least 18 years old on 01/01/06. Younger competitors will be very welcome at the NATO orienteering event which takes place alongside this one - enter on the day.

    OTHER RULES :-

  • The event will be under FRA rules and has been registered with the FRA.
  • Competitors should arrive at the event prepared to carry all of the FRA obligatory equipment. This will be listed in the final instructions and is likely to include a long sleeved windproof/waterproof cagoule with head cover, windproof trousers and a whistle plus sufficient food and extra clothing to survive a day in the hills. Equipment checks may be carried out.
  • Dogs are not allowed in the competition area.
  • Entries will be stored on a computer and your entry implies acceptance of this.
  • You take part in this event at your own risk. No responsibility is attached to the event officials or NATO for any loss, damage or injury resulting from entering or participating in the event.
  • Any competitor who does not complete the course MUST REPORT TO THE DOWNLOAD POINT. Whilst you are responsible for your own safety, we do check that everyone who went out does return.
  • Competitors may not use GPS or similar systems. Altimeters are allowed.

    • OFFICIALS :-
    The event is run by members of Newcastle and Tyneside Orienteers.
    Entries/Start Times/Results - Andrew Nicoll Organiser - Fred Miller Planner - Adrian Barnes Controller - Patrick Smyth