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A great event for everyone, whether experienced in urban orienteering or not. Washington offers a mixture of complex modern housing estates with a varied network of footpaths, underpasses and parkland. The roads are quiet and there is not a lot of height gain, particularly on the shorter courses.
Road running shoes are recommended, rather than orienteering shoes. Some route choices on the longer courses could take you through small areas of undergrowth. You might choose to wear trousers rather than shorts, or avoid those areas.
Assembly and download: Tents on grassy area opposite Washington Leisure Centre NE38 7SS, (adjacent to the finish). What 3 words //being.cling.parade, Google maps
Travel: Buses from surrounding area to Galleries Bus Station (10 minutes walk)
(Photo by Malc McDonald, CC BY-SA 2.0)
Driving: From A1(M) & A194(M) or A19 & A1231 follow Washington Highway A182 to exit “The Galleries” following brown signs.
Parking:
Filter left into The Galleries’ western car park (4 hours free). Park as close to ASDA as possible and walk towards and along the right side of ASDA, crossing the bridge to the Leisure Centre (5+ minutes). Parking location: what 3 words ///sage.waving.lotsNB: We do not recommend parking at the Leisure Centre, because the car registration must be entered at Centre Reception within 10 minutes of arrival to avoid a fine. The Centre says many first time visitors have been caught out.
Entry: Enter in advance via SI Entries before midnight on Sunday 15 November. £7 per adult and £2 per junior or student. Entry on the day also possible for courses 6 and 7 only, subject to map availability.
Course Men’s classes Women’s classes 1 Men Open (M18-35) 2 Veteran Men (M40+) Women Open (W18-35) 3 Super Veteran Men (M55+) Veteran Women (W40+) 4 Ultra Veteran Men (M65+) Super Veteran Women (W55+) 5 Hyper Veteran Men (M75+) Ultra Veteran Women (W65+) 6 Hyper Veteran Women (W75+) 7 Junior Men (M16-) Junior Women (W16-) 8 Young Junior Men (M12-), newcomers Young Junior Women (W12-), newcomers Course notes: Course lengths are given as optimal distances avoiding physically impassable obstructions (buildings, uncrossable fences) and ‘out of bounds’ areas NOT as the crow flies.
Courses 7 and 8 feature mandatory road crossing points (underpasses) which MUST be used. On the other courses, underpasses and a zebra crossing are optional, but advised.
Competitors aged under 16 at the time of the race may only enter course 7 or 8.
Punching: SPORTident electronic (SIAC enabled). For dibber loan apply with your pre entry. Dibbers are available for purchase from £32 upwards from SPORTident.
Map: O on map = play equipment X on map = bench
Forbidden areas as usual Underpass symbol
Starts: 11:00–12:30, taped route from Assembly, 300 metres’ walk. Courses close 13:45.
Facilities: Leisure Centre: Toilets (all times) and Café (opening times vary). Shopping Centre: Toilets and Cafés.
Dogs: Under close control.
Officials:
Organiser: Kim Sanderson sandersonkim@hotmail.comPlanner: Martin Edney Controller: Julian Warren
Safety: Orienteering is an adventure sport. Risks have been assessed and hazards mitigated as far as possible.
Be aware of urban hazards – traffic, cycles and pedestrians: particularly at blind corners. Please take care of yourself and others.
