Autumn/Winter Local 2024/5 series: Ashington Forest

• Date: Sat 14^th Dec 2024
• Registration opens: 10:00 am closes: 11:00 am
• Starts from: 10:00 am

^{Note change of date from original publicity}

Third of a series of low key local Saturday morning events, in and around Tyneside, with a league to encourage participation and competition. Courses suitable for beginners (advice will be available) and the more experienced wanting some training competition.

Terrain: The site of the former Ashington colliery: extensively planted with trees, blocks varying from easy running to a fair bit of fight with courses designed to acknowledge this. Two large hills to the south level out to the north with a wide stream and lake on the eastern side to give variety. Wise route choice will be important. The area is split by the bed of an old disconnected railway line running NNW to SSE with rails still in place in the southern half. The trackbed can be crossed at any point – no trains expected!

Travel: Signed from roundabout on A197 Rotary Parkway near Asda and Police Station.
Car: The A197 runs from A1 (at St. Leonard’s Junction) through to A189 Spine Road along the northern edge of Ashington. Turn off northwards at the roundabout by ASDA. NE63 9UN NZ274880 ///poets.honeybees.reverses Google Maps

Bus: X21 or X22 from Newcastle Haymarket, 35 Morpeth > Newbiggin and other services to Ashington Bus Station. From here leave by entrance opposite ASDA, turn right and head past Morrison Glazing on the other side of A197 Rotary Parkway.

Parking: Considerately on nearby streets.

Assembly: Cross the (occasionally live) railway. Start 250 m.

Note: A Park Run is likely to take place in the woods at 9:00 a.m. with resultant foot and car traffic early on.

Facilities: New Leisure Centre and ASDA for post “O” sport, refreshment or shopping.

Entry: Senior £5.00 Junior £2.00 Family £5.00. Entry on the day only.  Please provide exact change or offer a card. Large groups should give prior notice, please.

Courses: Yellow (2.3 km.) ~ Orange (2.9 km.) ~ Long Orange designated Red (5.1 km.).
Maps ands Controls
Sites will be marked with a miniature O sign and orange tape secured with a clothes peg. Markers will have a code letter in permanent marker to be written on the control card. Carry a pen.
Electronic timing will be used for start and finish. All runners will be issued with a loan dibber which will be downloaded off site. Timing tickets will be issued at download.
Scoring:
100 points for the winner of each course, 99 for second, 98 for third etc. Anyone running in a course above their class will get a bonus of 5 points (10 for 2 courses above) and, likewise, anyone running a course below their class will be docked 5 points (10 for 2 courses below).

Safety: Orienteering is an adventure sport. Risks have been assessed and mitigated as far as possible . However, participants take part at their own risk.

League scores