World Orienteering Championships 2015 Candidate - Scotland

British Orienteering is a candidate to host the IOF World Orienteering Championships in 2015 and has prepared a Facebook page to publicise the bid: http://www.facebook.com/WOC2015Candidate

The key features of the bid are partnership, world class terrain, live tv, sustainability and international development; with more details of these to be found on the following link: http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/images/uploaded/downloads/events_woc2015_leaflet.pdf

The supporting document http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=141426425938532&set=pu.140672086013966&type=1&theater illustrates how superb the terrain is and what a wonderful venue Inverness would be for the Championships! Some of the photos from the document can be found below.

Hill races - Knock Hill, Crieff and Oxton Border Games

With few orienteering events on immediately prior to the Scottish 6 Days at Oban and a very strong field in M50, I decided to do some hill races to stay motivated and to keep in shape. Scottish Hill Racing and Scottish Hill Runners provide excellent information on hill racing in Scotland.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

Knock Hill, Crieff

This race was 8k with 210m of climb (although Strathearn Harriers
describe the route as 8.6k with 420m of climb) and was won by Brian Bonnyman of Westerlands in 32:26.

Results.




SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2011

Oxton Border Games

This was 5k with 100m of climb and was won by Darin Dougal in 18:20.

Results.



Last weekend also saw the Snowdon Hill Race in Wales which was televised and which features Murray Strain of Interlopers. If you haven't seen it, it's well worth a watch: http://www.s4c.co.uk/clic/e_level2.shtml?programme_id=499410345

INVOC Event - Rogie

INVOC events are always good - quality forests, maps and planning, and ; given the proximity of the Moray Firth, give an opportunity for some post race dolphin watching. I ran the Blue (longest) course which was 5.8k with 235m of climb and 17 controls.

Results.
Splits.

WMOC - Pecs, Hungary

Pecs, in the south of Hungary, was the venue for this years WMOC and provided 5 great races.


FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2011
Sprint Model - Pecs Kertvaros





SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011
Sprint Qualification - Pecs Belvaros

I ran M50-1 which was 2.4k with 95m of climb and 13controls.

Results.
Splits.
RouteGadget.




SUNDAY, JULY 3, 2011
Sprint Final - Komlo Kenderfold

I ran M50-A which was 2.2k with 80m of climb and 13 controls.

Results.
Splits.
RouteGadget.




MONDAY, JULY 4, 2011
Long Model - Lyukas hars




TUESDAY, JULYL 5, 2011
Long Qualification 1 - Szarvaskut

I ran M50-3 which was 7.0k with 295m of climb and 15 controls.

Results.
Splits.
RouteGadget.




WENESDAY, JULY 6, 2011
Long Qualification 2 - Vizfo

I ran M50-3 which was 6.8k with 230m of climb and 18 controls.

Results.
Splits.
RouteGadget.




FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2011
Long Final - Szuado

I ran M50-A which was 7.7k with 370m of climb and 16 controls.

Results.
Splits.
RouteGadget.

Scottish O League race 4 - Culbin East

Brian Bullen, FVO. Photo from Moravian Orienteers website.

Moravian Orienteers organised the fourth Scottish Orieneteering League race of 2011 at Culbin East - an area of forested sand dunes on the Moray Coast, to the east of Inverness. I ran the M50L (Short Brown) course which was 8.9k with 205m of climb and 21 controls, and which was superb throughout!

Results.
WinSplits.
RouteGadget.

ESOC Long O - Blackhouse Heights

Today's ESOC Long O took place in the Scottish Borders was very tough underfoot. I ran the Short course which was 10.6k with 500m of climb and 5 controls. Afterwards, we went into Edinburgh for the Meadows Festival which, with it's music and stalls, provided a nice contrast to running in the hills.

Results.

Lothian Running Club - Glas Tulaichean uphill race

The Glas Tulaichean uphill race was the first hill race I have done for some time and is the first time I have ever done an uphill only race - 7.2k with 670m of climb. The race was organised by Lothian Running Club, with Martin Hyman playing a key role, and despite a disappointingly small entry was great, if tough, fun to participate in! The race winner, in a time of 37:06, was Paul Faulkner of Carnethy Hill Running Club. Special mention must be made of the post-race catering which was delicious and of the prize giving which saw every participant receive a prize!

Results.

Scottish Relays - Drummond Castle and Torlum

It's always good to run in new orienteering areas and Drummond Castle and Torlum was no exception. Like yesterday, the forest was tough going, especially so following last Monday's storm; but it again provided a good technical challenge, with spectator interest at the control to the south of the pond. I ran third leg for FVO Facetious (Ben Stansfield was first off, with Jason Inman on second leg) on the Handicap 6+ course, with my leg being 4.9k with 210m of climb and 21 controls.

Results.
WinSplits.
RouteGadget.

Scottish Championships - Auchingarrich

This years Scottish Championships took place at Auchingarrich, a tough and varied area near Comrie. Planners Mike Stewart and Grant Carstairs planned my M50L course which made great use of the area and which was 8.2k with 255m of climb and 22 controls.

Results.
WinSplits.
RouteGadget.

LOC WOC Selection Races-Bigland and Holme Fell

Lakeland Orienteering Club organised this years World Orienteering Championships Selection Races, which also incorporated the UK Cup, the North West Orienteering League and (on Saturday) the UK Masters Cup. As always in the Lake District, the terrain was superb and together with excellent maps and course planning, made for another weekend of quality orienteering.

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2011
Middle Race - Bigland

I ran the Brown Men (M16, M45 and M50 course) which was 4.3k with 270m of climb and 22 controls.

Results.
WinSplits.
RouteGadget.



SUNDAY, MAY 22, 2011
Long Race - Holme Fell

I ran the Short Brown 2 (M45L and M50L) which was 6.8k with 460m of climb and 18 controls.

Results.
WinSplits.
RouteGadget.

British Championships - Sheffield

This years British Championships took place near Sheffield, with South Yorkshire Orienteers organising the individual and East Penine Orienteering Club organising the relay. Both areas were varied and interesting, and, with good organisation, maps and planning, made for a great weekend.

SATURDAY, MAY 14, 2011

British Individual Champioships - Wharnclffe and Greno

I ran M50L which was 8.8k with 270m of climb and 23 controls. Tim Tett won from Martin Bagness.

Results.
RouteGadget.



SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2011

British Relay Champioships - Tankersley Woods

I ran third leg on the M50 course - which was 4.0k with 125m of climb and 21 controls.

Results.
RouteGadget.

Scottish O League race 3 - Dallaschyle

Inverness Orienteering Club organised the third Scottish Orieneteering League race of 2011 at Dallaschyle - an area used for the World Orienteering Championships in 1999. I ran the M50L (Short Brown) course which was 7.1k with 275m of climb and 19 controls, and which was both technically and physically demanding.

Results.
RouteGadget.

INVOC Event - Battan

Battan is a fantastic area near Inverness and with wonderful weather and a really well planned course, orienteering doesn't get much better! I ran the Brown course which was 7.0k with 335m of climb and 18 controls.

Results.

FVO Evening Event - Doune

Dave Nicol organised tonight's event on a lovely, sunny evening. I ran the Long course which was 5.0k with 12 controls and which took me 26 minutes.

Results.

FVO Evening Event - Minewoods and Bridge of Allan

Dave Coustick planned tonight's event at Bridge of Allan. I ran the Long course which was 4.6k with 10 controls, and which won by Tom Ryan in 30 minutes.

Results.

Scottish O League race 2 - Polmaise and Sauchie Woods

Forth Valley Orienteers organised the second Scottish Orienteering League race of 2011 at Polmaise and Sauchie Woods, near Stirling. I ran the M50L (Short Brown) course which was 6.2k with 305m of climb and 19 controls.

Results.
WinSplits.
RouteGadget.

Map part 1.



Map part 2.