FVO Evening Event - South Achray

Brain Bullen organised this evenings event at South Achray, near Aberfoyle. I ran the Green course which was 3.4k with 11 controls.

Results.

Map with course.



Map with my route.

Beccy and Brad's Wedding Event - Dunblane

FVO runners Beccy Osborn and Brad Connor got married at Dunblane Hydro Hotel yesterday and after a memorable wedding reception last night, organised an orienteering event today for friends and family. Beccy had extended the Laigh Hills map so that their home, which was the start and finish for todays event, was on the map. Two courses, a long and a short, were planned and provided a challenging mix of street and park orienteering. I ran the long course which was 5.8k with 18 controls and came 4th in 36:09, circa a minute behind winner Marcus Pinker.

Results.

Map with my course.



Map with my route.

FVO Evening Event - Abbey Craig

Ross McLennan organised the first of FVO's summer evening events at Abbey Craig, near Stirling. I ran the Green (longest) course which was 4.3k with 26 controls and which was won by Ewan McCarthy.

Results.

Maps with course.



Maps with my route.

British Championships - Culbin Forest

SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2008 - British Individual Championships - Culbin East

Culbin Forest was first used for orienteering when the World Championships relays were held there in 1976. Its use since then has been limited because of environmental concerns, but fortunately these were overcome for this event. The eastern part of the area is new to orienteering and is fantastic fast, open forest on intricate sand dunes.

Former British Champion and World Championship runner, Steve Nicholson, planned a testing M50L course which was 9.1k with 200m of climb and 20 controls.

Results.
WinSplits.
RouteGadget.

Map with course - start and finish parts.



Map with course - middle part.



Map with my route - start and finish parts.



Map with my route - middle part.





SUNDAY, APRIL 20, 2008 - British Relay Championships - Culbin West

Culbin West is rougher and in some parts, denser, than the area used for the individual.

I ran in one of FVO's M40 teams. Jon Cross ran first leg, Steve Barrett second and me third and final leg.

Results.
Splits.
RouteGadget.

Map with course.



Map with my route.

ESOC Compass Sport Cup and Trophy - Pentland Hills North

This was the Scottish Round of the Compass Sport Cup and Trophy competition, organised by Edinburgh Southern Orienteering Club. It was held on the northern part of the Pentland Hills - an area which gives fantastic views over Edinburgh, the Firth of Forth and Fife.

I ran the Blue Mens course which was 7.0k with 295m of climb and 19 controls, and which took me 47 minutes.

Results.
Splits.
RouteGadget.

Map with my course.



Map with my route.

INT SoSOL - Dalkeith Park

Interlopers Orienteering Club organised the sixth and final event of the South of Scotland Orienteering League at Dalkeith Park, near Edinburgh. I ran the Brown (longest) course which was 9.3k with 290m of climb and 30 controls, and which took me 59:53. Dave Godfree won in an impresive 54:10.

Results.
WinSplits.
RouteGadeget.

Map with my course.



Map with my route.

River Tay Dash - Night Trail Race

FRIDAY, MARCH 07, 2008



The River Tay Dash, a night trail race; targeted hill runners and I was one of the few orienteers to enter. The course was 8k with 50m of climb and went from the start at The Hermitage, to Birnam via the River Tay. The route was mostly on paths, but did have short sections of road and ploughed field. Forth Valley Orienteers clubmate, Ross McLennan and I went into the lead from the start; our superior lighting giving us a definite advantage! Ross went off course briefly at a bridge crossing (- where I shouted him back) and then went on to win in 27:19, with me in second place in 27:48. Friendly organisation and post-race soup helped make for a really pleasant evening.

Results.

Ross McLennan - running in a recent hill race.



Map of route.

FVO Night Event - South Achray

Jason Inman planned the last of this winters FVO night events at Achray Forest, near Aberfoyle. The course was 5.4k, had a mass start, 21 controls and finished with some technical legs which proved decisive. Will Hensman just beat junior Jamie Stevenson, with Steve Barrett finishing third and me fourth in 44 minutes. Jason had even managed to get sponsorship - shortbread - which tasted great after the evenings exertions!

Results.

Map with course.



Map with my route.

SOLWAY SOL 1 - Drumlanrig Woods

This was the first Scottish Orienteering League race of the year and I got off to a terrible start. I ran M50L which was 7.3k with 245m of climb and 22 controls and had a really bad run, finishing well behind winner Donald Petrie!

Results.
WinSplits.
RouteGadget.

Map with my course.



Map with my route.

ELO SoSOL - John Muir Country Park

This was the fifth race in the South of Scotland Orienteering League and took place at the John Muir Country Park which is located close to the town of Dunbar, around 30 miles east of Edinburgh. A coastal site, it comprises wide sandy beaches, dunes, grassland and pine forest. The Park is named after John Muir, the famous explorer, naturalist and conservationist who was born in Dunbar in 1838. He lived in Scotland until the age of 11 when his family emigrated to the United States. His extensive conservation work led to the establishment of the US National Parks including, during his lifetime, Yosemite, Sequoia and Grand Canyon. He was also the founding president of the Sierra Club.

I ran the Brown course which was 9.5k with 21 controls.

Results.
WinSplits.

RouteGadget.

Map with my course.
Part 1:



Part 2:




Map with my route.
Part 1:



Part 2:

ESOC Scottish Night Championships - Kinneil Wood

Kinneil Wood is on the south side of the Forth Estuary, to the west of Edinburgh. I ran the M50L course which was 6.6k with 170m of climb and 25 controls, and which took me 44 minutes.

Results.
Splits.
RouteGadget.

Maps with my course.
Part 1:



Part 2:



Maps with my route.
Part 1:



Part 2: