Results of Local event at the Hermitage, Dunkeld on 18th June 2006

Organiser/Planner's Comments

It was encouraging to see so many competitors turn out for this event, particularly those from further afield. Amongst the first to arrive was John Ward, en route back south after a week in Scotland, and there was a special welcome for Lisa Lampe from Australia, on her way to the World Orienteering Championships later this summer.

The courses were all quite challenging, even the White course with a steep climb from the first control. In particular, the brashings on the longer courses inevitably made the going slower. All credit to the three family groups who took on the Orange course, likewise to Imogen Beck, trying Orange for the first time, and to local youngster, Laura Nicoll, who showed great stamina in coping with the long grass and the zigzags of the Orange course.

The Nicholson family from FVO made it first on both the White and the Blue courses, with Steve showing other competitors a clean pair of heels in the excellent time of 62.04. TAY competitors Mike Goldthorpe and Donald Smith also had good times, coming in 2nd and 3rd on the Blue respectively. John Ward, OD, had an excellent run on the Green course with a fast time of 56:46, with TAY member David Williamson coming in 3rd on 73:31. New TAY member, Marieke Dwarshuis, also had a good run and looks ready to challenge some of her new colleagues on the longer courses.

Mention a BBQ and you bring the rain - well, no sooner were the first of the competitors out on their runs than the heavens opened, putting an end to all prospects of a tasty end to the event. Nonetheless, most people seemed to have enjoyed themselves, and we hope to see many of them at future TAY events.

Thanks to all for attending, especially those from other clubs and those new to the activity. Particular thanks to Liz Fraser and Julie Goldthorpe for helping at registration, and to Mike Goldthorpe for taking in controls afterwards.

Planning comments: The Hermitage end of Craigvinean forest presents particular challenges - the narrow "neck" between the north and south ends provides something of a bottleneck, and the wonderful mature pines not only shed needles but lead to a vast array of brashings! However, there are some wonderful features, ranging from the steep crags, gulleys and re-entrants in the north to the more gentle riverside network of paths in the south. The opportunity to see such a range of wildlife, including red squirrels, made the planner's job of surveying and laying out controls a very pleasant one!

For a future event I would move the start and finish to a more central position so that the shorter courses could visit more of the riverside area and make better use of the extensive range of features. This would mean some changes in parking arrangements, but would be beneficial.

Moira Laws

White Course

1.2km, 45m climb

Orange Course

2.5km, 60m climb

Green Course

4.0km, 205m climb

Blue Course

7.5 km, 290m climb

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