Scottish Orienteering League 2022Coille NathaisSun 27 February, 2022
Regional level event
Explanation of Event levels
Local events are usually low key and in the 'localised' area, ideal for newcomers to try the sport and Activities are non competitive events used for training and coaching, aimed at members of the club, but they can attract people from neighbouring clubs, and are often ideal for newcomers to try the sport. Regional events attract participants from around the local Region, National events are high quality competitions that will attract people from far away, Major events are Major Events such as a British Championships.
Results
Report
This event was originally supposed to have taken place in March 2020, two years ago. A lot has happened since then but we never gave up hope that it would eventually go ahead. Yesterday, the SOL 2 did. As an extra bonus we were also treated to some fantastic, though slightly chilly Argyll weather and yes, it could have been so much worse. The organisers and planners went through the daily ritual of 'the sundance' and it worked a treat!
The route to the start, the courses and the terrain all combined to provide an interesting and 'enjoyable' challenge. Having been out in the area today control collecting, I can appreciate how important it was not to lose contact with the map and to have a definite plan and accurate direction out of the control. Relocation would have been very challenging in places.
It was great to see the SCOTJOS cake stall doing a roaring trade and I believe they made in excess of £200.00. The competitors felt they had truly earned their cake! It was noted that some had a breakfast cake, a pre-run cake for energy and a post run cake or two or three to replace all those used up calories.
An amazing amount of work went on behind the scenes to bring this event to fruition so EckO would like to thank the following:
Planners: Ross Lilley and Dave Bleazard planned some quality courses, taped and placed controls and finally Ross 'woke up' all 44 units on the morning of the event. Stunning effort.
Controller: Grant Carstairs (TAY) very kindly volunteered to control the event. His quiet, calming presence and confidence before and during the event was very reassuring indeed.
Organisers: Jan and Andrea - dotted all the i's and crossed all the t's
Parking: John, Finlo, Bryan, Linda, Alison, Penny, Chris and Jim managed to park close to 100 cars safely on the forest tracks. No mean feat!
Red Start: Bill, Dave, Ruairi, Elisabeth and Ailsa expertly started the juniors out on their courses.
Blue Start: Judging by the photos Susannah, Gill, Iris, Jana, Ayden, John and Suse had the blue start well under control.
Photography: Julie managed to get some great snap shots
Entries/ SI/ Download: Alan, Andy and Paul very expertly managed the technical side of the event culminating in results, winsplits and routegadget being made available on the website very promptly indeed. Many competitors have already uploaded their routes onto routegadget providing lots of discussion on the best route choice.
General help and clearing up: Liz C, Ruari, Finlay, Finlo, Jan, Alan, Bill, Ross and Andy
Control Collecting: Liz C, Ruari, Andy, Jan and Ross
Press Release: John had an article ready for the Oban Times almost before courses closed.
Competitors: Thank you for making the journey over to the West and taking part in our event with such enthusiasm. It was so good to be able to provide beautiful sunshine for your enjoyment and a stunning area for you to pit your wits in. Thank you also for your very positive comments which make such a difference to the moral of the volunteers.
Our next event is planned for Ardnaskie, near Taynuilt on Sunday 27th March. Further details will be uploaded shortly.
Pre Event Info
Join us near Taynuilt for the second SOL race of 2022. Event assembly, car parking and junior/ beginner races are in Fearnoch Forest with all other races in Coille Nathais.
We would like to thank in advance Lorne Nelson Estates and Forestry & Land Scotland (Coilltearachd agus Fearann Alba) for giving us permission to use both areas for the event.
Start times are available here.
Final details are available here.
Covid Regulations:
Please do not attend this event if you are currently exhibiting any Covid symptons. As with our previous events, we respectfully ask you all to observe the current COVID regulations, 1m social distancing, avoid gathering in groups at download and that you are familiar with British Orienteering's Code of Conduct
Location Info
Near: Taynuilt Lat,Lng: 56.43683,-5.29168 OS Grid Ref: NM981323 Postcode: PA35 1HZ
Open an interactive map in:
GoogleMap -
Streetmap (OS 50k)
OpenStreetMap -
BingMap (OS 50k)
Directions / Parking
Directions: W3W: booklets.tumble.positives
From Taynuilt:
Approximately 2.5km after Taynuilt, turn left off the A85 into Fearnoch using the forestry commission entrance. Follow the signage.
From Oban:
Approximately 6km after Connel, turn right off the A85 into Fearnoch using the forestry commission entrance (not Fearnoch village). Follow the signage.
Car parking will be South of the Event Arena in Fearnoch along the forest roads. Please follow the directions of the car parking volunteers. All cars must be parked by 12:00 and there will be no exit until 12:30. The forestry is charging us for parking cars in the forest so please have £2.00 at the gate.
All campervans and minibuses apart from large motorhomes will be parked along the forest roads.
There is limited space (4 motorhomes only) in the forestry carpark so please let the organiser know as soon as possible if you intend to travel to the event in your motorhome.
Limited space for overnight self contained campervan/motorhome parking prior to the event may be available at the discretion of Forest Land and Scotland for a small charge, and on a first come first served basis. Please let the organiser know if you wish to apply for a space.
Map / Terrain
Fearnoch is a large area of commercial plantation with a network of forest roads and trails.
Coille Nathais is a fabulous area of mainly birch and oak dominated woodland interspersed with open areas and plenty of marshes.
Registration and Start times
If you have hired a dibber, this will be available for collection from the event assembly.
Starts are from 11:00 until 13:00.
Start times are now available here
Printed control descriptions will be available for the Coille Nathais courses
Courses close at 15:00.
Course Information
There will be two starts.
Far away start (white, yellow and orange courses) is a 1.1km walk along forest track and will be in Fearnoch. Young juniors should be accompanied to their start. If you don't need to pick up a hired dibber from event assembly, this start can be accessed from the parking area. Follow the signage.
Near start (light green to black) is 0.3km walk from the event arena along a rough path into Coille Nathais.
Start procedure is a -4 min call-up and punching start.
There will be two finishes both close to their respective starts
Fearnoch for White, Yellow, Orange. Young juniors should be accompanied back from the finish.
Coille Nathais for Light Green to Black
Please follow signage to get back to the Event Arena
Courses close at 15:00
PLEASE GO TO DOWNLOAD, EVEN IF YOU DON’T FINISH
This is our way of checking that no competitors are lost or injured.
Course lengths are subject to planning amendments and final controlling but will be in the region of:
White 1.8km
Yellow 2.0km
Orange 2.2km
Light Green 2.7km
Short Green 3.3km
Green 3.9km
Short Blue 4.6km
Blue 5.5km
Short Brown 6.7km
Brown 7.9km
Black 10.00km
Entry Details
This event is pre-entry only. There will be no entry on the day.
Seniors: £14 (SOA/BOF affiliated members) £15 (non-members)
Juniors/ Students: £ 6 (SOA/BOF affiliated members) £7 (non-members)
Entries are now closed.
Electronic Timing:
Sportident (SI) electronic timing will be used, with SI Air enabled. Please request a dibber when entering the event (SIAC hire - £2.50, SI-Card hire - free). There will be a £30 charge if lost.
Dog restrictions
Dogs will enjoy a romp In Fearnoch but no dogs are allowed in Coille Nathais. Please keep your dogs under control and clear up after them. Thank you.
Facilities
As there is restricted space at the event assembly, there will only be one download tent.
There will be three portaloos at event assembly only.
A first aid kit and volunteer first aider will be available to provide first aid for minor injuries at the event assembly but for all other injuries please go to Lorn and the Isles District General Hospital PA34 4HH Tel. 01631 567500
HOT OFF THE PRESS:
We see the return of the cake stall. SCOTJOS will be running a cake stall to raise funds so please consider supporting them and enjoying a cake or two or three pre and post run.
Miscellaneous
Safety Information:
- All competitors take part at their own risk and should choose a course that matches their experience and fitness.
- You MUST report to Download by the Course Closing Time
- Please dress appropriately for the outdoors on the West coast of Scotland in February
- Whistles are advisable and depending on the weather conditions cagoules might be recommended/compulsory
- There are ticks in the area; please wear full leg cover, check thoroughly for ticks after your run, and be aware of the symptons of Lyme Disease.
- Competitors with a medical condition are invited to download a Medical Form, complete it and leave it in a named sealed envelope at Download. Once all competitors are accounted for after the event these will be destroyed.
Contacts / Officials
Planners: Ross Lilley, Dave Bleazard
Controller: Grant Carstairs
Organisers: Jan Kersel. Andrea Lines
Contact Event Team here