Spring series #3Creag Mhic ChaileinSun 27 June, 2021
Local 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
Creag Mhic Chailein was at its best on Sunday, enhanced by the glorious weather and gentle breeze = no midges = lots of happy faces.
The event attracted a large number of competitors and juniors from SWAT spent the morning training up on the mid hill. (see separate report).
The courses were well planned taking the competitors through the wide variety of terrain that Creag Mhic offers with some challenging longer legs and loops on the TD5 courses. It was very gratifying seeing competitors coming through download with very hot, sweaty faces and hearing comments like " I really enjoyed that", "excellent course", "that was so much fun".
We would like to give a huge thank you to Dave Bleazard for planning the courses and dedicating his weekend (and several evenings leading up to the event) to putting out controls and helping out on the day. Many thanks to Ross Lilley for controlling the event.
We would also like to thank several other volunteers - Bill Kersel for very efficiently running the starts - he noted that several people commented on the coloured map boxes! (got that idea from a SOL that BASOC ran). They have been so useful over the last year or so ensuring that only one person and the competitor handle the map. Bill was ably assisted by Elisabeth Stevenson who says she really enjoyed having a role to play.
Alan Partridge excelled himself and worked his socks off in the week prior to the event, dealing with all the entries and preparing the start list. He was supposed to be on holiday with his family but kept sneaking away to the computer! He came back a day early in order to print the vast quantity of maps required for SWAT and the event. He also efficiently ran the download and uploaded the results to the website. Many thanks to Andy Dale for maintaining the SI units and ensuring they were in good working order for the event.
Control collecting is an integral part of running an event so many thanks to all the control collectors - Ross Lilley (with a sore back), Dave Bleazard, Leigh Murray and Tom Lines. (Apologies if anyone has been missed.)
Finally, we would like to thank Johnny, the farm manager, who couldn't have been more helpful and welcoming. He made every effort to be accommodating with a spotless, roomy and flat farmyard for parking, gates opened and even jump-started a van that refused to start.
Normally, parking is every organiser's nightmare and with the numbers attending the event this became more of a concern. However, the farmyard absorbed the cars and campers effortlessly with the space allowing for people to enjoy picnics and social distance catch ups outside. The organiser breathed a huge sigh of relief when everybody exited the event safely onto the main A85 road. That was the biggest worry!
A satisfying day - job well done!
Pre Event Info
Start Times: here
Creag Mhic Chailein (Possible meaning -The crag of the son of Colin. Anyone got any other ideas?) is a fantastic area of mainly broadleaved woodland, interspersed with open areas. There are also areas of marsh which will aid navigation. The last event here was early in 2016.
Many thanks to Dave Bleazard for planning this event and we look forward to some fantastic courses. We would also like to thank Lorn Nelson and the estate for permission to use the area.
We extend a warm welcome to SWAT who will be training in the area during the morning and participating in the event in the afternoon.
Location Info
Near: Taynuilt Lat,Lng: 56.44498,-5.33624 OS Grid Ref: NM948333 Postcode: PA37 1PR
Open an interactive map in:
GoogleMap -
Streetmap (OS 50k)
OpenStreetMap -
BingMap (OS 50k)
Directions / Parking
Coming from Taynuilt along A85, take the left turn (W3W norms.flooding.sunroof) after the railway bridge (approximately 4 miles after Taynuilt). Follow the farm road under another railway bridge. Parking will be in the farmyard and as directed.
Please take great care when leaving the event to make the right turn onto the A85 as visibility is very poor and traffic is moving fast. It might be advisable to turn left towards Oban and turn round at Connel. Please advise if you are thinking of bringing a camper van/ motorhome.
Map / Terrain
This area reflects Argyll orienteering at its best! The beautiful old woodland is in great condition currently with a veritable soup of fantastic features to aid navigation...or not:) The bracken, ticks and midges are all currently flourishing owing to the recent humid, warm(ish) weather. Please wear full leg coverings and check thoroughly for ticks after your run.
Registration and Start times
All starts are approximately 200m from the car park. Start times will be from 1pm - 2.30pm with courses closing at 4pm. Unless you are transporting juniors to the training or attending the training in the morning, please do not turn up to the event more than half an hour before your start and please do not turn up at the start more than 10 minutes before you start. The finish is approximately 100m from parking.
Please ensure that you download before leaving the event. Download will be close to the car park. All pre-ordered dibbers will be at download.
Course Information
Courses are as follows:
Yellow 1.4km climb 50m
Orange 1.9km climb 110m
Light Green 3.0km climb 115m
Green 4.1km climb 200m
Blue 6.0km climb 320m
Entry Details
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, 2m social distancing, avoid gathering in groups at download and that you are familiar with British Orienteering's Code of Conduct
NOTE - This event is PRE-ENTRY ONLY
Non-members and orienteers from outwith Argyll may enter this event.
There will be NO entry on the day and no late entries.
ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED
Start times will be issued on Thursday 24th June 2021
HOW TO ENTER: Complete the attached form here with the following information and return it to EckO info@ecko.org.uk
- Names of people entering
- Which course each person is entering
- Include your dibber/ SI number or whether you would like to borrow a dibber.
- BACS transfer - this is ECKO’s much preferred method of payment (if you choose to use this method and you haven't got EckO's bank details we will send you out an email with the bank details but if at all possible please pay as you enter the event.)
- Cash - we will ONLY accept cash if the correct amount is placed in a bag with your name and amount written on the bag and then the bag is placed in a bucket at download. This allows us to quarantine the cash for the required length of time
- Cost - Adult member - £5.00, non-member £6.00. Junior member/non-member (up to 21) - £3.00
- Entries close at midnight on Sunday 20th June, 2021
- Start times will be published Thursday 24th June, 2021
- Each event takes a lot of organisation so help would be very much appreciated. The registration form now has a list of some of the essential jobs. If everybody does a little then nobody has to do a lot. Please tick the appropriate box(es) if you are willing to help/ assist in our future events and you will be rostered in. Many thanks!
Dog restrictions
Well behaved dogs on leads in the car park area only. Please clear up any mess. If at all possible please leave your dog at home.
Facilities
Nearest facilities are Taynuilt, Connel, Benderloch or Oban.
Miscellaneous
Safety: Trip hazard - beware of some old wire fencing
Contacts / Officials
Dave Bleazard: Planner
Jan Kersel: Organiser