SE Middle Distance Champs 2024

COVID-19
There are no longer any formal restrictions around Covid-19. However we encourage you not to attend if you or a member of your household has Covid-19 symptoms.

Please make yourself aware of and abide by the British Orienteering Participant Code of Conduct (revised August 2021).

Car parking is limited
The car parking is at Newlands Corner (nearest post code GU4 8SE). Not in the public car park but through it at the far end in an overflow area. What3words: ///mats.stuff.slides.

Space is limited, please share transport or travel car-less. We ask for car information when you enter - please be accurate.

Please share cars!

Dogs
Dogs allowed under control in the car park and Assembly area but not on the courses please.

Facilities at Assembly
First Aid
There is a cafe and toilets by the Newlands Corner public car park.

SE Championships Eligibility
You can enter any course, but to be eligible for Championship medals you must enter the age class matching your age and sex, or 'run up'. Eligibility also requires that you are a member of British Orienteering and a member of the South East Orienteering Association (SEOA). Medals are awarded to the fastest 3 eligible runners in each Entry Age Class.

Running up
M class competitors can only run up to M class courses.
W class competitors may run up to W or M class courses.
Competitors in age classes from 10 to 18 may run up to an older age class (up to 20-40).
Competitors in age classes from 45 to 80+ may run up to a younger age class (down to 20-40).

When you run up you are not competing in your 'own' age class.

A festive note
This event has some “Festive Special” character. On the one hand, the Controller has stipulated a “No tinsel٭: No go” start rule (for “Elf-and-Safety” reasons, you understand). On the other hand, your SE Middles course should require some serious thought: expect short butterfly loops, closely-spaced controls and rapid changes of direction on a 1:5000 scale map.
٭tinsel or a similar nod to seasonal tradition

Planner's notes
Most of the competition area occupies the northern wooded slope of an East/West ridge. Runnability changes rapidly from white open to varying patches of green, with many mapped vegetation boundaries. One part has extensive bramble: this is largely impenetrable but laced with mapped paths.

A special character of Newlands Corner is the giant elderly yews, possibly the largest concentration in the world. Some are estimated to be up to 1000 years old. But many of them are now not in a good way; the causes are unclear but it’s a good bet that global heating is one. As orienteers we have a particular responsibility, to minimise footfall close to the trees to prevent damage to the roots. Planning of the event has taken this into account.

Results
Medals will be awarded at the event. However full results will not be on display at the event. Final results can be accessed on Guildford Orienteers website after the event.

Medical conditions
Competitors take part at their own risk. If you have an existing Medical Condition of which the Organisers should be aware, please complete a Medical Form which can be downloaded from the British Orienteering website and hand in at Download/Enquiries in a sealed envelope marked with your name and "Confidential Medical Form for GO 22/12/24 event only". This will be opened only if you require medical treatment and are not conscious. It will be destroyed at the end of the event.