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2021 Junior 6 week Challenge Activities
Maroc juniors have been set a series of indoor and outdoor activities to do during the January and February 2021 lockdown. These are available here.
Christmas Score Caper – Glen O’Dee, 20th December 2020
On the last Sunday before Christmas we are putting on a members-only score event type training session at Glen O Dee, Banchory. This will be a fun festive-themed caper aimed at our younger members and anyone else with good short-term memory! How many controls can you visit within a set time? And how many of these controls can you remember when you get back to base??! Bonus points will be awarded for fancy dress and for festive jokes that make the coaches laugh. We will meet at Burnett Park pavilion at 10.30 and walk together to the start, returning around 12pm. Maps will be provided and dibbers not required. Parking available by the tennis courts. Cost £3 adults and £1.50 children by donation to Maroc account. Any questions contact the organiser – .
We are limited to 30 participants so sign up here early to avoid disappointment.
Local event at Creag Choinnich, Braemar
Our next local event during daylight hours is on Sunday 8th November at Creag Choinnich, Braemar.
Due to Covid restrictions, the event is only open to Maroc, Gramp and AUOC members and there will be no entry on the day.
Entries are now open using this link and close on Sunday 1st November.
Bellwood Orienteering courses - 27th July to 9th August 2020
Start and Finish at shelter in Bellwood (GR NO 542 986) , parking at Bellwood carpark, on Aboyne side (GR: NO 538 987, Post Code: AB34 5GH)
Maps now available - click on the link for your colour course below.
Temp. course 1. Yellow/Orange standard; 3.4 km, 40m climb
Temp. course 2. Green/Blue standard; 5.3 km, 70m climb
The Yellow/Orange course follows paths and line features. Some paths are narrow and not suitable for buggies. Please do not run through the bike park. This is marked 'out of bounds'.
The Green/Blue course is technically and physically challenging due to rough ground and vegetation.
Planners: Jonas and Yann Newey
Don't forget to put the map in a plastic wallet or use waterproof paper.
There will be no control kites or timing equipment but the control locations, including start and finish will be marked by clear red and white tape.
Participants must ensure social distancing is maintained at all times, in line with current Government guidance. This is an individual activity so participants take part at their own risk. It is not covered by any orienteering insurance policy.
Don't forget to record your GPS route on Strava.com
Potarch Orienteering courses - 13th to 26th July 2020
Start and Finish on Potarch Green (GR: NO 607972, Post Code: AB31 4BE)
Maps now available - click on the link for your colour course below.
Temp. course 1. Yellow/Orange standard; 3.4 km, 90m climb
Temp. course 2. Green/Blue standard; 5.6 km, 135m climb
The Yellow/Orange course follows paths and line features. Not suitable for buggies as the ground is rough in places.
The Green/Blue course is technically and physically challenging due to rough ground and vegetation.
Planner: Nick Hale
Maps will be available for download from this page on Sunday 12th July. Don't forget to put the map in a plastic wallet or use waterproof paper.
There will be no control kites or timing equipment but the control locations, including start and finish will be marked by clear red and white tape.
Participants must ensure social distancing is maintained at all times, in line with current Government guidance. This is an individual activity so participants take part at their own risk. It is not covered by any orienteering insurance policy.
Don't forget to record your GPS route on Strava.com
Further courses in a new area will be available Monday 27th July.
Please support the Potarch Inn by the Green. They are open for pre-ordered takeaway food on Fridays and for coffee and snacks from 11am to 3pm Saturdays and Sundays.
Deeside Temporary Orienteering Courses - from 13th July
Starting with Potarch from Monday 13th July, there will be a new Deeside forest map every two weeks with Temporary Courses to run as you wish; socially distanced in your own time.
There will be no control kites or timing equipment but the control locations, including start and finish will be marked by clear red and white tape.
This is the first tentative step back into the forest. The SOA is working very hard with SportScotland on our behalf to define the criteria to be met for our second step which will be the resumption of Local Events. It comes at the time of the year when we don’t traditionally have events due to the holidays and the high ground vegetation, so it may be September before this happens. In the meantime, enjoy our temporary courses.
Talking of high vegetation, now is the season when ticks are most active in our forests, always with the threat of Lyme Disease. If you are out running, at Potarch for example, always take care to have full leg cover (no gaps!) and check for ticks when you finish.
Separate articles will be published for each temporary course, with more detail and a link for download of course maps.
River Dee Radio Orienteering Podcasts
Whilst we are all in lockdown, an ideal time to listen to a collection of recent broadcasts from River Dee radio featuring MAROC orienteering:
March 2020: That Friday Feeling talks to Sarah Dunn, MAROC coaching coordinator and Regional Development Officer
March 2020: Night Orienteering Special - Paul visits Burn o' Vat with MAROC coach John Musgrave
September 2019: Orienteering at Glen Feardar
December 2019: Local Sports Personality Jon Musgrave
Jon Duncan Junior Deeside Cup - Standings after 3 events
Here are the JD2C standings after the event at Birsemore on 8th March.
As I'm sure everyone is aware, this will be the last update for some time. The next counting event will be advised when orienteering resumes following all relevant guidelines from BOF and UK government.
Coronavirus and Orienteering
We are all aware of the ongoing coronavirus situation. I am reproducing here the recent communication from British Orienteering - we have been requested to cancel all events for the next 12 weeks and the events at Tillyfourie, Redburn and Sluie have now been removed from the events list.
Full statement below.
Junior Colour and Participation Badges
Latest updates to the junior colour and participation badges.
An explanation for those new to the club: juniors will automatically gain credit for participation (badges awarded for 5, 10, 25 ,50 & 100 events) and for running colour courses within various criteria (iron, bronze, silver and gold badges can be earned). Badges earned during the year are normally awarded at the club AGM in November.
If you think that your junior has run events for which they have not been credited, let Pat know (publicity - see contacts page).