Birsemore

Sun 08th Mar 2020

Type of event: Regional Race
Type of terrain: Forest
Info updated: 08th Mar

Results

• Birsemore simple results
• Birsemore splits
• Routegadget

Regional event and part of the UK Elite Orienteering League (UKEOL long race).

Final details in PDF format now available here.

 

Entries on Fabian 4 now closed - limited entry on the day subject to map availability.

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Location

Nearest town: Aboyne

• Grid Ref: 523 970
• Postcode: AB34 5EJ
• Lat/Lon: 57.06706,-2.78323
• Google Map
• Streetmap (OS)
• Bing Map (OS)
• OpenStreetMap

Pre Event Info

The event centre including registration, toilets, and (hopefully) refreshments will be in the Old Kirk, Charlestown Rd, Aboyne

Grid Ref 528 984, Post Code AB34 5EJ

There is a 2.1k 40m walk to start almost all on pavement or hard track.  This involves crossing the South Deeside road. Please cross carefully as instructed by the marshal. The final 200m in forest will be taped.

A tent en route and within 250m of the Start/Finish will be provided for clothing dump.

Cagoules and whistles may be compulsory depending on weather conditions.  Be aware of other forest users. The area is popular with dog walkers, and mountain bikers. Minor Injury Clinic at Aboyne Hospital.

Birsemore Hill rises to 333 metres, and includes some intricate areas on the steep northern slopes with a wealth of contour and rock detail including cliffs and crags.  The majority of the area is covered with runnable plantation and is therefore fairly sheltered. Recent forestry thinning has taken place in the northern area of the map and has left brash on the forest floor, which will affect running speed over the area.  Small unmapped mountain bike trails are present in some areas.

Directions / Parking

Please use public parking in Aboyne. There are car parks in the village centre, Station Square, Business Centre, Victory Hall, and normal street parking.

Important: Please do not attempt to park on Aboyne Bridge, a duathlon is taking place between 11:30 - 13:30, and this (as well as the walk to start) is part of the cycle route. Please park sensibly and take care en route to and from Start/Finish.

Registration & Start Times

Registration: Inside the event centre.

Starts: 11:00 - 12:30

Courses close 15:00.

There will be no allocated start times. Punching start will operate.  Please be patient at the start, and try not to arrive en masse. You will be started asap as numbers allow.

Course Information

A family friendly start position means courses all start on the Aboyne side near the bottom of Birsemore Hill, limiting the distance from Event Centre in the village. Courses may appear modest in distance, but contain considerable climb with many covering a good portion of Birsemore Hill and beyond. Expect a demanding navigational, and physical challenge. 

Forest thinning has affected some areas but is limited to the main Birsemore Hill. Additional unmapped tracks have been created by forest machines that may be muddy, and slow running in certain parts.

Yellow and white course maps to be collected at Registration.

To score in the UK Elite Orienteering League competitors should enter the following courses:

M21/18/20 - Black
W21 - Brown
W20/18 - Blue
 

*Subject to final controlling

Map: 1:10,000 (Deeside Orienteering and Leisure Maps) 2019, with minor updates Feb 2020.

Control Descriptions: Printed on map and available loose at Registration.

Timing will be by EMIT - collect your brikke and backup card at registration.

Explanation of colour courses

• White are very easy with all controls on paths. They are mainly used by 6-10 year olds and family groups.
• Yellow use simple linear features like paths, walls and streams. They are mainly used by under 12’s and family groups.
• Orange progress to basic use of the compass and route choice. They are ideal for novice adults or experienced youngsters.
• Light Green are ideal for improvers as the navigational difficulty begins to increase and uses simple contours and point features.
• Green are used mostly by experienced under 18’s and adults wanting a short but challenging course with a very hard navigational difficulty.
• Blue are a longer, more physically demanding course in comparison to the green. The distances are more varied between controls and the course attracts experienced orienteers.
• Brown & Black are very physically demanding and have a very hard navigational difficulty. They are for experienced orienteers only.
• Score means visiting as many controls as possible in any order in a specific time, like 45mins.

Entry Details

Entry fees are £7.00 for adult running green and above,  £3.50 for junior and adults running Light Green or below.

Online entry is now closed - limited entry on the day subject to map availability.

Entries close 1st March.  There will be limited entry on the day subject to map availability.

Facilities

The event centre including registration, toilets, and (hopefully) refreshments will be in the Old Kirk, Charlestown Rd, Aboyne.  There will be no toilets at Start/Finish.

Grid Ref 528 984, Post Code AB34 5EJ

Soup, coffee and cakes for sale in the event centre.  Remember to bring your own cup!

A tent close to Start/Finish will be provided for clothing dump.

Dogs allowed?

No dogs in the forest

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Drew Tivendale (Maroc)

Controller: Ian Hamilton (Gramp)

Organiser: Andy Tivendale (Maroc)

Safety and Risk

A comprehensive risk assessment will have been carried out by the organiser, but participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event.
Participants in orienteering should be aware of the risk of tick bites - more information here.

SPORTident timing will be used

Please note that a lost hire SI-Card will be charged for at a rate of £30, unless the Club Commitee agrees that there are special circumstances.

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