A TRAIL CHALLENGE is a mass start cross-country race with a difference. The course is not marked by marshals but is instead defined by checkpoints on a professionally made colour map. The Challenge arises from choosing the fastest route between the checkpoints. The course follows trails and paths in one of the best cross-country running areas that London has to offer.

Location	TBC
Address	TBC
Latitude/longitude	1, 1
OS grid reference	TX340831
Nearest postcode	TR12 7NT (5457675m away)
Maps	Google Maps, Ordnance Survey, OpenStreetMap

Race Entries

Adults £TBC in advance, £TBC on the day; juniors and students half-price. All entries in advance via the online link above. The closing date for the online entries is the Wednesday prior to the race. Entries on the day are accepted, subject to entry limit not being reached.

The entry fee includes a detailed map of the area and hire of an electronic ‘finger’ timer to record your arrival at checkpoints. The electronic ‘finger’ timer will produce instant results at the finish including a break-down of your timing between checkpoints.

Registration

Open from 0930. Trail Challenge entrants – please aim to be ready 10 minutes before your start. Your competition map with the marked checkpoints will be distributed during a race briefing ten minutes before each start.

Start Times

Prizes

For Trail Challenge entrants – normal categories including women, juniors & veterans. In the 6K Trail Challenge only women, juniors and super-veterans are eligible for prizes. The more entries in advance we get, the more wine/beer/chocolates will be given away.

Bags & Changing Facilities

There are changing facilities at the event centre. The centre will also be manned at all times such that bags may be left behind during the event. However please do not bring anything valuable!

Further Enquiries

Please email or contact Dan Findlay-Robinson, phone: 07971552785.

Competitors take part in this race at their own risk. Entries and results will be processed by computer, your entry will be taken as agreement to this.

The Trail Challenges are run under FRA rules.

The last of this year’s Tuesday evening Trail Challenge events will take place in the evening of Tuesday 9 August. Full details of all this year’s trail challenge races. Entries will open soon – you can enter just this race and all the evening races.

Location	Richmond Park
Address	TBC
Latitude/longitude	1, 1
OS grid reference	TX340831
Nearest postcode	TR12 7NT (5457675m away)
Maps	Google Maps, Ordnance Survey, OpenStreetMap

Courses

• 10K Mass Start
• 6K Mass Start

Race Entries

All entries in advance via Fabian 4, our online entries provider. You can enter just this race for, or enter all three evening races at once at a discounted rate.

The entry fee includes detailed map of the area and hire of an electronic timing chip to record your arrival at checkpoints. The electronic timing chip will produce instant results at the finish showing your time between checkpoints.

The closing date for each race is the Friday prior to the race. Entries on the day accepted, subject to entry limit not being reached.

Registration

Open from around 6:15pm on the day. Please aim to be ready 10 minutes before your start. Your competition map with the marked checkpoints will be distributed during a race briefing ten minutes before each start.

Prizes

Normal categories including women & veterans. In the 6km race only women, juniors and super-veterans are eligible for prizes. The more entries in advance we get, the more wine/beer/chocolates will be given away.

Bags & Changing Facilities

The event location will be manned at all times such that bags may be left behind during the event. However please do not bring anything valuable! Please note there are no changing facilities or showers at this venue.

Food

Food and drink available from the pub.

Further Enquiries

Please email .
You can also sign up for notifications by email.

Competitors take part in this race at their own risk. Entries and results will be processed by computer, your entry will be taken as agreement to this. The competition is run under the rules and guidelines of, and sanctioned by, British Orienteering.

The second of this year’s Tuesday evening Trail Challenge events will take place in the evening of Tuesday 19 June. Full details of all this year’s trail challenge races. Entries will open soon – you can enter just this race and all the evening races.

Location	Ham Riverside
Address	TBC
Latitude/longitude	1, 1
OS grid reference	TX340831
Nearest postcode	TR12 7NT (5457675m away)
Maps	Google Maps, Ordnance Survey, OpenStreetMap

Courses

• 10K Mass Start
• 6K Mass Start

Race Entries

All entries in advance via Fabian 4, our online entries provider. You can enter just this race for, or enter all three evening races at once at a discounted rate.

The entry fee includes detailed map of the area and hire of an electronic timing chip to record your arrival at checkpoints. The electronic timing chip will produce instant results at the finish showing your time between checkpoints.

The closing date for each race is the Friday prior to the race. Entries on the day accepted, subject to entry limit not being reached.

Registration

Open from around 6:15pm on the day. Please aim to be ready 10 minutes before your start. Your competition map with the marked checkpoints will be distributed during a race briefing ten minutes before each start.

Prizes

Normal categories including women & veterans. In the 6km race only women, juniors and super-veterans are eligible for prizes. The more entries in advance we get, the more wine/beer/chocolates will be given away.

Bags & Changing Facilities

On all 3 days, there are changing facilities at the event location. The event location will be manned at all times such that bags may be left behind during the event. However please do not bring anything valuable!

Food

On all 3 days, it will be possible to buy food and drink after the event either at the event itself or at a pub next door.

Further Enquiries

Please email .
You can also sign up for notifications by email.

Competitors take part in this race at their own risk. Entries and results will be processed by computer, your entry will be taken as agreement to this. The competition is run under the rules and guidelines of, and sanctioned by, British Orienteering.

Above: The start of the first evening Trail Challenge in 2011 – in Bushy Park. Photo: Chris Robinson.

The first of this year’s Tuesday evening Trail Challenge events will take place in the evening of Tuesday 15 May. Full details of all this year’s trail challenge races. Entries will open soon – you can enter just this race or all the evening races.

Location	Bushy Park
Address	Hampton Wick Royal Cricket Club (Car park accessed from Park Road)
Latitude/longitude	51.4119, -0.3173
OS grid reference	TQ171694
Nearest postcode	KT1 4AZ (14m away)
Maps	Google Maps, Ordnance Survey, OpenStreetMap

Courses

• 10K Mass Start
• 6K Mass Start

Race Entries

All entries in advance via Fabian 4, our online entries provider. You can enter just the Bushy Park race, or enter all three evening races at once at a discounted rate.

The entry fee includes detailed map of the area and hire of an electronic timing chip to record your arrival at checkpoints. The electronic timing chip will produce instant results at the finish showing your time between checkpoints.

The closing date for each race is the Friday prior to the race. Entries on the day accepted, subject to entry limit not being reached.

Registration

Open from around 6:15pm on the day. Please aim to be ready 10 minutes before your start. Your competition map with the marked checkpoints will be distributed during a race briefing ten minutes before each start.

Prizes

Normal categories including women & veterans. In the 6km race only women, juniors and super-veterans are eligible for prizes. The more entries in advance we get, the more wine/beer/chocolates will be given away.

Bags & Changing Facilities

On all 3 days, there are changing facilities at the event location. The event location will be manned at all times such that bags may be left behind during the event. However please do not bring anything valuable!

Food

On all 3 days, it will be possible to buy food and drink after the event either at the event itself or at a pub next door.

Further Enquiries

Please email .
You can also sign up for notifications by email.

Competitors take part in this race at their own risk. Entries and results will be processed by computer, your entry will be taken as agreement to this. The competition is run under the rules and guidelines of, and sanctioned by, British Orienteering.

This event is on Facebook. Say you are coming here!

Like all our Street-Os, this a public race – all are welcome. Please RSVP to the event via Facebook (link above) to let us know you are coming – you can also see who else is coming here and post queries. If you are not on Facebook, please let the organiser know you are coming, at at so that the correct number of maps are printed.

Registration, Start and Finish Location

Location	Crouch End
Address	The Stapleton Tavern, 2-4 Crouch Hill
Latitude/longitude	51.5708, -0.1153
OS grid reference	TQ307874
Nearest postcode	N4 4HR (38m away)
Maps	Google Maps, Ordnance Survey, OpenStreetMap

Registration

In the Stapleton Tavern, an area is booked in the side room to the right of the bar. Nearest tube/railway station is Finsbury Park (Victoria/Piccadilly lines, trains from King’s Cross and Moorgate) which is a 10 minute walk away from the pub. The nearest Overground station is Crouch Hill which is a few minutes walk away from the pub. The pub is also serviced by a number of bus routes.

Entry Fee

£1 for SLOW members, students and juniors, £2 for others.

Timings

Race Format

Normal Street-O format with clues located at each control site. You have 60 minutes to visit as many controls as possible, in any order, and return to the finish. SI will be used to time the start and finish, please bring your SI card if you have one. Don’t forget to bring a pen to write down your answers to the clues as you go around, and a watch. A headtorch may also be useful. General information about street orienteering.

Safety

Fluorescent clothing is recommended for safety. All competitors take part at their own risk. You MUST be over 16 to take part in this event, unless you are accompanied by a parent or guardian. This is a condition of our insurance.

Post-Race

The pub serves food until 2200 and you can see a copy of their menu here.

Results

Results will be available on the SLOW website shortly after the event.

Officials

Organiser: Dan Findlay-Robinson
Planner: Jayne Sales

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This event is on Facebook. Say you are coming here!

Like all our Street-Os, this a public race – all are welcome. Please RSVP to the event via Facebook (link above) to let us know you are coming – you can also see who else is coming here and post queries. If you are not on Facebook, please let the organiser know you are coming, at at so that the correct number of maps are printed.

Registration, Start and Finish Location

Location	Brockley
Address	The Brockley Barge, 184 Brockley Road
Latitude/longitude	51.4644, -0.0365
OS grid reference	TQ365758
Nearest postcode	SE4 2RW (34m away)
Maps	Google Maps, Ordnance Survey, OpenStreetMap

Registration

The Brockley Barge. We will have an area at the rear of the bar reserved for registration and bag storage during the race. The pub is only 150m from Brockley station. Brockley Station is on the London Overground network and is well served by regular trains from London Bridge. Buses number 171, 172 and 484 stop outside the pub. There are bicycle racks outside the station. There is onstreet parking in the area.

Entry Fee

£1 for SLOW members, students and juniors, £2 for others.

Timings

Race Format

Normal Street-O format with clues located at each control site. You have 60 minutes to visit as many controls as possible, in any order, and return to the finish. SI will be used to time the start and finish, please bring your SI card if you have one. Don’t forget to bring a pen to write down your answers to the clues as you go around, and a watch. All controls have been located under normal street light but as always a head torch may be useful in picking up detail and on certain route choices which may not be so well lit. General information about street orienteering.

Safety

Fluorescent clothing is recommended for safety. All competitors take part at their own risk. You MUST be over 16 to take part in this event, unless you are accompanied by a parent or guardian. This is a condition of our insurance.

Post-Race

Tuesday is Wetherspoon’s Steak Club, so excellent value on steaks and drinks and also on Wetherspoon’s regular menu. Last orders for food are at 2200.

Results

Results will be available on the SLOW website shortly after the event.

Officials

Organiser/Planner: Eoin O’Callaghan

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Organiser’s Report

It’s always good to see new faces come though to win, but especially when the face belongs to a “junior”, which means under 21 in these terms. Joe Morwood became the youngest ever winner of the race, and by breaking into the all-time fastest times becomes only the tenth person to break the 50 minute barrier. He managed this despite being totally unfamiliar with the course, which was something that gave the chasing Harold Wyber some hope all the way round. Harold was 12th last year and had very much his best run over the race. Third place went to another “junior”, Alan Cherry from Oxford University Orienteering Club, followed by his team mate, Ben Stevens. It was a pity that one of their entrants couldn’t make it as they may well have taken the team prize.

Fifth was 39 year old John Smallwood and he told me he would be aiming for the veteran prize next year. First veteran for the second time was the legend that is Chris Beecham, eleven time winner of the race. Chris was a minute behind John this year, but a minute ahead of him last year, so next year’s battle could be interesting. Less than a minute behind Chris was the first super-vet, Chris Phelan – that must be the best “age-adjusted” run of anyone. Geoff Newton again took the over-60s prize, perhaps for more times than he cares to remember. 81 year old Peter White was our only starter over 70 and he finished in 251st equal place.

Although youngsters dominated the men’s results, in contrast veterans’ swept the board for the ladies. Rachel Bennett just pipped Victoria Basquill after a race-long duel, with Rebecca Black in third. Between them they reminded me that forty-somethings look younger every year.

First under-40 was Iona Craft just ahead of SLOW’s Abi Weeds. Katherine Harvey was first super-vet and Claire Hall the first (and only) over-60.

The team result proved to be very close and Springfield Striders regained the title despite a higher score than they achieved in fifth place last year. They achieved this despite their fourth and last scorer finishing in 83rd place. Another multiple winner from previous years, Tring, were close behind, and then Dorking and Mole Valley. Tring were the best represented club with 23 finishers. We fail to give a ladies’ team prize for the simple reason that it’s too difficult to work out at the time. This year three clubs had at least three female finishers, with Serpentine being well ahead of Dulwich and then Tring.

TEAM RESULTS

1 Springfield Striders	122	9  Cambridge Harriers	362
2 Tring R C		130	10 The Stragglers	367
3 Reigate Priory	135	11 Bishops Stortford RC 419
4 Serpentine RC 	199	12 Cambridge Harriers	467
5 Tadworth AC		233	13 Dorking & Mole Vall.	493
6 Guildford & Godalming	259	14 SLOW			530
7 Rowena’s Runners	332	15 Portsmouth Joggers	751
8 Dulwich Runners	361

We again filled the entries in good time, putting up the “race full” signs 2 weeks beforehand. We accepted more than the 250 limit, knowing that there would be several no-shows. With 252 finishers we seemed to have that about right. We are quite happy with the race being pre-entry only as that saves a lot of volunteer time on race day.

Thanks go again to all the usual suspects. Neil Edeson and the staff at Friends Provident for use of the car park and social club. And of course the many helpers from SLOW – Dan (entries), Mike M, Martin, Richard, Mike G, Peter, Chris, Angus, Elaine, Linda and Nigel. Missing from that list is the late, great Dick Clark, who did entries and results for more years than I can remember. Sadly he lost his battle to cancer last October. He was sorely missed.

Keep an eye out for SLOW’s races in the summer. The Surrey Hills Races are just the other side of Dorking on Sunday May 27th. Although the courses are not flagged they are the same each year and so the navigational burden is eased. Also we will be providing guided course recces with the likely date being April 28th – keep an eye on the website. Slightly trickier are the Summer Trail Challenge races – a series of three 10km races, where the course to be navigated is revealed just before the start and you only have a few minutes to study it and discuss it with your mates. These are on summer evenings in the Kingston/Richmond area. We hope to see you at some of these.

Report by Andy Robinson. Photographs by Angus Lund.

The area is a fast and fairly run-able semi-open plateau contrasting with re-entrants featuring a variety of woodlands to provide a surprisingly challenging mix. Seven courses available. This event uses electronic timing (SportIdent).

This event is on Facebook. Say you are coming here!

Location

Parking at Car Park 3 of The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), Somerset Road, Wimbledon, SW19 5HS. The event will be signed from A219 and the junction with Somerset Road. There is no parking charge. Please do not arrive before 0830 or park on nearby residential roads. Car keys may be left at registration/download while competitors are running. Nearest tube station: Southfields, on the District line (20 min walk). Nearest mainline station: Wimbledon (30 min walk).

Location	Wimbledon Common
Address	The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Somerset Road
Latitude/longitude	51.4329, -0.2153
OS grid reference	TQ242719
Nearest postcode	SW19 5HR (143m away)
Maps	Google Maps, Ordnance Survey, OpenStreetMap

Courses

All courses will use SportIdent (SI) electronic punching. Course lengths and distances are subject to final controlling.

A string course will be provided (free). It will be located next to the finish. SI dibbers will be provided.
A small, edible prize will be provided to every competitor.

Registration & Fees

Entry on the day (EOD) only, in the car park. Seniors: £5 for British Orienteering Members (National or SEOA-Local), £7 for others. Juniors: £2. SportIdent card hire: £1. Cash only.

Start

A 1.0km taped walk from car park uphill on tarmac pavements (pushchair friendly). The start will be a punching start with a maximum of one competitor per course starting each minute. Clear and check boxes will be provided at the start (rather than in the car park).

Map

Scale: 1:10,000. Contour Interval: 5m. Updated: Sprint 2012. Printed on waterproof paper. The map size is A3 for all courses. Control descriptions will be printed on the front of all maps with loose control descriptions also available for all courses in start lanes. All courses will have pictorial IOF control descriptions apart from the white and yellow courses which will have written control descriptions. Maps for the white and yellow courses will be available at registration – with a few spares being available at the start in case any white/yellow course competitors make it to the start without their map!

Terrain

Wimbledon Common consists of a fast and fairly runable semi-open plateau in the eastern part of the area contrasting with a variety of gently sloping woodlands featuring many re-entrants in the western part of the area, together providing a surprisingly challenging mix to competitors. A brown X on the map has been used to represent a root stock. This is represented by a cross inside a circle on all pictorial control descriptions (standard IOF symbol).

During your Race

Please be aware this is an area used heavily by the public (often with children, dogs or horses in tow). Please respect all other users of the common. There is a golf course on Wimbledon Common. This is out-of-bounds to all competitors – apart from where there are marked paths crossing the fairways – and is marked as OOB on all maps. All courses have been planned to avoid the golf course but should you find yourself unexpectedly on a fairway please beware of flying golf balls. For info, all golfers wear red jumpers when playing on this course.

Finish

100m from start.

Download

At registration in the car park. Courses close at 14:30. ALL competitors MUST report to download even if they fail to complete their course.

Facilities

Port-a-loo toilets will be provided in the car park. There are no toilets at the start. A clothing dump will be provided next to the finish, which is passed on the way to the start. Please provide your own plastic bag. Please note there will be no traders at the event. Free water and squash will be provided next to download (not at the finish).

First Aid

First aid kits will be provided at registration/download in the car park and at the finish. The nearest large hospital with an A&E is St. George’s Hospital: Blackshaw Road, Tooting, SW17 0QT. The nearest hospital with a minor injuries unit (but no A&E) is Queen Mary’s Hospital: Roehampton Lane, SW15 5PN.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed on Wimbledon Common but please ensure they are kept under control at all times; the common is used heavily on the weekend by families (often with small children), dog walkers and horse riders.

Adverse Weather

In the event of very bad weather please check the SLOW website for confirmation that the event will still take place.

Flyer

Download a printable flyer (PDF)
Download the final details (PDF)

Officials

• Organiser: Ruth King (SLOW)
• Planner: Nicola Morris (SLOW)
• Controller: Andy Robinson (SLOW)

Further Enquiries

Please contact Ruth King on 07795 411219 if you have any queries

Competitors take part in this race at their own risk. Entries and results will be processed by computer, your entry will be taken as agreement to this.

SLOW results for MVOC Holmbush and Buchan Country Park

Black
1. Matthias Mahr
2. Ed Catmur
3. James Lyne
4. Oliver O’Brien
6. Helen Gardner
7. Paul Nixon
8. Phil Marsland
15. Peter Huzan
17. Edward Stott
20. Eoin O’Callaghan
22. Richard Jones
23. Ben Lovett

Brown
1. Paul Couldridge
15. Vince Roper
17. Gavin Hurley
21. Ian Griffiths

Short Brown
6. Abi Weeds
21. Mike Garvin
23. Peter Foulkes
29. Hugh Hurley
MP. Carys Morgan
MP. Jo Reeve

Blue
1. Jevgenijs Petrovs
7. Charlie Turner
10. Charlotte Turner
19. Libby Schofield
32. Dorte Torpe Hansen
69. Nigel Saker
MP. Terry Marsh

Short Blue
4. Mike Murray

Green
21. Teresa Turner

Organge
3. Kit Foulkes

SLOW Street-Os are now using SI timing, to allow for accurate recording of start and finishing times. Competitors without their own SI cards are loaned one for the race free-of-charge.

Photo by Ewan-M.