The first event of the new season for Tayside Orienteers was held on Sunday, 10th February at North Muirton. More than 30 competitors turned up, with a good proportion from outside Perth, despite the cold and windy conditions. The urban navigation proved challenging for everyone but some impressive times were achieved. Local knowledge of the area was of limited use as lampposts and other features with a reference number were used as control points. Many residents must have been puzzled by the arrival of so many people who inspected their lampposts and then ran off at great speed! This format was judged to have been a successful one.
Alex MacLachlan was a worthy winner on the Long course, Gillian Martin won the Medium course and Robert Jenkins, a talented junior, won the Short course. We were particularly pleased to see family groups who tried out Orienteering for the first time and declared themselves to have had a very enjoyable experience. The event concluded just as the heavy rain set in.
John Lewis, organiser/planner
Last updated: 12 Feb, 1600 to correct Long Course results.
2.0km, 10 controls
| Position | Name | Club | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert Jenkins | TAY | 15.53 |
| 2 | Craig Sloan | TAY | 24.15 |
| 3 | Goddard family | TAY | 26.34 |
| 4 | Scott family | IND | 40.46 |
| 5 | Mee family 1 | IND | 45.41 |
| 1 wrong answer | Mee family 2 | IND | 45.55 |
3.5km, 21 controls
| Position | Name | Club | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gillian Martin | ESOC | 29.33 |
| 2 | Dave Prentice | TAY | 33.56 |
| 3 | Mike Pearson | GRAMP | 36.57 |
| 4 | Ian Hendrie | FVO | 38.05 |
| 5 | Les Dalgleish | ESOC | 46.45 |
| 6 | Fiona Findlay | ESOC | 47.24 |
| 7 | Liz Fraser | TAY | 53.14 |
| 8 | Jenny Gillies | TAY | 98.08 |
| N/C | Helena Nolan | ESOC | 24.30 |
| 1 wrong answer | Peter Nugent | IND | 60.09 |
| 1 wrong answer | Margaret Cardno | IND | 60.12 |
| No wrong answers | Katharine Melville | TAY | No time |
5.0km, 23 controls
| Position | Name | Club | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex MacLachlan | GRAMP | 27.39 |
| 2 | David Sloan | TAY | 31.35 |
| 3 | Davie Frame | TAY | 33.58 |
| 4 | James Martin | ESOC | 35.43 |
| 5 | Brian Smith | KFO | 45.21 |
| 6 | Fiona Hendrie | FVO | 45.27 |
| 7 | Margaret Dalgleish | ESOC | 45.34 |
| 8 | Robert Findlay | ESOC | 54.56 |
| 9 | Robert Thornton | TAY | 67.16 |
| N/C | Craig Nolan | ESOC | 24.25 |
| 1 wrong answer | Pat Squire | INT | 43.37 |
| 1 wrong answer | Elaine Gillies | TAY | 45.40 |
| 2 wrong answers | Bill Melville | TAY | 56.44 |
Our first event of 2013 is a technical challenge in a complex urban area of Perth, previously used for the Scottish Sprint Championships.
This will be in an urban and parkland setting alongside the River Tay, presenting the opportunity for practising areas of expertise not normally used in woodlands. The event is designed so that orienteers who are neither sprinters nor considered as champions (except by their families!) can gain valuable skills and enjoy an unusual event at a level which is right for them. The area is very challenging for those who wish to run as fast as possible but approached using accurate and careful navigation, this is an excellent area for all levels of competitor.
This will be at the public parking area just off Bute Drive near to Riverside Church and Jeanfield Swifts football ground. Follow the signs to Perth Grammar School initially, and then Riverside Church off the Dunkeld Road leading north out of Perth. Grid reference NO 109256, Postcode - PH13DJ.
There are plenty of parking spaces available in the public areas near to registration. Please do not park in the Riverside Church car park as this is not available to us at this time.
This is an "Entry on the day" event. Registration will be open from 10.30, wth first start as soon as possible afterwards, and registration will close just after 1200, depending on demand.
Three courses will be available:
The Short course does not cross any road and is very suitable for juniors and novices, being mostly Yellow standard with a couple of more difficult controls just going into the estate. The novel use of control features also aims to introduce a level of enjoyment for all.
SportIdent electronic punching will be used, but only for recording start and finish times. Controls will be lampposts and other street features which display a reference number. Competitors will have a sheet where each control will have 3 possible answers, the correct one must be circled. A check will be made at the finish that all controls have actually been visited.
Please bring a pen or pencil!
Competitors are reminded that, as this is an event where road crossings are inevitably involved, GREAT CARE MUST BE TAKEN AT ALL TIMES.
If paths are slippery with ice, then the choice of footwear must be appropriate. Dogs are walked in the area so the usual hazards may be expected.
Front gardens are unfenced so please respect residents' property and act as you would expect others to do near your own home.
Toilets and refreshments are fairly close, at Asda and McDonalds on Dunkeld Road.
Planner/Organiser: John Lewis - contact 07773 693609