KNC 8: Mote Park

Location

Nearest town: Maidstone

• Grid Ref: TQ783551
• Postcode: ME15 8JW
• Latitude: 51.26860
• Longitude: 0.55901
• Google Map
• Streetmap (OS 50k)
• Bing Map (OS 50k)
• OpenStreetMap

Directions / Parking

Parking will be in the Burning Ground Car Park in the NE quadrant of the area at ME15 8JW. Entry is off Willington Street; turn west into the Park and Ride entrance and then immediately right into the road leading to the car park. Parking charge £2. What 3 Words: ///ticket.talent.expand  

Nearest railway station: Maidstone East or Bearsted 1.5km.

Observing British Orienteering and Government guidelines:-

Please be respectful of other people’s wishes to observe social distancing from the time you arrive at the event until you leave.

To minimise the time for interaction with others please arrive in your orienteering gear and depart still wearing it.

Registration & Start Times

Registration: Pre-entry only via http://www.racesignup.co.uk by midnight Wed 10th November (day before event) or when 45 entries have been received.

This will require details for safety purposes and a declaration about Covid-19.

No Registration on the night.

The Start will be near the South West corner of the car park

Start period 7.30pm – 7.45pm.

Please read the Start briefing displayed (event safety & event details)

Punching start (consider social distancing)

Course Information

60 minute score suitable for all abilities. Some controls will be ‘easy’ on big features fairly easy to find (for night time), some will be further into the woodland and harder. Nowhere is really hard at Mote Park as you are never far from a big path, road or lake.

The course is split into two series of controls, 90-99 & 100-109, to give the faster orienteers a further run (optimum route to find all 20, 9km straight line distance).

Start with one of the two series. Do as many controls as you wish within the series, then (if you have time) switch to the other series. Then no changing back.

No changeover control.

10 points per control, 10 points penalty per minute/part minute beyond 60 minutes. Max score 200 points. Controls will be collected from 8:55pm (course closing time).

1:10,000 scale map with 5m contours. Maps will be printed on A4 waterproof paper.

When you visit the controls, record your visit using electronic punching (‘SIAC’ technology). If you haven’t got a dibber (electronic timing device) for electronic punching one can be loaned to you. Just request one when you enter online.

Separate/loose control descriptions will not be provided, these will be on the map.

After your run please download as normal, considering social distancing. Timing printouts will be provided and the results will be available on the website.

If you are able to help collect controls in afterwards, please do volunteer.

Explanation of Score courses

You don't have to visit all the controls! There is usually a time limit, instead of a set course. Points are scored for visiting controls, and deducted for finishing over the time limit. You decide which controls to visit, and in which sequence. Sometimes controls have different points values. You will need to carry a watch or phone, so you know how long you have been out.

Entry Details

Pre-entry only via http://www.racesignup.co.uk 

Seniors (British Orienteering members) £5, Non-members of BO £7.         

Juniors & students £3 (BO or non-BO).

Group: £10 (1 dibber; map for each participant) (BO or non-BO).   

Dibber loan (this will be an old style, slightly slower non SIAC dibber): Free.

Some sort of torch essential plus a small backup/reserve. Carrying a whistle is mandatory (as a casualty, blow six short blasts, wait 1 min, repeat). A cagoule may be required in inclement weather. You will need to look after your car keys yourself (eg carry in zipped pocket or waist strap).

An Emergency contact number will be printed on the map. Carrying a mobile phone is strongly recommended. You can let us know if you are lost or late, and we can contact you if you have not returned.

Terrain Description

Large 440 acre park. A mixture of open parkland, woodland and semi open land, plus a large lake. A good challenge for the experienced orienteer, and an ideal venue for a first (non-street) night event as there are plenty of obvious features to relocate on.

Facilities

The nearest toilets are at Grove Green Tesco ME14 5TQ.

Apres-O & prizegiving: not on this occasion.

Contacts / Officials

Planner & Organiser: Sean Cronin publicity"at"saxons-oc.org