Our traditional “Long O” event on the Long Mynd in memory of John Bennison.
Please remember that the Long Mynd is tough upland terrain and come prepared for whatever the weather may bring. It is as unforgiving in the hot conditions we have experienced in recent years as it is in the cold, wind or wet. This event is not suitable for beginners.
Venue: Cardingmill Valley, upper car park. Thanks to National Trust Long Mynd staff.
Travel:
Grid ref: SO440948
What3Words:sheepish.glass.inversion
From Church Stretton, follow signs to Cardingmill Valley (National Trust).
Public transport options available include rail from Shrewsbury/north or Ludlow/Hereford/Cardiff to Church Stretton railway station. Bus 435 from Shrewsbury and Ludlow. If driving, please car share where possible. Parking is in National Trust Cardingmill valley (£5.50 fee for non-members of NT, can get busy at weekends) or public car parks in Church Stretton.
Assembly: Once parked in car park, make your way on foot to the head of the valley past the toilets and cafe. If the weather is poor we will provide a clothing dump at this point.
The start and finish almost adjoin each other. Bring your own marked bags if leaving clothing.
Maps:
Courses 1-3, 1:15000, updated 2022 by Pete Jones.
Course 4, 1:5000 by Rod Postlethwaite.
Both with 5m contours and on waterproof paper.
The vegetation on the Mynd is constantly in flux; it is not possible to map it all, especially the bracken cuts.
Terrain: Exposed open moorland, rising to 516m. Run-ability is generally good with an extensive path network and rides. The vegetation is a mixture of grass, heather, bracken and gorse. All steep slopes have scattered crags and some scree. Both bracken, heather and gorse reduce run-ability. Human activity makes some paths less obvious and recent bracken cutting makes the terrain faster than shown, or it might not. The ponds on the map may have run dry. Please avoid any wet marsh areas; the courses have been planned to avoid these.
Courses: Juniors under 16 can only run course 4 unless accompanied by an adult. Courses are subject to final controlling.
Distances will be longer than shown as you won’t go in a straight line.
Course 1 – Long 11.1km Approx 550m of climb
Course 2 – Medium Long – 7.5km Approx 400m of climb
Course 3 – Medium – 4.8km Approx 320m of climb
Course 4 – Short – 2km. Approx 80m of climb
Entries: Enter online at Fabian4 – entries are open until Sunday 15 September.
Course 1-3 Adults (18+) £8 BOF members, £9 non BOF members. Under 18s £4, Course 4 – Adults (18+) £3, Under 18’s £2. Dibbers available to hire £1. Lost dibbers will be charged at £40.
Very limited entry on the day (cash only) until maps run out.
Starts: For courses 1-3 from 10:30 to 11:30. For course 4 10.30-1pm.
All courses close at 3pm – you must have returned by then, otherwise we may begin a search for you.
Sportident: Electronic punching will be used. Dibbers available to hire £1. Lost dibbers will be charged at £40. Note that contactless (SIAC) punching will not be enabled.
Facilities: Toilets available at National Trust Pavilion/Cafe in Carding Mill Valley.
Safety:
• Competitors take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety.
• Please be considerate and give way to members of the public.
• All sloping ground is very slippery- wear your best gripping shoes.
• Courses 1 and 2 may cross a minor road. There are no compulsory crossing points so it is your responsibility to avoid traffic including cars, cyclists and horses.
• Whistles must be carried.
• It is advisable to carry fluid/electrolyte and food.
• As this is sheep country please check for ticks after your run
• In wet weather all competitors must wear or carry a waterproof Cagoule. Checks will take place at the start. In case of dry weather cagoules may not be compulsory.
• Please remember to download after your run, or a search will take place for you.
• Shorts are permitted.
Dogs: Dogs allowed but must be kept under control and leave no trace of their presence.
Organisers: Weaver family
Planner: Andrew Weaver (WRE) ajweaver1@hotmail.com
Controller: TBC
In the event of extreme weather please check the Wrekin Orienteers website or Facebook page to check the event is still happening. It would have to be quite extreme.
Medical information
If you wish any medical information to be available to a practitioner in the event of an emergency, please fill in the British Orienteering medical information form, place it in a sealed envelope with your name on it, and deposit it at Enquiries. It will not be opened unless we have reason to believe you may have suffered a medical emergency and will be shredded after the event if you don’t collect it.
Results will be posted here
