Organiser's Comments

Just wanted to say thanks to all of yesterday's competitors for attending yesterday on such a hot, challenging day.

Obviously it was a pity we had to push the Start times back to accommodate some later Start times, but at least it gave everyone plenty of time to arrive. Some people did make their way up from the Harvester in Kent arriving just in time at 2pm.

We are particularly grateful to the Bowling Centre for the use of facilities, it was an ideal location all around and our initiative to provide some water at the finish was universally appreciated.

Like all events, there are the unexpected issues and some learning points. Therefore, we are very frustrated we had an unwelcome intervention on the morning from a disenchanted resident, which caused Control 116 to be re-sited and inevitably led to some confusion and the need to void a leg on Courses 3. On course 1 a leg was voided to be fair to competitors that were affected by route choice. We wish to apologise to all impacted and hope it didn't entirely spoil your outing.

Planner's Comments

I thought it best on the day, after receiving the call from the irate resident around 11am, to relocate the control well away from him. We then did our best to update the maps and control descriptions in the start area.

The area I believe is a good one for Urban orienteering and thought we would use the opportunity to have a 2 side map for the longer courses in different areas.

I did receive some positive comments on the courses, I hope that most people enjoyed their run.

For 2026 we plan to run on another area that has not been used for an Urban day event.

Event Information

Please note that the A34 is closed northbound all day on Sunday from the M4 to the Chilton Interchange.

Hot weather warning, please hydrate well and do not over exert yourself

• Set Start times are not being used (starts 12:00 to 14:00), just get your EMIT and go.
• EMIT Touch Free is being used, picked up from the Event Centre.
• Loose control descriptions in the start lanes.
• Be courteous to members of the public that you encounter.
• Bottled water will be available in the event centre.
• We advise you to bring your own water as well.
• Results will be available live on the day at race-results.info (subject to available signal).
• Please support the Bowling Club by buying drinks or food; they have kindly allowed us to use their facility.

Events in Basingstoke 29th June

The car parks we are in will be closed at 16:00 latest.

Milestones Museum is next door to the event centre, showcasing life in Hampshire in the past and vintage vehicles.

Click here for further information

It is Basingstoke Arts festival time with free events to attend.

Click here for further information

There is a National Gardens Scheme garden open not far from the event area at the Mill House.

Click here for further information

Directions

The event centre is the Loddon Vale Indoor Bowling Club, Basingstoke Leisure Park, Euskirchen Way, Basingstoke, RG22 6PG.

Located on the B3400, the road going to Overton from Basingstoke.

Access via M3 Junction 6 (there are Brown Signs directing you to the Leisure Centre) but you can come from the west via M3 Junction 7.

What3Words for entrance: tummy.repair.vest. Note Entrance is on the eastbound carriageway for cars; there is a roundabout nearby to turn around on if coming from the East.

Basingstoke Railway Station is 1.3 miles east of the event centre.

Stagecoach buses 8, 11, and 76 run near the Leisure Centre.

Parking

Parking for cars is in Car Parks 5 and 6 (follow indoor bowling signs) but due to height restriction barriers (2m), high-sided vehicles must park on the west side near the Aquadome/Hollywood Bowl in Car Park 2 and proceed east to the event centre.

Map

Maps are:

• Courses 1-3: 1:5,000 A3 Landscape (double-sided with different areas on each side)
• Courses 4-7: 1:4,000 A3 Landscape

Courses

Beginners are welcome to try the courses, please ask for assistance when you arrive. The courses rank from easy to hard, just bring a compass (one can be lent if you do not have one) and give it a go. No problem if you want to go round with other people.

Start/Finish

Start is 800m from assembly, Finish is 300m from assembly, both through underpasses to and from the competition area.

EMIT contactless eCards will be used on all courses. All participants must report to Download.

Registration and Starts

11:45 to 13:45 for Hired eCard collection and Enquiries. EOD subject to map availability.

Starts

Starts: 12:00 - 14:00.

No set start times just go the start when ready.

Loose control descriptions will be available in the start lanes.

Results

Live results available at race-results.info.

Final results and Routegadget will available on/from the BADO website.

Facilities

We are thankful for the Loddon Vale Indoor Bowling Club for welcoming us to use their facility where there are toilets and refreshments. To show our thanks we encourage people to buy drinks or food in the club.

Please be courteous to other users and keep the noise down if there are bowlers using the facility.

Conduct

Please make yourself aware of and abide by the British Orienteering Participant Code of Conduct.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed, but under strict control and on a lead at all times. Please clean up after your dog.

Clothing and equipment

The area is suitable for running shoes, the majority of the running can be made on hard surfaces. Shorts and vests are permitted.

Planners Notes

Please observe all objects marked as uncrossable and do not enter any out-of-bounds areas.

The A339 (for course 1 to 3) must only be crossed by the bridges, there are 3 to choose from. The A339 will be marked as OOB.

In the south of the map in Winklebury, Juniors must use the underpasses to cross Winklebury Way, the courses are planned to facilitate this. Adults can choose how they cross the road but please be careful when crossing.

Most of the courses are on hard surfaces there is only a small amount of parkland.

A black cross x on the map is a bench seat.

Risk

Orienteering is an adventure sport; you are responsible for your own safety at the event and must not do anything that puts yourself or others at unnecessary risk.

Officials

• Organisers: Alan Kersley (BADO) and Charles Gook (BADO)
• Planner: Mike Frizzell (BADO)
• Controller: Axel Blomquist (SN)

It is pre-entry only using Racesignup.

Please refer to the racesignup entry page where the latest information will be posted.