NOY series past half way mark
100+ runners turned out to participate in Wallaroo state forest, just North of Raymond Terrace for event Number 4 in the Newcastle Orienteer of the year series. This area was last used for the 2007 Hunter Valley Championships, but today we were taken much further into the depths of the lower south of the map with its open spur-gully terrain and intricate creek systems. Course setter David Kitchener made good use of the terrain providing longer style courses and as usual was very well organised with great “colour coded” signage in a nicely laid out assembly area.
Perhaps fiscal pressures due to high petrol prices are the main factor behind an increase in the numbers of club members riding to local events. As well as saving $$$ it also provides a great pre-race warm up and ensures a small personal carbon footprint for the day. Stu Adams ride of approx 54 km probably wins this weeks cycle challenge (but hey, he got a lift home!)
Josh Blatchford, fresh back from competing in Tasmania, took out the Long Red, running his 6.5 km in 50 minutes (7.5 min kilometre rate) with Karen, “Mother of Josh”, taking out the women’s in the ever popular Medium Red course in 62 mins. (Josh Roberts “slumming” in the medium red after a bit of a lay off, actually won this course convincingly but didn’t want this mentioned so I wont). Steven Roberts and Matt Hayes backed up after their Glendale wins with another in the Short Red and Short Orange respectively. Graeme Taplin won by 6 minutes on the Long Orange and Kathy Grace also had a big win on the Green course.
Only 3 NOY events now remain for 2008 with your best five events out of 7 adding for a series result. Up to date results will be available soon on the web and at events so you can see how you are going.
Thanks to David and Anne Kitchener for organising and setting this event and also Denis Lyons who put many hours into updating and adding to the map. Thanks also to all the helpers, especially control collectors: Joy Guy, Mark Simons, Rudi Landsiedel, Nigel and Angus Thompson, and Denis Lyons.