Who's afraid of the dark?
Apparently not the 60+ Newcastle orienteers that enjoyed the all too rare experience of orienteering in the dark last night at Speers Point Park. Geoff Todkill devised the courses that took competitors in all directions even managing to squeeze a 4km long course out of the area.
Head torches were donned and the first competitor strode out at about 7:45pm. Smiles all round suggested an enjoyable evening even for those that had minor directional problems.
Alex Massey literally sprinted around the long course completing it in an amazing 17:07 (4:17min/km) although even he’d admit he had one of the best lighting systems on the night.
Matt Hayes continued his good form once again taking the short course honours as he did in the daylight park series final.
There have already been calls from the participants to have this at least an annual event with some suggesting an even greater frequency would be better. Maybe a mid-winter Wednesday night event, any takers?
Event: Park Night Orienteering
Location: Speer Point
Planner: Geoff Todkill
Entries: 62
Weather: Perfect
Rego: Carolyn Rigby
Start: Maria Orr
Finish: Allan Wright, Cheryle Todkill
Control Collect: Wes Dose, Tim Tew, Graeme Taplin