Park3 King Edward Park & Gradings
The last of the park series qualifiers was contested on the beautiful slopes of King Edward Park. Thanks to the two junior Alex's for a fantastic event and a fantatic new map.
Next week is the final so check your grading. Those that haven't qualified can still run but wont have a grade result against their name. See you all at HRH next week.
From organiser/mapper Alex Massey.
I've always wanted to have an Orienteering race in King Edward Park. Every time i would run through, i would eye off control features and even think of legs that would be interesting and fun (i.e. the long leg on the long course!). So when Alex Orr asked if i would like to set a park orienteering event with him i was very keen and the location was decided straight away. Getting carried away with my enthusiasm i agreed to create the brand new map as well! Russell Rigby supplied me with the contours and a satellite image background to work with and i was away. However being a novice to OCAD i struggled and the first months were filled with frustration as i couldn't conquer the required mapping skills. Admittedly i put off the majority of the mapping until February, when i had to put the pedal down and get to it. However i gained confidence and made progress and the map was born.
Alex Orr and I met one day in February and decided on all the control locations and took note of control descriptions, then went away to plan our respective courses (Short course for Alex O and Long Course for Alex M). I had an idea of some legs i wanted to include and i built my course around that. With some help and tips from both Russell Rigby and Geoff Todkill i was able to conquer OCAD and everything was done and dusted, and sent away to be printed just in time.
There were some challenges leading up to the event, the council closed one of the paths near the Rose Garden for resealing which i was worried would affect route choice, but was reopened just in time. The correct boulder at the Bogey Hole was moved and the control had to be placed on the next boulder in the row. Plus i noticed that the map was missing a few minor features, which i realised when it was too late because the maps were already printed. But it didn't seem to affect competitors greatly, something i was worried about. Plus on the day we were missing a table which lead to a little panic and the original start location was invading on the booked out grass for the personal training session, which is why the start location was moved further west then planned.
However despite these set backs the response was generally positive which was pleasing. Most people seemed to enjoy the courses and the map, although many commented that they would prefer less hills! Also some people had trouble adjusting to the 1:3000 scale, something i had expected, but it was needed to show enough detail. Apologies are due however for the dodgy control description at Control 11 on the Long Course, and the circle invading on the bridge causing some confusion. And for some later runners, Control 28 was not on the feature, I think that was moved by the people using the BBQ's and I didn't realise this until control collection.
A massive thankyou to everyone that helped out and everyone that came and attempted to help out, it was much appreciated. I apologise if i have left anyone's name off, but thankyou. I'm looking forward to setting future events, although perhaps on maps that already exist!
Set up: Maria and Peter Orr, Dave Messenger, Mick Kavur, Carolyn Rigby
Registration: Carolyn Rigby, Pam Montgomery, Cheryle Todkill
Start: Maria Orr
Finish: Peter Orr, Alex Massey, Alex Orr
Control Collection: Peter Newton, Malcolm Roberts, Damian Welbourne, Maria Orr, Peter Orr, Alex Massey, Geoff Todkill