Enjoy a double sprint event in Brandon, Durham – ideal as a warm-up for the Newcastle Urban (UKUL) taking place the following day (Sunday 15th June). Follow the link for more information about the NATO event: Newcastle Urban

Venue: We have picked out 2 areas on the Brandon map (previously used for an urban event in 2023) which are ideally suited to the sprint format; the first to the west and the second to the north of the event centre at Meadowfield Leisure Centre, DH7 8RG.

Travel by car: approach along the A690 (Durham to Crook), turn into access road for Meadowfield Leisure Centre, turn right into County Council car park.
Travel by train: There is a regular train service from Newcastle and from the south. Durham station is 20 minutes by bus or 4km on foot from event enquiries.
Travel by bus: X46 from Durham to Crook (operated by Arriva).
Cycling: the venue can be accessed via the Lanchester to Willington cycle path. Bike racks are available at the leisure centre.

Parking and Assembly: Durham Council Offices car park (no charge), John Street North, Meadowfield, Durham DH7 8TZ adjacent to Meadowfield Leisure Centre. Google Maps What3Words: ///hike.blaze.square NZ 248 399

In the event that this parking area becomes full, additional parking can be found on St John’s Road. This is the next left turn after the Meadowfield Leisure Centre when heading south west on the A690 (away from Durham). This is free on street parking – please park courteously for local residents/businesses. Google Maps What3Words: ///margin.trains.bench NZ 249 398

Fees (includes both sprints): Senior BO members – £10, Senior non BO members – £12, Juniors/Students – £5

Entries: Online via Racesignup. Online entries are now closed. Contact organise for late entry availability.

Late Entries: there may be some extra maps. Please contact the organiser to check availability [email protected]

Entry on the Day: limited to map availability.

Enquiries/Download: Open from 10:00 located in a white van at the edge of the parking area. Hired dibber collection, Scavenger-O purchase (50p), EOD.

Start: Note that each sprint has a different start; routes to both starts will be taped from Enquiries. Punching start with a -4 minute call up at both. Juniors should be accompanied to both starts and should wait at the manned finish for a parent/guardian to escort them back to Assembly as some road crossings are required.

Sprint #1: 11:00-11:30. A 1.5km walk. Head north from the parking to the disused railway line and then west along the line.

Sprint #2: 13:00 -13:30. A 500m walk. Head north from the parking. The route takes you across a reasonably busy road – please take care.

Scavenger-O – 50p. A gap between the two sprints is necessary for organisational purposes – please be patient! An orienteering quiz in the form of a scavenger hunt based in the playing fields around the leisure centre will be available on the day and is open to all. You may wish to take part whilst waiting for the second sprint to begin. Cost of entry is 50p (maps and answer sheet available from Enquiries – pay on the day) and correct answers will be entered into a prize draw. All answer sheets should be returned to Enquiries/Download by 13:00. Winners (to be drawn by first finisher) will be notified on downloading after Sprint #2.

Finish: Remote, manned finish at both sprint locations. Retrace your route by following the tape – all competitors must report to download on your return to the event centre even if you retire.

Courses close at: Sprint #1 – 12:15, Sprint #2 – 14:15.

Results: Live results should be available at the event and later on the website (see results tab above).

UKOL points: to calculate the UKOL points the total time for both sprints will be submitted – separate results for each sprint will be available on the website.

EPS: This event will use the SportIdent electronic system. Control stations will be enabled for touch free punching (SIAC) but competitors will need to punch the start and finish control. All control sites will have a backup system in the event of control failure. This involves a tag with a unique 3 letter word instead of the traditional punch. Remember the word and report it to the download team to prove you have visited the control.

Hired Dibbers: Dibber hire is available for £1 – choose this option with Racesignup. You’ll need to pick up your hired dibber from Enquiries before you go to the Start. Lost/damaged dibbers will be charged at £30.

Map & Area: Brandon – mapped by Allen Banister (2022/23). Most of the area in use for the sprints is built on the site of the demolished old colliery and it’s terraced houses. See the following Northern Echo article for further details of its History. We have picked two areas of the Brandon urban map suited to the sprint format comprising areas of housing with lots of footpaths, interspersed with green spaces. Both areas offer plenty of route choice with limited traffic due to the predominance of cul-de-sacs serving the residents. Brandon is situated on a hill and so all courses will have some degree of climb. See Routegadget for the last time the area was used for a competition.

The map is 1:3000 with 5m contours.

Map Symbols: Please remember that the following denote out of bounds/uncrossable features for an Urban event:

The map follows ISSprOM 2019-2. The following Special Symbols are used:

Safety Information: First Aid will be available at enquiries/download and at both finishes. In the event of injury/incident whilst out on the course, report to finish for assistance. Short leg cover may be worn.

Juniors must be accompanied to and from both starts/finish by a responsible adult and may be shadowed if desired. Junior courses contain uncontrolled crossings of minor housing estate roads with good visibility. If a problem arises on the course, report to the finish which is manned.

Note that orienteering is an adventure sport. A comprehensive risk assessment for the event has been prepared and identified risks have been mitigated, however please be aware that participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event.

Control descriptions: descriptions will be on the map and loose descriptions will be available in the start box

Facilities: Toilets will be available in the leisure centre, 2 minutes from the parking. Please treat the facilities respectfully e.g. remove shoes if muddy.

Sorry, there will be no water at the finish, please bring your own supply.

Dogs: Dogs will be allowed, but please clean up after your dog.

Thanks: Many thanks to Meadowfield Leisure Centre for use of their toilets.

Officials:

• Organiser – Boris Spence
• Planner – Matthew Foskett (Sprint #1) Barnaby Warren (Sprint #2)
• Controller – Julian Warren (NN)