Orienteering

Last updated at 15:06, Thursday, 26 January 2012

WEST Cumberland orienteers chose one of the toughest venues for their night event last week with the weather making it even more difficult.

The open fellside around Blea Tarn in Eskdale is technically challenging even in broad daylight, but in the very dark conditions on the night the planner, Kate Charles, produced real grown up courses which tested all runners to the full.

The long course with thirteen control points traversed the complex fellside over a distance of 4.1km.

Finding the control flag as you approach the feature, exactly where you expect it to be, gives you a real buzz, particularly in the wild conditions on the night.

Alan Irving had a very clean run, coming in over six minutes clear of second placed John Slater.

Hannah Bradley had a good win on the short course.

Many runners found the conditions tough, with a driving sleet shower half way round the course making map reading a real challenge, and consequently forcing them to retire.

Several tough venues in the reminder of the winter will continue to test the runners and will surely produce a worthy series winner.

John Slater, David Spencer and Alan Irving are battling for the title, and both Pete Nelson and Mike Harrison in with a chance.

Details of the remaining fixtures can be found on the website www.wcoc.co.uk and close to each Thursday, on the answerphone 10768 895539.

Blea Tarn results

Long: 1, Alan Irving 39.33; 2, John Slater 45.57; 3, Andrew Bradley 47.27; 4, Kevin Hodgson 49.14; 5, Steven Breeze 52.26; 6, Chris Pollitt 53.59; 7, David Downes 56.39; 8, John Taylor 56.55; 9, Pete Nelson 57.46; 10, Jeff Goodwin 58.18; 11, Julian Lailey 61.36; 12, Darren Baker 64.38; 13, Roger Jackson 77.02; 14, Martin Smith 85.43.

Short: 1, Hannah Bradley 39.28; 2, Chris Cripps 49.58.

First published at 11:11, Thursday, 26 January 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk