Come and join us for the next in our a series of 10 Summer Park MapRun events in parks in Greater Manchester jointly being hosted by SELOC and MDOC.

There will be a choice of three short courses of 2 to 4km for just one entry fee – do as many as you want.

All courses will require the use of the MapRun(R)  app on a phone or watch.

If you haven’t orienteered before or are inexperienced there will be someone at Registration to assist you, and the MapRun App can be set to show you your whereabouts as you make your way round the course.

• Great for families, newcomers and for training too
• The three courses offer plenty of opportunities for groups to share, show, and shadow. The MapRun App tracks your location, and the results service compares your route with others’ routes. Super for seeing how you’ve done.
• You can complete one course as a group, gain some confidence and then maybe split up for the next.
• Experienced runners have eight kilometres and around thirty checkpoints to complete over three courses: to jog, sprint, or walk.
• Relax afterwards at the Cafe in the park.

Pennington Flashes is part of an impressive country park. The lake and surrounding marshland are home to a diverse group of mammals, birds and insects, including 5 RSPB red listed birds and the protected water vole.

Date of Event

Tuesday 26th May 2026

Location

Sign posted from the A580 East Lancs Road. Follow the signs and turn onto the A579 Atherleigh Way then left onto the A572 St Helens Road. The main entrance is situated on St Helens Road opposite Leigh Fire Station. For sat nav users the postcode is WN7 3PA.

Grid Ref for Location SJ 644984

What3Words: chess.tumblers.outreach

Lat. Long:  53.481439, -2.537492

Parking

The main car park is available and should provide plenty of space.

• The Car Park is open 6am – 8pm. The parking charge is currently £2.50 all day, payable via pay and display machines by card only.
• Blue badge holders are exempt from the charges if parked in designated spaces and displaying a valid blue badge.

Terrain

The area is in two distinct parts. The first part is flat with an excellent path network which runs around several wildfowl reserves. The second part is an old coal mining waste tip some 15m high, half of which is Rough Open grassland and half is dense developing woodland with some hills and knolls.

Map

There will be three separate MapRun courses with a total distance about 9km. Paper maps will be available for inspection at registration to help you choose the course or courses you want to navigate.

Facilities

An excellent cafe, toilets and children’s play area which are all close to the car park.

Timings

Start anytime between 11:00 and 14:00

Please note, the courses will be open and you are welcome to complete them after 14:00, but volunteers will leave just after 14:00.

Courses

Three linear courses of 2km to 4km within the park. Courses require use of the MapRun® app on a phone (or watch)

You can do one two or all three courses, the choice is yours.

No control flags will be set out around the park at this event.

Registration, download and the finish

We will be based by the cafe, look out for the SELOC flag.

The start

Start anytime between 11:00 and 14:00

Please note, the courses will be open and you are welcome to complete them after 14:00, but volunteers will leave just after 14:00.

Entries and Fees

This is a free activity as part of the Wigan Walks Week.

How to Enter

Entry on the day for this activity.

Entry on the day fees

Free entry.

First Aid

A first Aid kit will be available but competitors should try to treat any injuries themselves with guidance from a first aider if necessary. Ask at Download.

Officials

Planner – TBC

Organiser – Paul Turner info@seloc.org.uk