SELOC Successes
As we start to get a few “proper” events appearing again, it’s good to be able to report they’re proving popular with SELOC members, many of whom seem to have retained their skills, technique and fitness during lockdown.First local-ish event since our last report was PFO’s at Whittaker Park in Rawtenstall on 19 September, where the Wilson family reigned supreme – Catherine Wilson 2nd on the Technical course, ahead of Steve Wilson in 4th and then Anna 7th on the Orange course. Also good to see Peter Brooke (10th), Eric Burton (13th) and Josie Greenhalgh (19th) delivering good runs on the Technical course. On the Orange course, junior member Thea was 9th but bit of a puzzle to see Jason Middleton on that course too as he normally runs much longer ones (hope that doesn’t indicate an injury, but he had a number of fastest splits so maybe not) though a mis-punch spoiled his overall result – oops!Then this last weekend saw the second of PFO’s planned autumn series on Saturday 26th at Spring Wood, Whalley, with Catherine Wilson going one better to take top spot on the Technical course, again just ahead of husband Steve Wilson who was in 2nd. Chris Taylor had an excellent run on that same course with 10th place, ahead of Peter Brooke (29th) and Stephen Round (32nd). Joanna Treasure had her first run for a while, finishing 9th on Light Green, while new junior member Flynn was our only competitor on the Orange course in 7th place. Looks like Flynn brought along some family members too, as Mary was in 11th on Light Green and Hallie also 11th on the Yellow course – maybe we will soon welcome them as full SELOC members if they’ve caught the orienteering bug! Our best result on the Yellow course, however, came from Anna W in 2nd ahead of brother Daniel who mis-punched.On Sunday 27th, CLARO staged a full-blown regional event at Hookstone Woods, Harrogate. Stephen Round was our only member to venture across where he was 31st on the Green course.
Forthcoming Events
After the brief flurry of events mentioned above, things are in danger of going a bit quiet as COVID rears its ugly head again. PFO look to have cancelled the remainder of their autumn series – although there’s an event at Nick o’ Pendle next Saturday (3rd October) mentioned as still to be confirmed on the BOF fixtures list, it doesn’t feature on their club website. However, MDOC do have an event that same day at Woodbank Park in Stockport and entries remain open until Thursday, 1st October. As ever now, pre-entry is required so see the MDOC website if interested.Although there aren’t too many “proper” events locally over the next couple of weeks, there are a number of MapRun style events within range. With no equipment such as control markers to set out, these are open for you to complete at any time over a period of several days using a mobile ‘phone app with GPS to prove your visit and to provide timing. MDOC’s summer series, comprising 4 varied events using this technology, comes to an end this coming Sunday 4th October so get moving if you want to have a go. They’re free and don’t require pre-entry, just download the app following links from the club websiteThen EPOC have 3 urban courses on offer until Thursday this coming week in Halifax South, followed by something similar in Honley, near Holmfirth, the following week. Also beginning 3rd October, SROC have courses available in Astley Park, Chorley for a fortnight.
SELOC Events
The worsening of the COVID situation locally is not helping us get any of our events off the ground. Although we have guidelines agreed at national level to allow events to be safely staged, councils are reluctant to allow organised activities on their parks in current circumstances. Oldham Council have indicated they don’t anticipate any change until new year, so our plans for Alexandra Park and Tandle Hill events remain on hold. Salford Council are willing to discuss dates for the 3 events we have planned there, so we await the outcome in light of increasing infection rates currently dominating the news