Ted Finch Relay - Muiravonside Country ParkSat 19 Sept

Travel - please note that the B825 is closed between Linlithgow and the entrance to Muiravonside Country Park.  The best approach for anyone arriving by car is to travel East on the B825 to the park entrance, from the roundabout with the BP garage.  This roundabout is approached from the M9 Junction 4 by travelling South on the A801. 

It is also possible to reach the park by the canal towpath, on bike or foot, from either Linlithgow or Polmont train stations.

Parking is in the main Muiravonside car park.  You need to take a ticket at the barrier and drive through the woodland car park, continuing on till you get to the main car park. On exit you will need to scan your ticket and then pay £4.50 to leave. 

Follow the tapes from the car park to the Assembly area (approx. 250 metres).

1:7500, 5m contours. Mapped by Chris Smithard and updated last year by Joe Hudd. Mix of parkland and woodland, with an extensive path network. 

Course Lengths:

Short (TD 2) - 1.7km

Medium (TD 3) - 2.6km

Long (TD 4) - 3.6km

Courses planned all the way from Sweden by Grace Molloy - thanks Grace!

Concept

The concept for the event is that anyone and everyone can run in a relay team with no worries about letting anyone down and also have a great chance of being on the podium. Orienteers enter for one of the three legs Short, Medium or Long and will be allocated to a team. Everyone is in a team.

Team Allocation

Using careful selection based on 'all known form' and a bit of FVO magic all teams should be equally balanced. So for example one of our top Elite runners may well be paired with a beginner on the short course, and a less fit veteran on the medium course. If the selection is perfect then all teams will finish closely together after three legs!

FAQ

• What happens if there are not enough entries for one course?
  The team allocation can take this into account. For example if there are nominally 10 teams but only 5 entries on the Short course then each Short leg runner will be in two teams and hand over to two Medium leg runners.
   
• That sounds complicated how will I know who is handing over to me?
  There will be lots of help at the changeover. 
   
• If I am running for more than one team will I need lots of dibbers?
  No you will only have to dib once and download once. We don't want to make life difficult for orienteers or our download team.
   
• What happens if I miss-punch, I don't want to let anyone down?
  Don't worry no one will be disqualified but there will be a time penalty added to ensure fairness.
   
• Will the orienteering just become a follow the leader event?
  No as there will be route choice options and some courses may be 'gaffled'. This will mean that orienteers will complete the same course but some sections might be taken in a different order. At the end of the race all teams will have completed the same total course.
   
• Can pairs take part?
  On the short easy course it is fine for a Junior pair to run together or for a Junior to be shadowed or accompanied.
   
• Where did this idea come from?
  We think this event concept is unique however some of the ideas have been drawn from the New Zealand Katoa Po Night Relay. As the early evening legs in this relay are limited to juniors, some teams have shared first leg juniors from time to time.
   

• Will there be cake?
  Traditionally this event has cake for all finishers.

   

• Who's this Ted Finch guy?

  Ted is a founder member of FVO. He has been orienteering for more than 50 years and been a keen competitor, event organiser and IOF event advisor amongst many other things! 
   

Read more about Course lengths and Difficulty here

Enter here: Orienteering Signup - Enter

Entries for this event are now CLOSED!

Event starts at 12:00 - please gather at 11:30 for briefing.

Mrs Ted Finch - the lovely Val - has made lots of yummy cakes to reward you all for running around the woods!  Thank you Val!

Muiravonside also has an excellent cafe, some toilets, a recently refurbished playpark and a mini demonstration farm with loads of really cool animals! Energetic people can also climb up the steps to the aqueduct and look down from above - it's a great view, with canal boats frequently passing. Get full value for your exit fee by staying on after the event and enjoying all the park has to offer!

A small First Aid kit will be available, with a trained First Aider in attendance, but anyone with more serious injuries should attend Forth Valley Royal Hospital. 

There are some steep cliffs above the river but the courses don't go anywhere near these.  Slopes in the woods can be slippery - studded shoes are highly recommended for Medium and Long courses. 

The weather is forecast to be sunny but with 'gusty winds'.  Please bring lots of warm clothing to wear while you are waiting excitedly for sightings of your team mates!