Burbage Summer Sharpener 3

Burbage Summer Sharpener 3 on Wed 7th Sep 2016

'Back before dark' was both the name and the aim of this final race, hence a fairly short course and just the five controls. I tried to devise a fairly obvious horseshoe circuit with reasonably fast distance running between the controls, but requiring careful attention to detail in the final micro navigation as you approached your destinations. You also faced the choice of which way round to go – did you opt for a fast sprint down the green lane for starters, or the rockier and slightly undulating run out to Higgar Tor and Carl Wark? The top orienteers went for the latter, and predictably dragged most of the field with them, (presumably giving everyone a guided tour as far as the first control in the bracken?). I thought the description of the Carl Wark rock chimney was generously precise, but clearly not precise enough to prevent some people going walk-about for a surprising fifteen minutes or so, (no names eh, Keith/Kev?). There also seemed to be a very wide divergence of routes to and from the rocky pit off Houndkirk Road. Quite a spectrum of times, but mission accomplished with everyone back just before sunset, and just before the Burbage midges had bitten the race organiser to insanity.

Thank you all for coming, and for supporting the series again this year. Congratulations to Kris Groom, who capitalised on Neil's absence in the final race to take the series trophy with a fast accumulated time that suggested cocksure navigation across all three races. We got through four boxes of Mountain Rescue Ale in prizes, meaning we've done quite a bit of public-spirited drinking in support of the Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team. Covering costs is an inexact science, and the big field in this final race left me with in unexpected surplus of £38.28 which will now be donated to the rescue team too.

Anyone fancy organising it next year?

DH