Alastair Thomas took the M21E win on Saturday
It was a great weekend of top quality orienteering in the Lakes on the weekend of October 3rd/4th. Many thanks to Lakeland O.C, Warrior O.C., and the many top orienteers who attended. It was surely the strongest field in the UK this year that has been so disrupted by COVID.
The weekend was part of the UK Elite Orienteering Leaguewho encouraged attendance, and will be as close as we are going to get to a National Champs this year. The League is doing a great job of promoting the sport across the open age categories and both days had a distinct buzz in the socially distanced car parking.
Carol McNeill organised the weekend.The planners were Martin Bagness for Saturday, and Chris Heppenstall for Sunday, with Dick Towler controlling. Martin also did the mapping.
The men's course at Graythwaite
Saturday's race was in rain that got heavier as the day went on. By contrast Sunday was sunshine and little wind - a lovely Autumn day.
Cecilie Andersen ahead of Grace Molloy towards the final control
Saturday - Middle Distance
Part of the area was exceptionally detailed, and the courses made full use of this.
M21E 5.2km / 195m / 23 controls
- 1st: Alastair Thomas, Edinburgh University
- 2nd: Graham Gristwood, Forth Valley
- 3rd: Alasdair McLeod, Airienteers
W21E 4.5km / 160m / 20 controls
- 1st: Sarah Jones, Lakeland O.C.
- 2nd: Laura King, Edinburgh University
- 3rd: Cecilie Andersen, Bristol
Scandiclub tops on show today. @UKEliteOLeague W21E winner SarahJones led through the "arena" run-through by AliMcLeod. @LakelandOClub pic.twitter.com/2UAPq4io41
— On The Red Line (@OnTheRedLineO) October 3, 2020
LauraKing was second on W21E. pic.twitter.com/bK81SHzM9A
— On The Red Line (@OnTheRedLineO) October 3, 2020
Sunday - Long Distance
There were convincing wins for the runners who had been seeded to the last starts the previous day: Graham Gristwood of Forth Valley Orienteers and Cecilie Andersen of Bristol O.K.
M21E 10.8km / 570m / 25 controls
- 1st: Graham Gristwood, Forth Valley
- 2nd: Alastair Thomas, Edinburgh University
- 3rd: Peter Hodkinson, Edinburgh University
W21E 7.2km / 395m / 19 controls
- 1st: Cecilie Andersen, Bristol
- 2nd: Grace Molloy, Forth Valley
- 3rd: Laura King, Edinburgh University
Graham Gristwood crosses a track on the way to the run-in on Saturday
Cecilie Andersen passes the start kite on Day 2
We were active on Twitter over the weekend. Here's a pack reaching the penultimate control on Sunday.
The wolf pack hunts down the penultimate control https://t.co/zHGSDzxRDr
— UK Elite Orienteering League (@UKEliteOLeague) October 4, 2020
Photos
Nvii Str8, sponsors of the League, were in the car park
The League Coordinator, Duncan Birtwistle, in Octavian Droobers colours
Helen Ockenden
Joe Woodley
Niamh Hunter
Alasdair McLeod
Pippa Carcas
Peter Bray