IMPORTANT NOTICE

Unfortunately tonight's session at Litherland Sports Park has been cancelled due to the adverse weather conditions. The next session will be 6.30-8pm on Monday 10th January.

Orienteering on BBC Radio

Edge Hill

Today Litherland Lead Coach Steve McLean was at Edge Hill University with Hamish Willis, British Orienteering's NW Regional Development Officer. Hamish was delivering a Teaching Orienteering Part 1 course to a fantastic group of students. Hopefully some of them will find their way to Litherland Sports Park early in the new year to put their orienteering teaching skills to good use. They're certain to get a friendly reception :-)

Safety

Well the dark evenings are well and truly with us now so it's important that all participants can be clearly seen when running anywhere near vehicles. Please wear something suitably reflective. A few reflective vests are available to borrow. A torch/headtorch will also prove useful. Guidance is available at our Monday evening club nights.

Urban O

Last night we hit the streets in preparation for a forthcoming urban o street race in Ormskirk. See www.sroc.org fixtures for info - date 17th November.

Before that there'll be some interesting challenges this Saturday at Daresbury nr Runcorn. More info at www.deeside-orienteering-club.org.uk.

If you're looking to get fit or already run hard we've something for you at our Monday evening club nights. Newcomers always welcome, all ages although under 11's must be accompanied by an adult.

Other activities

Busy weekend for those associated with Monday club nights. Activities included a trail race in Standish, Lakes weekend taking in the Mid Lancs cross country in Barrow and an adventure on Great Gable, more cross country in Birkenhead and orienteering in the Midlands.

Running group boosts numbers

Chris Henders and his Run in England training group joined in with the orienteering last night. They were faced with a challenging cones activity or two before running some courses set out on the football field. Fair to say some coped better than others but next time I'm sure they'll all be up for the challenge!! Well done!! None stayed for the juice and biscuits though!!!!

Catch up

Been even busier than normal last few weeks so no chance to update this site, sorry!! Anyway, well done to those who raced at Calderstones Park, Witton Park, Tockholes and anywhere else recently.

Compasses

Tonight's session involved participants memorising and copying a challenging course onto a blank map then taking bearings between controls whilst moving.

Also, David Bolton, co-planner of the recent Formby event, was on hand to offer guidance to those who'd taken part.

Next event is Saturday at Calderstones Park.

Sudoku orienteering style

Tonight's version used map symbols instead of numbers. Hard enough? No, try doing it jogging round a track!!! Well done to everyone who did :-)

Before that we took part in a quiz about the summer's European Athletics Championships with questions set by 9 year old David Spencer. What an excellent and challenging job he did - thanks.

Special Offer

You'll see from the post below that several Monday evening regulars are having a go at this Sunday's open event at Formby. Anyone taking part in that event can enjoy a Monday evening orienteering club night session at Litherland FREE OF CHARGE plus 50% off all other Monday evening club night sessions until 31/10/2010, subject to the following conditions:

1) You don't need to have previously attended a Monday orienteering club night session at Litherland to benefit from this offer.
2) You must bring your Formby event map and results slip along to the Monday orienteering club night session. One map/results slip is sufficient for whole family to benefit from this offer.
3) You must claim your FREE Monday orienteering club night session before 31/10/2010.
4) 50% discount applies to all Monday orienteering club night sessions until 31/10/2010.
5) The claim period will be extended should the Lead Coach need to cancel any sessions during the offer period.
6) Please note that entries on the day for the Formby event are subject to sufficient maps being available so you are advised to register early. More info at www.meroc.co.uk

End of Summer?

It had been a stormy sort of day and the rain duly arrived at the wrong time!!

Anyway, in addition to some of our regulars we welcomed several people from Chris Henders' running group tonight and hope they'll be able to join in again sometime soon.

Despite the rain they all said they enjoyed their orienteering experience. Well done for coping excellently with the weather and the Score and Snooker courses.

At least 3 of our regulars will be taking part in the big open event at Formby this Sunday. Good luck to Oliver, Diane and Elaine and anyone else up for the challenge. Limited entries available on the day. Turn up at Range High School, Formby between 10.00 and 11.00am to register. Yellow is a good course for beginners; Orange for novice adults. As well as beginners, several hundred competitors from across the NW will be racing in the regional round of a national competition. More details at www.meroc.co.uk

Dates for your diary

To enter, or for more information about, any of the following or any aspects of orienteering please email litherlandadventure@hotmail.co.uk or phone/text 07831 694856.

31st August 2010 - Formby entries close (limited entry on day available at higher rate)

12th September 2010 - Open event - Formby (enter by 31st August for cheaper rate or limited entry on day at higher rate)

21st September 2010 - Closing date for British Schools' Score Championships

2nd October 2010 - Open event - Calderstones Park, Liverpool

9th October 2010 - British Schools' Score Championships - Witton Park, Blackburn (entries close 21st September)

Important news - next session

With most regulars unable to make it over the next couple of weeks it's been decided to take a short break. Next session will be 6.30-8pm on Monday 6th September 2010.

New and existing participants welcome.

Forthcoming sessions

Monday evening sessions will continue during the summer and beyond with the exception of August Bank Holiday when Litherland Sports Park is closed. We'll maybe get the chance to orienteer in Rimrose Country Park sometime during August - watch this space!!

Although Lead Coach Steve can't make the sessions until 2nd August he's planned activities. Club Night regular Elaine will be in charge, ably assisted next Monday by experienced orienteer Norman. They look forward to seeing new and familiar faces.

Newcomers always welcome - no experience or special equipment needed.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT - Monday 5th July

No session on 5th but back again 12th July. Session will include snooker orienteering. Don't worry if you don't know anything about orienteering or snooker as all you need will be explained.

World Cup

A depleted training squad this week although numbers were boosted by Richard and family. A football world cup draw took place thanks to David and a number of fixtures played. Some very close results.

Quarter-finals and various play-off places this coming Monday.

Don't worry if you weren't there as you can still join in the world cup fun.

Bank Holiday

Just a reminder that there won't be a session this Monday as Litherland Sports Park is closed for the Bank Holiday. Next session 7th June 6.30-8pm.

Too many trees

Tonight's session used a small area, adjoining the race cycle track, with plenty of small trees, all individually mapped.

Four courses were available with everyone managing each. Some ran hard, others walked or jogged. Staying in control and carefully checking position was key. There were lots of successes as well as much disbelief when downloading showed 1 or more errors had been made. I think Elaine was the only one managing a full set of correct results on the first attempt which wasn't surprising as this was quite a complex challenge.

Bank holiday next Monday so Litherland Sports Park is closed and we won't have a session. Looking forward to seeing new and regular participants on Monday 7th June when we'll be having our own World Cup draw courtesy of David.

Litherland's Maze

15 took on tonight's maze challenge and won!! Between them they notched up 79 goes through the maze. Well done!!!


Getting the barriers ready





View of the maze



About to start


Concentrating hard




How have I done?


Proudly displaying map and score

Thanks to Elaine, Diane, Oliver and David for helping Steve to construct and dismantle the maze.

Victoria Park Urban-O

Great turnout this afternoon in Crosby's Victoria Park. Over 100 people, many in family groups, enjoyed the Spring sunshine when taking part in the Urban-O challenge.

The goal was to visit the 10 control points marked on a detailed map in any order, with each worth 10 points. However, there were several other controls set out in the park and visiting any of them incurred a penalty of 5 each time!!

Well done everyone. Hopefully lots of you can make it to Litherland Sports Park 6.30-8pm Mondays for the orienteering club night sessions. Scores and times from today appear below(click to enlarge).

Many thanks to Park Rangers Christine and Angela, the Friends of Victoria Park and Diane for help and support before, during and after.

Extra orienteering

Local Park Rangers Christine and Angela have invited Litherland Club Night Lead Coach Steve to put on some Urban-o in Victoria Park, Crosby at 2pm this Sunday. All welcome. See arrow on map below for location of meeting point. Click to enlarge.

Future sessions

What can you expect over coming weeks? The aim is enjoyment while developing cardio fitness, agility and orienteering skills. Coming up you'll have opportunities to do circuits, Snakes and Ladders, Too Many Trees, Amazing Maze plus more conventional orienteering and jogging/running. The biscuits at the end of each session are also proving popular!!

Remember, sessions cater for all ages and abilities and no prior experience or special equipment is needed.

Sunny evening in Moorside Park

Great turnout tonight. First of all we had 10 children from Forefield Junior School. They'd been part of an after-school orienteering club during March. This time they were out and about in the park and brought their parents along too. Well done to everyone, especially Cameron for scoring maximum points in a very speedy 11:31. Hopefully lots of you will pop along to our Monday club night sessions at Litherland Sports Park.

Our club night regulars took on the challenge of 3 short courses. Some took them nice and leisurely others much quicker but all did well and are developing their skills and fitness.

We also had a couple of families trying orienteering for the first time - Sean and Sophie and Ben and Tom enjoyed themselves - hope their parents did too!!

No session next Monday as several can't make it due to bank holiday but back in action at Litherland on 10th May. Those wanting something active on 3rd May could try the fun run or associated races from the playing fields next to Hall Road station. First event starts 10.40am. Further information can be obtained from the link below or by contacting Race Director, Mike Wilkinson, Tel: 0151 924 1318, or email: wilkymanor@aol.com. Mike would also appreciate any offers of help.
http://www.southportwaterlooac.co.uk/entry%20forms/15K_entry2010.pdf

Monday 26th April

Remember the venue change this time to Moorside Park, Crosby. See maps below for location. See you there.

Location map for 26th April

This session is at Moorside Park, Crosby. See arrow on maps below for location. Click to enlarge.

Sefton Park open event

Congratulations to Oliver Roome for doing really well on the Yellow course today. Other Monday club regulars in the results are Elaine Sutton and Darren Baker, both on Green. Thanks to MEROC for hosting the event.

Courses here:
http://www.dee.routegadget.co.uk/dee/reitti.cgi?act=map&id=50&kieli=

Results here:
http://www.obasen.nu/winsplits/online/en/default.asp?page=classes&databaseId=13894&ampct=true

Open event - Sefton Park - Saturday 24th April

This Saturday there's an open event at Sefton Park.

Registration 10-11.30am. Start times 10.30am-12pm. £5 adults/£2.50 children. Discounts for orienteering club members and/or those using own SI-card. Courses for all abilities. Everyone welcome.

See arrow on this map for location of registration.

Snooker/orienteering combo

Great to see some new faces tonight. Who knows, perhaps there's a future British Champion in this group!! For those with more modest aspirations the aim is enjoyment. It was great that all were happy trying the snooker-themed course.

The challenge was to navigate to a "red" control followed by a "colour" (yellow, green, brown, blue, pink or black). Once all the red had been "potted" the colours were visited in sequence. With a couple of decoys out there too, good planning, concentration and mapreading came in handy to avoid or minimise "fouls".

Sportident electronic timers were used to calculate scores with everyone receiving a printout on finishing showing the order they'd visited controls. These revealed a few fouls but not many. Well done to everyone for tackling the course so enthusiastically.

Unfortunately unexpected problems arose over the use of our room. I'm pleased to report that they're sorted. Thanks for your patience.

Next week the session is at Moorside Park, Crosby. A location map will appear here soon to make sure you all get there!!

British Sprint Championships

Litherland Club Night Lead Coach Steve McLean was course planner for today's British Sprint Championships in Chorley. Almost 500 orienteers from clubs the length and breadth of Britain raced to become British Champion. Sarah Rollins won the women's final and Graham Gristwood triumphed in the men's race.


photo: Dave Rollins

A sprint race in orienteering terms is one with a predicted winning time of 12-15 minutes. Yesterday's courses were approx 3k for the men and a little shorter for the women. Courses are measured on a straight line route between controls but due to buildings and other obstacles the actual distance covered is further.

Maps, courses, results, etc are at http://www.sroc.org/bsec2010/results.htm

Don't worry if top class competition isn't your scene as Steve also works with children and adults interested in improving their fitness, enjoying navigating or just wanting to try a new activity.

Club Night

Club night started tonight with people of various ages and experience attending. Next Monday participants can have a go at snooker-o, topical as the real snooker world champs start at the weekend.

Alternately finding a red then different colours until all reds are found then finish by visiting the colours in sequence. Points and fouls will apply as in real snooker. What's the best order? Who'll get the highest score?

Circuits and other courses also available so whatever your age or ability you'll have fun and get fitter so come along and give it a try.