News
CANCELLED - Polkemmet Country Park local event, Saturday 4th May 2024
Our planned local event at Polkemmet Country Park on Saturday 4th May 2024 has been CANCELLED due to lack of numbers. We hope to reschedule in the autumn / next year.
EVENT CANCELLED
Our event is based at Polkemmet Country Park in West Lothian. As well as our event, why not try the cafe at the visitor centre, or visit the Scottish National Owl Centre here?
Entries now open on Fabian 4.
LOCATION
Event is based at Polkemmet Country Park near Whitburn in West Lothian
- Postcode: TBC
- Streetmap / Google Maps
- OS Grid Ref:
- What3Words:
DIRECTIONS
Polkemmet is adjacent to the M8 near Whitburn, West Lothian.
By train: Nearest station is Armadale on the Bathgate line, which is approx 5km from the event.
By bus: The Scottish Citylink 902 service would be the best option, with a ~1km walk.
By car: Leave the M8 at junction 4A and follow the brown tourist signs to the Country Park, crossing an unfeasible number of roundabouts. We will be based in the "south" car park, which is a left turn almost immediately once in the Park (O sign here).
ENTRY AND ENTRY FEES
Entries are now open on Fabian4.
Entries close at midnight on Monday 29th April . A small number of extra maps will be printed and available on a first come first served basis on the day.
For any last minute queries or to reserve a map after entries close, please contact: info@interlopers.org.uk.
Seniors: £6 (SOA/BOF-affiliated club members) / £8 (non-members)
Juniors / Students: £3 (SOA/BOF-affiliated club members) / £4 (non-members)
Pairs, Groups and Families should make one entry paying the rate of the oldest participant, put the second runner / group name in the comment box, and order any extra maps (£1 each) on the entry form.
Entry on the day (EOD) will be at non-member rates, and subject to map availability so please pre-book to guarantee a map.
TOILETS
There are toilets in the main Park buildings, very close to Start.
TERRAIN
The park has a good path network, so suitable for those running 'up' a course. And the undergrowth in the various forest blocks is a low as your Planner has ever seen it, so running 'straight' rather than around the paths is likely to be advantageous. Golf courses are strictly out-of-bounds, and in any case are not an optimum (or even sub-optimum) route choice.
COURSES
Map will be to 1:5000 scale, courses planned by Paul Caban. Negligible climb on all courses.
| Planned to Sports Governing Body standards. Maps will be printed on waterproof paper | ||
| Yellow | 1.8 km | Controls (checkpoints) are very easy to find, mostly on main paths, ideal for younger children and complete beginners. |
| Orange | 2.9 km | Moderate, controls are on or near paths, with more route choice. Good for progressing juniors and beginner adults who are reasonably confident reading a map. |
| Light Green | 4.3 km | Suitable for experienced orienteers. |
REGISTRATION, START AND FINISH
Registration will open at 1:00, with starts from 1:30 to 3:00. If you think you may be slow, please start early in the start block. The start is around five minutes' walk from Registration; finish is adjacent. Course close at 4:00.
There are no allocated start times; 2-minute intervals between starts on each course unless we have too many last-minute starters!
Everyone must report to the finish and proceed to Download, whether they finish their courses or not. Otherwise you may trigger a search party and/or call to the emergency services!
EVENT OFFICIALS
Event officials are as follows
- Planner: Paul Caban
- On-the-day planner / control organiser: Colin Ledlie
- On the day Organiser: Paul Caban
ELECTRONIC TIMING
SportIdent (SI) electronic timing will be used, with SI Air enabled. If you have your own SI dibber, please bring it. Otherwise SI dibbers can be hired free of charge, but with £30 charge if lost. This must have been requested when booking your place for the event.
SAFETY NOTICE
Participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event. By entering the event you are accepting this condition.
Parents/guardians should explain all safety aspects to all children and vulnerable persons in their care and if you are in any doubt about their ability to stay safe only allow them to participate with a carer.
A risk assessment has been carried out by the organiser.
Please note:
- The area is used by the general public, including dog walkers and cyclists. Please respect their right to use the area and make room to pass safely. You are required to abide by the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (see http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/sites/default/files//docs/know_the_code_leaflet.pdf), and if necessary give way or stop running temporarily for safety reasons, e.g. some cyclists, dogs, etc.
- If you or one of your dependants have an underlying medical condition that might occur during the event, please brief the organiser in advance and leave a sealed written record at the event registration (to be destroyed afterwards).
- The area in a few places can be rough underfoot, steep and slippery.
- You are encouraged to carry a coat if there is a risk of bad weather and a whistle in case of injury (if injured give 6 long blasts, wait a minute, repeat).
- As ever, if you have any COVID symptoms, please respect others and stay away.
First Aid will be available on the day from certified first aiders. Anything more serious should be dealt with at the nearest A&E which is at St John's Hospital, approx 1 mile from the event at Howden Road West, Livingston EH54 6PP. Main reception 01506 523 000.
PRIVACY
When entering our orienteering events your name may appear in the results section of the Interlopers orienteering club website. We do not share your data with other organisations, other than the sport governing bodies for administrative purposes. We do not use it for any marketing purposes. By entering the event you are accepting this condition.
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