WET WEATHER NO DETERRENT

Intrepid orienteers travelled to Forest of Dean to compete in the annual BOK Trot event organised by Bristol Orienteering Klub. Over 500 competitors braved the driving wind and rain running through the forest and across swollen and fast flowing streams.

Top 5 positions were achieved by: Andy Simpson M35 5th on the long Black 12k course with 470 metres of climb in 89.07mins, Hamish Rogers M16 3rd in 56.39mins and Harrison McCartney M14 5th in 57.16mins on the Blue 6.6k course with 245 metres of climb, Bruce Bryant M55 5th on the Short Blue 5.4k course with 220 metres of climb in 58.34mins. Julie Emmerson W16 was the top club runner on the day and came 1st on the Green 4.5k course with 170 metres of climb in 42.12mins.

Congratulations are also due to Julie as she has been selected to represent Great Britain in the European Youth Orienteering Championships to be held in June at Bugeat in France.

Phil Kirk organised the Charlecote Park event and introduced a maze to add interest to the courses. Several newcomers took part including the 1st Wellesbourne Scouts. First timers Susanna Brown and Rachel Hawkins won the Yellow 2k course in 20.22mins and scout Matt Woodhouse came 2nd in 22.01mins ahead of younger brother Dan Woodhouse 25.20mins. Club members took the first three places on the Orange 3.2k course: Tom Lea M18 22.34mins, Joshua Jelley M16 24.15mins and Suzanne Humphries W45 25.03mins. Only seconds separated the top competitors on the Green 4.2k course as Chris McCartney M40 was 1st in 22.25mins, John Embrey M50, Harlequins Club, 22.43mins and 3rd Harrison McCartney M14 22.57mins.

This weekend many club members will be competing in the British Orienteering Championships which will be held in the Lake District. The individual championship will be held in Eskdale and the Relay Championship near Kendal.

1st May 2012