19 February 2012
This was my first visit to Haytor – I don’t know why but we have never been there before.
Not the fastest of trips down – travelling from Dorset is never fast – but on arrival we were straight into our car park right beside the start. Nearly decided to stay in the car when I got out and felt the wind – we were just thankful it was a nice warm dry day!
Then things got better – a nice warm ballroom – indoor loos (although you would not want to be too big to squeeze into the gents) and drink and food on hand. Not what we are used to and I actually had to take some clothes off which for me is a miracle. The next problem was that to warm up meant going outside.
The 10 minutes at the start was freezing – it is always difficult for me to keep warm even with two layers on – as I know that once I start running I will be warm – so plenty of jogging around the start area.
My run until control 6 was good and then I might as well have stayed in the ballroom in the warmth. There are some days when it is better not too ask what went wrong and this was certainly one of them. I think it is called losing one’s brain.
We had nearly forty runners in the event which was a fantastic turnout and all age groups and courses were covered.
Results were coming into the ballroom at regular intervals and it was certainly close for us – the whole morning we seemed to be getting closer and closer to SBOC until eventually we were 20 points behind and then it did not change again – so that was the final result.
The four juniors – Katie Reynolds, Katherine Hodge, Fraser Smith and Rebecca Whittingham – deserve special mention as they all were counters. Also Fraser – along with Kirsty Staunton – scored a perfect 100 points for being 1st. Well done!
I must admit that I am not quite sure whether to be upset that we were beaten or pleased that we will not have to travel so far for the final – rather mixed thoughts there as I am rather competitive.
Thanks must go to Devon for putting on an excellent day and organising everything so well. Also to you all for turning up and running and representing WIM.
Sorry I did not take any photos – I had my camera but it was rather nice and warm inside.
Finally I think we will have to put Haytor on our list of places to visit on non orienteering days to look at the area more.
Chris Branford
