Follow this link for an introduction to MapRun Navigation Challenges.

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STOP PRESS

During the current wet weather, it's become rather difficult to get to some of the control sites.  (Standing water, slippery slopes, etc.)  Phill Batts has therefore devised "winter versions" of the courses.  See below.

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Location

The Start is south-west of the old railway line (now a bridleway) between Middleton St. George and Darlington.

Click on the link to see a map.  You can zoom in (and, optionally, switch to Satellite mode) to see the details of the final approach to the event.  You can also get directions if you put in your starting location.

You should be able to park at either end of the lane that leads from Sadberge Road to where the old railway line passes under the A67.  See this satellite image.

• P1 – There is space for one or two cars at the end of the lane where the old railway line passes under the A67.
• P2 – There is rather more space at the other end of the lane, beside Sadberge Road.
• P3 – If you can't park at either end of the lane, you should be able to park at the side of Sadberge Road near where the old railway line crosses it.

There is a riding stables at the end of the lane, so if you're parking on the lane please make sure that you leave plenty of space for horse boxes to get past.

From the underpass where the old railway line passes under the A67, walk (or jog) north-west along the old railway line.  After 700m you'll go under some pipelines.  Under the pipelines, turn left off the old railway line and follow a small path up the bank.  If you're using your smartphone, the MapRunF app will show you a 'red beetle trail' leading to the Start.  (After you pass through the Start the app will stop showiing your location!)

Terrain

The competition area is a new forest plantation with blocks of semi-mature trees. There is a complex path network, and the area is bisceted by an old railway line.  There is some contour detail, especially around the numerous ponds.

Please note that:-

• The area has been used for cattle grazing, and the rough open areas are covered in hoof prints and wheel ruts.
• The routes through the hedge/stream combinations are steep and deep.
• The fight on either side of the old railway line is passable in places but these are not mapped.  The more obvious crossings are shown on the map.  The one under the pipelines is difficult to see but it is there!

Courses

In the MapRunF app, Select Event and look for your preferred course (see below) under UK / County Durham / Darlington / South Burdon VOC.

There are four courses.  Please note that this area cannot support a high level of navigational difficulty, so the Long, Medium and Short courses are all TD3 (i.e. similar to an Orange colour coded course).  The Beginners course is TD2 (i.e. similar to a Yellow colour coded course).

Course	Length	Climb	Controls
Long	7.8 km	50m	21	Map
Medium	5.7 km	40m	17	Map
Short	4.1 km	30m	14	Map
Beginners	2.7 km	15m	12	Map

Control descriptions

Winter versions of the courses

Course	Length	Climb	Controls
Long	7.8 km	50m	21	Map
Medium	5.7 km	40m	17	Map
Short	4.2 km	30m	14	Map
Very Short	3.0 km	30m	13	Map

Paper maps

If you'd prefer to use a paper map rather than the one on your smartphone (which is going to be quite small and can be tricky to see in bright sunlight) you can use the link below to download a PDF copy of the map and print it off at home.  If you don't have a suitable printer, Lorraine Batts is offering a map printing service.

Results

You can access the results via the MapRun Console.  Open the menu (three horizontal lines at the top left hand corner of the window), select Leader Board and then filter by South Burdon.

Facilities

There are no public toilets near the Start.  Please make your own arrangements.  There are customer toilets in the Morton Park Morrisons.

Organiser

Caroline Mackenzie

Planner

Phill Batts

Safety

Please ensure you use a buddy system so that someone knows when you should return.

Please be courteous to members of the public in the competition area.

Remember to comply with Government guidance on social distancing.  For one thing, permission to continue to organise these callenges depends on participants being clearly seen to be following the coronavirus rules.  Also, from your own point of view, it's not worth risking catching Covid-19 just to save a few seconds on a navigation challenge.

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