Four Mole Valley juniors paired up with two Saxon Orienteers juniors to form an alliance team for the 6-person national team event, the Peter Palmer relay. From the MV side we had Ralph, Hugh, Finlay and Ben, and from Saxons we had Alice and Harriet (the team has to comprise a minimum of 2 girls). The event starts in the dark at 5am, with the first two competitors definitely needing to navigate with headlamps, before dawn breaks and runners have daylight.
The team did brilliantly – no mispunches, all got round, and – as a combined team from two ‘small clubs’ – won the Norwich Orienteering Club Anniversary Trophy. Standout runs from Ralph (1st leg, in the dark, coming in 3rd place) and Finlay for his first proper orienteering race following some trainings this summer and him getting hooked on our summer series of maprun events. Well done all! And we will still be eligible for a few years, so roll on next year!
Well done to South Yorkshire Orienteers who won the Peter Palmer trophy, and thanks to Southdowns Orienteers for hosting and organising the event – including last minute event relocation. Photos courtesey Rob Lines. Full results at Relay Results – Peter Palmer Relays – 13 Sep 2026
