MV Summer Series evening at Ashtead

4th and final event in our 4-part summer series. App-based (MapRun) low-key evening orienteering event suitable for newcomers, improvers and more experienced orienteers.

Entry: Racesignup.co.uk. £3.50 seniors (£5.50 if not British Orienteering members), £2 juniors (£3 if not BOF members), or £4 for pairs/groups/families

https://racesignup.co.uk/ashtead-park-summer-series-2025

Meeting point and Après-O: Registration in the beer garden of The Leg of Mutton and Cauliflower, 48 The St, Ashtead, KT21 1AZ.

https://legofmuttonandcauliflower.co.uk

You will be able to leave your bags during your run. We encourage you to make use of the pub’s food and refreshments for a social after, as they are providing us space for free. There will be a group photo soon after the last runner returns, and a trophy presentation.

Getting there: The pub is 1.1km from Ashtead railway station. The pub has a small car park or use nearby parking e.g. off Grove Road, or in the Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall car park across the busy A24.

Courses:

1. For beginners/newcomers: a simple (“yellow” standard) ~3km linear course, with 10 controls. There are several minor road crossings – those under 16 must be accompanied at all times.
2. For the experienced or adventurous: 1-hour score.
   • “Score” means there is no set course. Your map will show several controls, you choose which and how many to visit. You get points for each control you do visit and lose points if you take more than an hour. Points per control is the control number rounded down to the nearest multiple of 10. E.g. control “33” will score 30 points, and control “29” will score 20 points.
   • Penalty if over 60 minutes: 30 points per minute or part minute.
   • All those tied on scores will receive finishing positions based on the least distance run according to MapRun.

Starts: from 18:30 to 19:30. Courses close 20:40. Start and finish at the back of the pub.

Format: exclusively on the MapRun app – the app ‘beeps’ when you visit a control site. No physical controls located in the park and dibbers will not be used. This means using a smartphone with the MapRun app (latest is version 7), or load the MapRunG app onto a compatible Garmin watch. Details of how orienteering works with this app are here. You will download the course to the app ideally before you arrive: click on ‘Select Event’, and follow the menu path UK > Mole Valley > 2025 Summer Series. The course will not be visible on your phone until you receive the PIN number at the start. You upload your result when you finish. The full procedure will be explained at Registration.

Map: A4 1:7500 scale waterproof orienteering map. Example (blank) map at registration. We can explain map colours and symbols to newcomers. No separate control descriptions – they are printed on the map.

Terrain: Mixed parkland with extensive path network and urban. Full leg cover is not required.

Results: provisional live on the app and final on mvoc.org soon after the event. Rank on the score class contributes to summer series league points.

Event official: Organised and planned by Robert McCaffrey, rob@trionium.com.

Safety notes based on the event risk assessment:

1. All courses cross minor roads: watch out for traffic and take care crossing these roads. For parents/guardians of under 16s: these minor roads do not have significant amounts of traffic, but may not have good visibility, and some traffic will be moving at the speed limit. We recommend all children are shadowed by their parent/guardian.
2. You will encounter trip hazards on all courses, including woodland paths/trails, such as tree roots and uneven ground, kerbs; please take care.
3. The weather may be very warm. Please arrive fully hydrated. We recommend you carry water with you. Water available in the pub.
4. The paths/trails under tree canopy may become darker towards the end of the event, so extra care should be taken in such circumstances. Sunset is at 20.53 whereas courses close at 20:40.
5. Courses suitable for shorts. You may choose routes with longer vegetation, with small risk of nettle sting / bramble scratch.
6. You may encounter litter which could include unsafe objects, please take care.
7. Ponds shall not be entered; they could be sticky mud this time of year.
8. Please check for and remove ticks after your run particularly if you wore shorts.
9. The event area is shared with dog walkers, fishermen, cyclists and horse riders. Please give them a wide berth and slow down, and alert in advance if approaching from behind.
10. The emergency phone number is printed on your map should you require assistance. If you are not carrying a mobile, shout or use a whistle to summon help.
11. The event includes a public park; there are stranger danger risks. We recommend all children are shadowed by their parent/guardian.
12. Please confidentially disclose existing medical conditions that the organiser should be aware of to the registration team.
13. Safety bearing: North to the A24, then head to the pub.
14. All competitors must report back to the MV team at the pub, even if you wish to retire, so that everyone is accounted for. If injury prevents you from returning to Registration, please phone the emergency number printed on the map by 8.30pm, to avoid the need for a search party and to enable help to be provided if necessary.

Nearest Hospital: Epsom Hospital, Dorking Road, Epsom, KT18 7EG.