MV Summer Series evening at The Nower

3rd event in our 6-part summer series (subsequent event Thu 2 July, Ashtead). App-based (MapRun) low-key evening orienteering event suitable for newcomers, improvers and more experienced orienteers.

Final details are now available here… https://mvoc.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/The-Nower-World-Cup-2026-—-Final-Details-20260616.pdf

Please note that it is forecast to be 28degC at 18:00 tomorrow. We are still going ahead as the Nower is largely shaded, but please make sure that you arrive well hydrated and consider carrying water during the run.

Entry: Racesignup.co.uk. Free for MV members. For non-MV members: £3.50 seniors (£5.50 if not British Orienteering members), £2 juniors (£3 if not BOF members)

Meeting point and Après-O: Registration at The Falkland Arms, 60 Falkland Rd, Dorking RH4 3AD – map. 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.

Getting there: The pub is ~30-minute walk from Dorking Main/Deepdene railway stations. Parking on nearby streets.

Courses:

1. For beginners/newcomers: a simple (“yellow” standard) ~2.2km linear course, with 10 controls. No road crossings, so suitable for juniors.
2. For the experienced or adventurous: 1-hour score with a World Cup 2026 theme. “Score” means there is no set course — your map will show around 30 controls, you choose which and how many to visit, and you lose points if you take more than an hour.This event uses a custom progressive scoring system that mirrors the real World Cup bracket. Controls are organised into a group stage and knockout rounds (quarter-finals, semi-finals and a Final). Knockout controls are worth more points, but only score if you have qualified for them by visiting enough controls from the relevant group — so route choice is about more than just distance.Full scoring rules, points values and qualification thresholds will be published in the final details before the event.

Starts: from 18:30 to 19:30. Courses close 20:40. Start across the road from 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 > 2026 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 1:5,000 scale waterproof orienteering map, map updated 2026 by Ian Roberts. 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: The Nower offers a compact mix of fast open grassland and runnable woodland on a steep-sided ridge, with an intricate path network and pockets of more technical contour and vegetation detail to keep you honest.

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.

Series information: Best 4 of 6 events counts towards your total score.

Event official: Organised and planned by Dan Sullivan, dansullivan2001@gmail.com.

Safety notes based on the event risk assessment:

1. The Yellow Linear course does not cross any road. The Score courses require crossing a small lane passing through the map area — please stop, look both ways, and cross with care.
2. The terrain is hilly and wooded throughout. All courses include uneven ground, woodland paths, tree roots and steep slopes; please take care, especially on descents.
3. The area is woodland and heathland and ticks are present. Please check yourself for ticks after your run. If you develop a bull’s-eye rash or flu-like symptoms in the days following the event, seek medical advice.
4. There is vegetation on parts of the courses including bracken and rough undergrowth. Scratches and stings are possible. Long socks are recommended.
5. The area is used by walkers, dog walkers and horse riders. Please be considerate to other users, especially when passing from behind on narrow paths.
6. The weather will be hot. Please arrive well hydrated; we recommend you carry water with you. Re-hydrate at the pub.
7. Safety bearing: if you become disorientated, head East until you reach the open grass area where a member of the team will be stationed at the Start/Finish.
8. All competitors must report back to Download in the pub, even if you wish to retire, so that everyone is accounted for. If injury prevents you from returning, please phone the emergency number printed on your map before the course closing time, to avoid the need for a search party and to enable help to be provided if necessary.

Nearest Hospitals: Epsom Hospital, Dorking Road, Epsom, KT18 7EG and East Surrey Hospital, Canada Avenue, Redhill, RH1 5RH