MV Summer Series evening at Ashtead

4th event in our 7-part summer series (subsequent event Wed 8 July, Epsom). App-based (MapRun) low-key evening orienteering event suitable for newcomers, improvers and more experienced orienteers.

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 in the rear beer garden of The Woodman, 238 Barnett Wood Lane, Ashtead, KT21 2DA – 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. There will be a group photo soon after the last runner returns.

Getting there: The pub is ~5-minute walk from Ashtead railway station. The pub has a car park to the rear or use nearby on-street parking.

Newcomers: we recommend watching this 5 minute video on youtube to introduce the sport and the map. At the event, we will be happy to provide further introduction and instruction.

Courses:

For both courses, under 16s are recommended to be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

1. For beginners/newcomers: a simple (“yellow” standard) ~3km linear course, with 10 controls. There are no significant road crossings on the course, but participants must take care when crossing any smaller roads.
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 (and rank points) based on the least distance run according to MapRun.

Starts: from 18:30 to 19:30. Courses close 20:40. Start from the corner of the beer garden of the pub (https://what3words.com/pigs.album.rainy). Do not pass the front of the pub before you intend to finish!

Format: This event will exclusively use the maprun app to record participation – i.e. you will go around the course with either a phone with the maprun app, or if you have a garmin-compatible watch, using the Garmin watch maprun app. The app ‘beeps’ when you visit a control site. No physical controls; dibbers will not be used.

If you have not used maprun before, we recommend watching this 2 minute video on youtube first. To download the phone app, choose android phones or apple phones.

If you want to use MapRun on a compatible Garmin watch – to avoid taking your phone around with you – please ensure you still have MapRun installed on your phone. This will enable you to start without the PIN. Instructions for the garmin watch app are here

Please download the app before arriving and ideally the course too. To download the course in the app: click on ‘Select Event’, select the third icon along the top (folder) and follow the folder 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 can be explained at Assembly/the start.

Map: A4 1:10,000 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. Due to the nature of the mapping, not all paths or ponds are shown.

Terrain: The Score course will take in some of Ashtead’s suburban streets, and the footpaths and bridleways of Ashtead Common, a National Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest, as well as parts of Epsom Common and the Wells.

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 7 events counts towards your total score.

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 may be moving at the speed limit. We recommend all children under 16 are shadowed by their parent/guardian. Particular care must be taken when crossing the road in front of the pub – please take your time to cross safely.
2. You must only cross the railway line at the designated crossing points – any crossing of the railway line at any other point (including the level crossing next to Ashtead Station) will result in disqualification!
3. You will encounter trip hazards on all courses, including woodland paths/trails, such as tree roots and uneven ground, as well as kerbs and uneven footpaths; please take care.
4. The weather may be very warm. Please arrive fully hydrated. We recommend you carry water with you. Water available in the pub.
5. 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 21.20 whereas courses close at 20:40.
6. Full leg cover is strongly recommended for the score course – some routes/control choices will encounter longer vegetation, with certainty of nettle sting / bramble scratch.
7. You may encounter litter which could include unsafe objects, please take care
8. Ponds shall not be entered; there could be sticky mud this time of year.
9. Please check for and remove ticks after your run.
10. The event area is shared with dog walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Please give them a wide berth and slow down, and alert in advance if approaching from behind.
11. 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.
12. The event includes a public park; there are stranger danger risks. We recommend all children are shadowed by their parent/guardian.
13. Please confidentially disclose existing medical conditions that the organiser should be aware of to the registration team.
14. Safety bearing: South off the common, over one of the designated safe crossing points, then arrive on Craddocks Avenue/Barnet Wood Lane, then head to the pub.
15. 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.
16. Electric fencing is present: Competitors are obliged to cross electric fences only at crossing places or gates.
17. Cows will be present on the course: Cows are selected for their docility, and will be very unlikely to react to passing runners. However, participants are advised to avoid cows all the same.

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