Published 18th June 2014

The woods in the Burbage Valley are being felled this autumn, just as they have become mature enough to run through.

Given late notice this had to be a low key event – I didn’t have long to plan it. Nonetheless, despite being a little more effort, it seemed as if some form of loops race was likely to suit the layout of the area best, and I also feel it would be nice to get the chance to do more head to head racing.

The courses were drafted on Sunday but during a trip round the woods on Monday I realised I had to move a lot of controls and change quite a number of legs – there is a lot more windblown now than three years ago and the vegetation shown on the map is now redundant. Although tough it is still a good area, particularly if you know there is always a route through the fallen trees somewhere.

Great to have 12 or so people in the mass start, one or two of a decent pedigree. Indeed old man Adams, strictly against the advice of his physio, came through in the lead on the first loop trailed by Jo Taunton of NOC. On the parallel loop Alex Rothman was leading chased by Mikey Adams and Rachael Rothman but Alex and Mikey had lost a little time early on. Next to appear from the woods was a slightly confuddled Nick Lightfoot who had been mixing legs from each of the two courses, and a rather more composed Jenny Peel. Colin Smith went through at some point but I forgot to record it, then Kim Baxter who had lost time and Louise Adams, Neil Sprot and Peter Guillame.

As the “gaffle unwound” the order changed a little – Mikey Adams stormed through passing his Dad on the opposite loop to take the win Joe Taunton was second, putting on a late burst to retain his credibility against the terminally injured M50, with Alex Rothman also pipping Charlie for 3^rd. After a gap Rachel Elder appeared to win the Women’s race comfortably and then Colin Smith and Kim Baxter who had caught up some time.”

Shame no-one attempted the 9km variant but it did mean that, thanks to some swift control collecting by Joe, Colin and Kim, we were able to escape the midges before they had entirely eaten through my ankles.

Many thanks to everyone for coming  and apologies for the logistical SNAFUS - thanks to Wendy for the pen and Peter Guillame for the midge repellent. A certain air of confusion really is Situation Normal whenever I organise something.

Richard Baxter

Times now they are finally downloaded...

1 Loop
  1  Peter Tryner       SYO M40  27:35 
  2  Nicholas Lightfoot SYO M50  31:28 
  3  Peter Gorvett      SYO M65  43:06 
  4  Peter Guillaume    SYO M65  43:22 
  5  Neil Sprot         SYO M60  44:18 
  6  Brian Shaw         SYO M70  45:47 
  7  Pauline Tryner     SYO W40  52:42 
  8  Henry Marston      SYO M65  60:55

2 Loops  
  1  Michael Adams      SYO M18  51:14 
  2  Joe Taunton        NOC M21  52:00 
  3  Alex Rothman       SYO M35  52:39 
  4  Rachael Rothman    SYO W21  57:59 
  5  Mark Chapman       SYO M45  63:09 
  6  Colin Smith        SYO M45  63:22 
  7  Sheila Sprot       SYO W60  63:29 
  8  Kim Baxter         SYO W35  63:55 
  9  Louise Adams       SYO W16  63:56 
 10  Dominic Dakin      SYO M14  69:24 
 11  Tim Wiegand        SYO M45  81:05 
 ??  Wendy Billing      SYO W50 ???:??

Published 13th June 2014

The 8 events in the 2013-2014 league are over. Thank you to all the SYO helpers, pupils, parents and teachers who have supported the league this year through some wild weather. Without you there would be no schools league. It has been rewarding seeing many competitors grow in confidence & independence since the first race last September.  We look forward to welcoming you back next school year.

Presentations will be made at the Graves Park YHOA Schools Championships Event, Saturday 28^th June to the schools and competitors named below.

School Team League

Congratulations to the following schools on winning the team competition after all 8 events in this year’s league. The best 3 scores per school at each event were calculated then totalled across all 8 events.

Year 4 Girls	Hunters Bar	Year 4 Boys	Hunters Bar
Year 5 Girls	Dore Primary	Year 5 Girls	Totley All Saints
Year 6 Girls	Dore Primary	Year 6 Boys	Totley All Saints

Individual League

The 5 best scores from the 8 events were totalled for the individual league from those who scored in 3 or more events. Congratulations go to you all. Well done!

Read more …

Published 3rd June 2014

The British Championships were run in Northumberland last weekend, with two very contrasting days' orienteering; physical moor and forest for the individual and runnable open mining spoil-heap terrain for the relays. SYO had a successful weekend.

Congratulations to our new British Champions, Euan Tryner in M10, Aidan Smith in M20E, Kim Baxter in W35 and Jenny Peel in W45.

Silver medals went to Jenny Johnson (W35), Lucy Wiegand (W45) and Dave Peel (M45); bronze medals to Pippa Dakin (W16) and Peter Gorvett (M65).

In the relays, SYO was first in M40 (Colin Smith, David Peel, Nick Barrable), second in the Woman’s Premier (Kim Baxter, Laura Daniel, Rachael Rothman) W18 (Louise Adams, Yasmin Field, Pippa Dakin), M18 (Michael Adams, Jake Field, Dane Blomquist) and 3rd in W40 (Lucy Wiegand, Pauline Tryner, Jenny Peel).

Photo © Wendy Carlyle.