Bruce writes...
Some thank yous. First of all to Rachel and Liam Drew for the comprehensive map update that allowed such an event to take place at this location. Then Gavin Scott, Ian Holden and Michael Wood provided valuable assistance in the event preparation. Additional event day help was supplied by Jeanette Riddle, Amber Riddle, Alexandra Riddle, Andrew Riddle, Lynette Porter, Jill Dalton, Simon Rea and Luis Slyfield.
I added a bonus point component to the score event to add an extra element to the planning strategy. While I suspect some chose to ignore this, other participants seem to have put some focus on completing a certain “line” to attain some extra points. I later learnt of some interesting route choices that, as a planner, I had never considered. The tunnel itself also added an element of interest and competitors can count themselves fortunate having a sunny day for the tunnel, with bright ends. The organisers can vouch that on a dull day, avoiding the walls can be a challenge with minimal end light glimmering off the sides 100 metres in.
I also want to acknowledge Ellie Molloy who did exactly the right thing in helping another participant; in doing so, she gave up the opportunity to improve on what was already a very good run.
Speaking to competitors afterwards, it was apparent many had not visited this area previously. I hope everybody enjoyed themselves, including the yellow course entrants who got to see the lower and upper parts of Tane’s Track and the white course runners who went around the lower picnic area.White Course on the 1:5500 park map
Results
Score Course on a 1:10,000 version of the rogaining map. Some good running through the tunnel and on the ridge above.
Time allowance 60min. Max score 100 including bonuses for getting each row of the scorecard filled in. Top row 2pts, next row 3pts, bottom row 5pts.