ORIENTEERING: Have a go at Ryton Pools Country Park

At Rowney Warren, near Bedford OD juniors competed in the local heat for a place in the annual national Yvette Baker Trophy Final. They qualified, coming second scoring 886 points just behind Happy Herts 893 points. The club’s team of 16 girls and boys had some great runs.

There were 3 juniors, from the top 9 scorers who counted, awarded the maximum 100 points. Congratulations to those who won their courses Luke Cherry M16 on the Light Green Boys course, Pippa Smart W18 on the Light Green Girls and young Rupert Powell M12 on the Yellow Boys course. Other scorers on their respective courses were: Felix Lunn M18 99 points, Tabitha Lunn W16 99 points, Eoin Hankinson M16 98 points, Henry Jeffries M14 98 points, Florence Lunn W16 96 points and Lewis Oxtoby M16 96 points.

This regional event also attracted many club members and Elite Orienteer Will Gardner M21 was the fastest runner on the 6.4km course with 190 metres of climb taking only 33.27mins, Alistair Landels M50 was 3rd in 45.38mins, Tom Jeffries M50 7th in 50.28mins, Barry Elkington M60 10th in 52.54mins and Lesley Ross W50 was 1st woman in 56.35mins. On the Blue 5.1km course Bruce Bryant was 4th in 48.18mins. Sheila Carey W70 was 3rd and Peter Carey M75 5th in 41.57mins on the Short Green 3km course.

At the Derwent Valley Orienteering event at Linacre, Elite Orienteer Nathan Lawson M21 was 1st on the longest course, 7.7km with 260 metres of climb, finding all 22 controls in a time of 46.40mins.

Octavian Droobers welcomes newcomers of all abilities to this fun adventure outdoor sport, runners and walkers, of all ages 5 – 85 years, to its next event on Saturday 14th March at Ryton Pools Country Park, Bubbenhall. A variety of course lengths from 1.5km up to 5km around the park have been planned. Families especially enjoy this as it is often likened to a treasure hunt. One advantage is that there is no need to pre-book your place, just turn up anytime between 10am and 12noon, instructions will be given and compasses can be borrowed. In addition every junior has the opportunity of signing up prior to the event to compete for their school in the Octavian Droobers Schools Orienteering Championships, See website for entry details. For full details see www.octavian-droobers.org or tel: 01926 632189.