SLOW’s big annual forest race is called the OK Nuts. We have held the race each year for quite a while. This year the race is returning to where it was first held, in 1977.

OK Nuts Race History

This year’s race is on Sunday November 25th in conjunction with the Southern Championships. It is the last Major Race of 2018 in the UK Calendar. We are putting on the event with Southern Navigators (SN) and aiming to well justify its Level A status.

The event is accessible by train from London, and although we are still in Surrey (the second highest point in the county is in the middle of the map) much of the area sees few visitors. The natural beauty and remoteness make a big impression on visitors, and in any reasonable weather there will striking views to distract competitors.

Usually road development is not good for orienteering but here it has allowed us to join two previously good but separate orienteering areas into one. It is where the last section of the London-Portsmouth road (now known as the A3) had not been “dualled”, and because of the SSSI status the road was put in a tunnel – 60m under our competition area. The main part of the old road was dug out and sandstone taken from the tunnel used to fill it and “return it to nature.” So SN and SLOW could put together the previously separate mapped areas of Hindhead Common (SN) – the venue of, amongst other major races,  the first JK –  and The Devil’s Punch Bowl (SLOW), and offer long courses uninterrupted by traffic.

The most recent past events on Routegadget:

Devil’s Punchbowl 2007

Hindhead Common (part) 2015

Hindhead Common (all) 2013

The Devil’s Punch Bowl is a celebrated landscape feature – the largest spring-sapped valley in England. Its rim is a long curving ridge across the new map, with the ground sloping away on both sides, steeply in places. The area is thus a good match for long distance championship races:

• the long distance profile is physical endurance

• (it) emphasises route choices and navigation in rough, demanding terrain, preferably hilly.

For less experienced adults, or those not wanting to tackle the physicality of a championship course, there are short courses and also a testing 4.5km orange course.

Further information and entries (on the SN website.)

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South London Orienteers organize two hill races in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty near Dorking each year. The winter Box Hill Race sells out very quickly. For a summer (and somewhat greater) challenge, why not run the Surrey Hills Trail Challenge in June?

Surrey Hills Trail Challenge Map.

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The 38th Box Hill Fell Race

Race is SOLD OUT. Entries opened at 00:00 on Thursday 1 November and closed just after 07:30.

Saturday 19th January 2018 at 11.00am

12 kilometres with 520m of ascent under F.R.A. rules.
Records:
54.08 (Andy Greenleaf 2015)
62.26 (Nichola Jackson 2017)

Event Centre

Location	Stepping Stones PH
Address	West Humble RH5 6BS
Latitude/longitude	51.2529, -0.3246
OS grid reference	TQ170518
Maps	Google Maps, OpenStreetMap

The race returns to the Stepping Stones pub in West Humble Street, West Humble RH5 6BS. Grid Reference TQ170517. Collection of race numbers will be there from 9.45 and the prize giving will be around 13:30.

 

RUNNERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE THE PUB CAR PARK AS IT IS VERY SMALL.

LIMITED PARKING (£3 per vehicle) IS AVAILABLE AT RYKER’S, JUST NORTH OF THE BURFORD BRIDGE ROUNDABOUT.

Boxhill & Westhumble station is only 300 metres away and the 465 bus goes along the A24.

Race Details

The race will be over the same course as 2015-2018, with the start/finish area just over the stepping stones over the River Mole, about a kilometre from the pub – possibly our shortest warm-up run ever.

Registration	Between 0945 and 1045
Start Times	Between 1100 and 1330

Special Details

There will be prizes for the leading runners in the usual categories (note that lady veterans have to be over 40) including a team competition with 4 to count.

The National Trust are the landowners for the vast majority of the course and they make two conditions to avoid erosion of the wonderful chalk downland the race uses:

1. THERE IS A LIMIT OF 250 RUNNERS. We will accept more entries than this expecting some no-shows (330 in all). Note that when entries opened last year they sold out in 9 hours.
2. RUNNERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WEAR SPIKES. They cause considerable erosion on steep downhill grass. Your co-operation is requested as significant damage could jeopardise future races.

Entries

Race numbers will not be posted in advance. Numbers can only be collected from registration on the day. Please note that under FRA rules people under 18 are not allowed to run.
Entries will cost £6.00 per runner and can only be made online at fabian4.co.uk. Entries will open on 1st November (and not a minute earlier!)

Postal entries will not be accepted.

Competitors will need to specify an emergency contact and phone number, and will be required to agree to the following statement when entering:

I accept the hazards inherent in fell running and acknowledge that I am entering and running this race at my own risk. I confirm that I am aware of the rules imposed on me by the Race Organiser and that I will comply with them. I confirm that I have read and will comply with, the FRA “Requirements for Runners”. I acknowledge and agree that I am responsible for determining whether I have the skills equipment and fitness to participate in this event. I accept that neither the Race Organiser nor the Fell Runners Association shall be liable to me for any injury, loss or damage of any nature to me or my property arising out of my participation in this race (other than in respect of death or personal injury as a result of their negligence).

The race organiser is Harold Wyber; please contact him via .

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The final event in the SLOW Mountain Bike Score 2018 Series takes place from Holmbury St Mary on Sunday 18th November

	This event is on Facebook. Say you are coming here!
	This event is on Attackpoint. Say you are coming here!

This is a public event – all are welcome. All entries are on the day but we encourage you to please RSVP to the event via Facebook (event link to follow) or email to let us know you are coming so that the correct number of maps are printed.

Event Centre

The event will be based at  The Royal Oak, Felday Glade, Dorking RH5 6PF

To avoid obstructing pub customers, event parking will be in the village hall car park. To get there, continue up Felday Glade for 200m past the pub to where the road terminates.

Toilets are available before and after the event, and lunch is available after the event –  please book ahead to avoid disappointment.

Location	Holmbury St Mary
Address	Royal Oak
Latitude/longitude	51.1888, -0.4139
OS grid reference	TQ109445
Maps	Google Maps, OpenStreetMap

Getting there

• By car, the pub is 15 minutes drive from Dorking (please remember to park at the village hall NOT the pub)
• By public transport, it is a 20min ride from Gomshall station
• Alternatively you can post for lift shares on either the SLOW Members (for SLOW members) or London & Southeast Adventure Racers (public) Facebook pages.

Event Details

The entry fee is £8 for day riders, £7 for BMBO (with their membership cards) and SLOW members, and £6 for under 21s.

The event will be run under British Mountain Bike Orienteering rules, which competitors are advised to read in advance. BMBO also has some helpful MTB Score tips.

All riders must wear a helmet and carry a whistle and first aid kit (a minimum of plasters & dressing). The following equipment is also recommended:

• Mobile Phone
• Waterproof top
• Compass

There will be series prizes for top male/female/pair and veteran male/female/pair scores, based on the best 3 results over the course of the year.

Registration	Between 0930 and 1100
Start Times	Between 1000 and 1100

Event duration is 2 hours and the course will close at 13:00.

Maps will be 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey maps. The event will use Sport Ident electronic punching at all controls, and a limited number of SI dibbers will be available. Please bring your own if you have one.

All competitors take part at their own risk.

Results will be available on the SLOW and BMBO websites shortly after the event.

Planners/Organisers: Julian Hemsted/ Nicki Adams

Image: Julian Hemsted