Wandsworth Common Night-O, Tuesday 26th November

The second race of South London Orienteers’ 2024-2025 Night series takes place on Wandsworth Common, south-west London, on Tuesday 26th November 2024.

Race Centre

The race will be based at The Hope, SW17 7EG. The pub serves great food and drink, and there will be the usual opportunity to revisit route choices with other runners. Kit can be left while you run (at your own risk).

Note that due to online entry (see below), you do not need to come to The Hope before your run if you choose – you can go directly to the start. However you must come back to the pub to download.

Whistles are mandatory – they can be borrowed from registration.

Location	Wandsworth Common
Address	The Hope, SW17 7EG
Latitude/longitude	51.4462, -0.1654
OS grid reference	TQ275735
Maps	Google Maps, OpenStreetMap

Getting There

The pub is located right next to Wandsworth Common train station with regular South Western Rail services from Victoria and London Bridge via Clapham Junction. The pub is also a 15 minute walk from Balham tube station on the Northern line. See the TFL website for details.

The 319 and G1 buses stop right outside the pub. There are plenty of cycle rack spaces available next to the pub on Bellevue Road.

The start is 300m from the pub in the SE corner of the park. Follow red and white tapes to get there along Bellevue Road and please use the pedestrian crossing.

Race Details & Entry

The entry fee is £5 for SLOW members, students and juniors; £7 for others. The races use both SIAC contactless and SI electronic punching; SIAC cards are available to hire for those who do not have their own for £2. A small number of headlamps are also available to borrow for free but you need to e-mail the organiser in advance of each race to reserve one.

Entries opening soon at SIEntries. All entries, including on the day, will be online. Entries will stay open until 19:25 on the day of the event subject to map availability.

Start Times: 18:15 – 19:30

Courses close 20:30 – you must return to the pub by this time, even if you have not completed the course.

Two courses are offered:

• Long: 4.7km straight line (optimal route approx. 6km), moderately challenging
• Short: 2.6km straight line (optimal route approx. 3.4km), moderately challenging

Results will be available on the SLOW website shortly after the event.

Terrain

Wandsworth Common is a delightful gem in South-West London, yet it hasn’t hosted a SLOW event since 2013. The park offers varied terrain of open land, wooded sections, and good running paths. The area is segmented by several railway lines.

The Long course has a timed-out crossing (60 seconds) on Windmill Road twice. Please use the pedestrian refuge to cross. Trinity Road (A214) is out of bounds; please use the pedestrian underpass marked on the map. Under 16s should be supervised by an adult on the Long course. The Short course does not have any road crossings – under 16s can run by themselves.

Please take care and slow down on the wooden walkways round the ponds as these may be slippery. Wandsworth Common is open to the public in the evening – expect runners, pedestrians, and dog walkers. Please give way to other park users. The main roads and some bigger paths are lit, but away from these it will be very dark. Bright clothing is advised.

All competitors take part at their own risk.

Additional Information

This event can’t happen without volunteer effort on the night. If you can lend a hand on the start, or with collecting controls, it is greatly appreciated – please get in touch. Everyone who helps will be able to run – and get a free entry! The rota and roles can be found on our Helpers Required! page.

Results will be available on the SLOW website shortly after the event.

Photos may be taken at the event.