Wandsworth Common Night-O, Tuesday 24th November
The second race of South London Orienteers’ 2026-2027 Night series takes place on Wandsworth Common, south-west London, on Tuesday 24th November 2026.
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.
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.
Race Details & Entry
The entry fee is £6 for SLOW members, students and juniors; £8 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 via 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: ~5.0km straight line (optimal route approx. 6km), moderately challenging
- Short: ~2.5km straight line (optimal route approx. 3.5km), 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. The park offers varied terrain of open land, wooded sections, and good running paths. The area is segmented by several railway lines.
At this stage neither the Short nor Long course is planned to cross any roads, therefore 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.
Insurance Cover and Additional Information
All competitors take part at their own risk. Participants who are not members of British Orienteering are not covered by British Orienteering’s public liability insurance. By entering this event, I acknowledge that I am taking part at my own risk. For example, if you were to accidentally injure a member of the public or damage property during the event, you would not be covered.
If you are not yet a member, you can join now for 2027. Please see British Orienteering, or drop us an email with any queries.
Results will be available on the SLOW website shortly after the event.
Photographs may be taken during the event.
Helping on the Night
This event can’t happen without volunteer effort on the night. If you can lend a hand it is greatly appreciated – please get in touch with Simon – and you will receive a code for a free entry. Available jobs include helping at the start, meet & greet, download and control collection.
