Ealing Street-O, Tuesday 6 December

Come along to the third Street Orienteering Race in the 2022-23 series in Ealing on Tuesday 6 December. The December race is always a great one as you can see the neighbourhood festive lights and decorations! All are welcome – bring along your friends and family. Don’t worry if you are a complete beginner to orienteering – street orienteering is simple and a lot of fun.

If you plan on coming, please fill in the Google Form.

Race HQ

Our venue is The Wheatsheaf. You can leave your bags here (items left at your own risk).

The pub is very easy to get to by public transport. It is only a 5 minute walk from Ealing Broadway (National Rail, Central, District, Elizabeth lines). The pub is also a 12 minute walk from North Ealing station (Piccadilly Line). There are also many bus routes passing near by. See the TFL website to plan your journey.

If you can, do stay for some food and drink and post-race chat.

LocationEaling
AddressThe Wheatsheaf, 41 Haven Lane, W5 2HZ
Latitude/longitude51.5171, -0.2998
OS grid referenceTQ180811
MapsGoogle Maps, OpenStreetMap

what3words ///light.maker.cage

Race Details

Entry fee is £2 for SLOW and LOK members, students and juniors and £4 for others. You will get a specially produced street map showing the control points you need to find. You will need a timing chip – so bring your own SI/SIAC if you have one, otherwise you can hire one for £1.

Groups or pairs are welcome. Make as any entries as you want maps (e.g. if you are running in a pair and want a map each then make 2 entries).

If you’re not a SLOW member, please consider joining.

For the event, you’ll need to bring running gear, a watch or timepiece to keep track of time, and a pen to fill in the answers on the cluesheet. It will be dark and so it is advised to wear hi-visibility clothing and to bring a headtorch or light to make map reading easier. A compass is not essential!

Like all our Street-Os, this a public race – all are welcome. You will need fill in the Google Form. Please aim to do this at least a week before the event so we can print the correct number of maps. You’ll just need to pay on the day.

RegistrationBetween 1815 and 1915
Start TimesBetween 1815 and 1930

Format

We’ll be using the same ‘score’ format as previous years, where you have 60 minutes to collect as many points as possible. Using the map provided, find controls in whichever order you like, collecting 10 points for each control starting with a 1, 20 points for each starting with a 2 and so on. As the controls are worth differing points, there are some tactics in deciding where to go. If you’re late, the penalty is 1 penalty point for every 2 seconds late back (so you’ll lose 30 points if you are a minute late back etc.). This guide provides general information about street orienteering.

1. Register via the Google Form and come along on-the-day to pay and to collect your timing chip (if necessary).

2. On the day at the start, the start official will give you the map and clue sheet. Write down your name on the clue sheet. When you are ready to start, “dib” your timing chip to start your time and your 60 minute countdown.

3. Find controls in whichever order you like. At each location you’ll fill in the answer to the question on the clue sheet to prove that you’ve been there.

4. Return to the finish and “dib” the finish box to stop your time. Come back within 60 minutes to avoid time penalties. If you don’t want to be out for a full 60 minutes you can come back earlier.

5. Report back to the registration desk after you’ve finished and hand in your clue sheet to be marked. You can collect this after it has been marked and score recorded. Full final results will be posted on the website as soon as possible.

Some typical clues that you’ll encounter

All competitors take part at their own risk, and because of our insurance any under-16s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

If you have any questions, do ask them on the SLOW Facebook or email the organiser Ralph on Also get in touch with Ralph if you can help on-the-day.