Directions / Parking

The carpark is on New Road between Walters Ash and Lacey Green.
If approaching from the South on the A4010, turn right at Bradenham and head uphill for 1 mile to the T junction, turn left and after 1/2 a mile pass the Gate Guardians of a Spitfire and a Hurricane, then take the 2nd left into the North end of the Carpark.
If approaching from the North on the A4010, after Princes Risborough take the first left up Woodway and pass through Lacey Green. After a further 3/4 of a mile the carpark will be on your right.

Terrain Description

Typical Chiltern woodland, steep in places, with generally runnable terrain and good path network. The area contains some ponds and the usual selection of depressions both large and small. There are numerous log stacks which are to be avoided, as work is ongoing, not all of these will be mapped.

The Map

1:7,500, with 5m contours. Size A3.

Map updated Autumn / Winter 2020 to ISOM 2017-2 by Mark Thompson.

Control Descriptions are on the map ONLY.

Start Times

THERE WILL BE NO ENTRY ON THE DAY. You must pre-enter, via Fabian4 - just click on the Fabian4 logo at the top of this page.

Starts will be from 10.15 to 11.45am. It is about 500m from the car park to the Start.

The route to the start will be tapped and crosses 1 minor road, young people must be accompanied.

IMPORTANT: Courses close at 1pm. You must report to the download tent by 1pm latest, even if you retire or have not finished. The controls will be collected from 13.00.

Courses

Subject to final planning:
YELLOW: 1.8km, 7 controls, 50m climb. Suitable for juniors with some experience or for supervised newcomers, and for family groups.
ORANGE: 2.8km (expect to go 3.5km), 10 controls, 90m climb. Suitable for adult beginners and experienced juniors.
RED: 4.6km (expect 6km), 12 controls, 125m climb. Longer, but less challenging navigationally. Ideal for runners new to orienteering. You still need to be able to read a map, but it is more like an unmarked trail race.
LIGHT GREEN: 3.4km, 12 controls, 90m climb. More challenging; for improvers and those with a bit of experience. Most controls away from paths and more route choices.
GREEN: 4.5km, 12 controls, 125m climb. Most challenging. Only for those with experience at orienteering. More navigation and longer legs between controls.

If you're a runner trying orienteering for the first time, the Red course is ideal - you will probably run 7 to 8km doing it; if that is too much, then Orange might be more suitable, or Light Green if you are confident about your navigation.
For family groups, we recommend the Orange course, or Yellow if you want something shorter.
For juniors, Yellow is a good course, though juniors new to the sport should be accompanied.

No courses cross any public roads.

Course lengths are straight line distances between the control points. You can expect to run around 20% more than the stated distances!

Note that Bradenham Woods are a challenging area for orienteering - it was used for the British Middle Distance Championships just a few years ago. So do not overestimate your skills - it's better to err on the side of caution, and come away ready for a bigger challenge next time, than to find yourself frustrated and lost.

How To Enter

Pre-entry only through Fabian4 - just click on the Fabian4 logo at the top of this page. There will be no entry on the day, and we are limiting entry numbers to 160 for this event - so do not delay entering.

You don't have to be a member of an orienteering club to enter this event. On Fabian4, just show your club name as IND (for Independent)

Small family or other groups are welcome, but please enter only the Yellow, Orange or Red courses. Enter as a senior. Change the name if you wish, for example to Jones Family.

Entry Cost

Pre-entries up to and including Sunday 9th January - BOF members £5, non-members and family groups £7, Juniors & Students £2
Later entries (assuming spaces are still available) - BOF members £6, non-members and family groups £8, Juniors & Students £3
Timing chip hire £1 (essential if you do not own one). Lost timing chips charged at £65.

Facilities

Toilets

No drinks or food available, please bring your own.

Further Information

If you need advice or help in entering via Fabian4, this document may help. If you do find yourself stuck, then email Alun, or phone him on 07967 605307
Cancellation
Click here to read our policy on refunds if you have to cancel because you are required to isolate for COVID reasons

Officials

Organiser: Chris Poole    email organiser      07851184816

Helping

TVOC members, PLEASE sign up to help.

Helpers