Chiltern Challenge 2025, Hambleden East

Level B

6th April 2025

Location

Hambleden, near Henley-on-Thames on the south Bucks/Oxfordshire border

Nearest Postcode

RG9 3AS

Grid reference

SU776856

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Entries

Final Details

FINAL DETAILS NOW AVAILABLE: Select “Final Details” link above

UPDATE 12 noon Saturday 5th: Entries will continue to remain open through to Sunday 12 noon, subject to map availability. However entrants from this point on will not appear on the start lists held by the start team. So please remember your start time, and alert the start team at the relevant time.

Hambleden EAST

Unusually, this event will utilise the less-used eastern part of the Hambleden estate. Typically, our events have focused on the central and western areas due to the traditional car park location. Using a different car park, this event will give anyone on short (or medium) courses access to parts of the estate they may not have visited before.

This event will be SIAC-enabled. You MUST punch at the Start. All controls (including the Finish) are set to fly-by mode

Directions / Parking

Outside Hambleden village, nr. Henley-on-Thames on S. Oxfordshire/Bucks border
• OS Grid Reference: SU 776856 (sheet 175)
• Parking off Dairy Lane, signed from A4155, approx. 2 miles N. of Henley-on-Thames

Parking is in a very large field. There is no charge for parking. All facilities (Compass Point, Toilets, Tom’s Catering, SI Collection, Start, Finish, Download, First Aid etc.) are in close proximity to the car park.

The Start will be approximately 900m walk from the car park field. The Finish will be close to and visible from the car park field.

Terrain Description

Classic Chiltern undulating slopes covered in mature beech or mixed deciduous and conifer. Brashings and undergrowth are limited.

The Map

Based on map used for British Relay Championships in 2023.
• Updated in 2024 and 2025 by Mark Thompson (TVOC)
• ISOM 2017
• Scale: All courses will be 1:10:000, other than Very Short Green which will be 1:7,500
• A3
• 5m contours
• Pre-marked, waterproof paper

Control Descriptions are printed on the map. Text AND pictorial descriptions for Yellow, Orange and Red courses. Pictorial descriptions only for other courses.
Separate Control Descriptions will be available in the Start lanes. Yellow, Orange and Red Control Descriptions may need folding to fit in narrow control descripition holders.

Courses

A full range of colour-coded courses (but no White or String courses). Course lengths given below are now final as of 14MAR

Course	Length (km)	Climb (m)	Controls
Black	13.9	570	22	Most challenging. Only for those with experience at orienteering.
Brown	12.3	470	20	Most challenging. Only for those with experience at orienteering.
Short Brown	9.9	415	19	Most challenging. Only for those with experience at orienteering.
Blue	8.0	280	21	Most challenging. Only for those with experience at orienteering.
Short Blue	6.6	240	20	Most challenging. Only for those with experience at orienteering.
Green	5.5	220	14	Most challenging. Only for those with experience at orienteering.
Red	6.4	240	15	Ideal for runners who want a longer, but less-technical course (Orange standard navigation)
Short Green	4.3	120	14	Most challenging. Only for those with experience at orienteering.
Very Short Green	3.4	120	14	Most challenging. Only for those with experience at orienteering.
Light Green	3.9	150	11	Quite challenging; for improvers and those with a bit of experience. Most controls away from paths. Provides some route choices.
Orange	3.5	125	13	Suitable for adult beginners and experienced juniors. Introduces opportunity for route choice.
Yellow	3.1	80	14	Suitable for juniors with some experience or for supervised newcomers, and for family groups.

The Red course is ideal for runners who want a less-technical course (Orange standard navigation)

Start Times

Start times will be between 10:30 and 13:00.

Start Times published on SI Entries (only).

Courses close at 15:00 promptly to allow time for control collection. Please pick an appropriate Start Time if you are running a Black or Brown course.

You will be asked to choose a Start time when you enter the event. Individual Start times can be chosen for all courses other than Red, Orange and Yellow.
For these courses, you can choose a period of time (a "Start block") during which to start.

If you expect to take a long time to complete your course, please start at a time that will enable you to finish well before course close time.

If you are entering the Red, Orange or Yellow course as a pair or family, you will be able to order extra maps during the entry process.

How To Enter

Entries are open through SI Entries. Click on their logo at the top of this web page to enter.

There will be no entry-on-the-day at the event. Simply pre-enter before you travel.

Entry Cost

All courses except Yellow and Orange:
- BOF members £19 / non-members £21
- Juniors & Students £7.50

Yellow and Orange:
- BOF members £10 / non-members £10
- Family groups £10
- Juniors & Students £7.50

Timing chip hire (SIAC): £2 extra. Lost chips charged at £65.

Facilities

The following will be provided:
- Compass Point have confirmed they will attend
- Toilets
- Catering provided by Tom and his usual catering wagon
- First Aid provided by White Star Medical

Dogs

TVOC’s policy is that dogs are not permitted on courses. However, well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome in the car park field and Assembly area.

Please clean up after your dog. Please do not lock your dog in your car when on your run.

Further Information

Cancellation Click here to read our policy on refunds if you or we have to cancel for any reason – for example because you are required to isolate for COVID reasons.

Acknowledgments
We are very grateful to the Culden Faw estate for their permission in allowing this event.

Officials

Organiser: John Dalton (TVOC) email organiser 07767 362805
Planner: Nigel Bunn (TVOC)
Controller: Pete Jones (SN)

Orienteering is an adventure sport. All competitors take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety.

Please check website for last minute cancellation in case of inclement weather. In the event of cancellation some or all of your entry fee may be retained.

The personal data you give will be used by the event organisers & their agents only for the purpose of processing and publishing the event entries and results, for conducting safety checks and to validate British Orienteering insurance cover. Submission of an entry for the event will indicate your acceptance of this procedure.