Saturday Series – Wittenham Clumps
Saturday Series
12th July 2025
Helping
TVOC members – PLEASE click on the link below and sign up to help. The sign-up sheet contains the discount code to use when you enter
Directions / Parking
Parking by kind permission of the Earth Trust. Space is very limited, so please park as close together as practical. Once this area is full, there is additional parking at the public car park further along the road.
Terrain Description
Generally open pasture land, with small wooded areas, streams and interesting contour features from the large Clumps (hills) that give the area its name. Expect to be climbing these hills on your courses!
Courses
The course lengths presented are the straight line distance between controls. In reality, you will run further. How much further depends on your navigation, but this could be up to 20-25% more than the quoted course length depending on the terrain.
Please note the climb when choosing a course.
All course lengths are provisional until courses are finalised.
| Course | Length (km) | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 1.3 | Suitable for young beginners. |
| Yellow | 2.2 | Suitable for juniors with some experience or for supervised newcomers, and for family groups. |
| Orange | 3.1 | Suitable for adult beginners and experienced juniors. Also suitable for family groups. |
| Red | 4.8 | Longer (expect to run more than 5 km), 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. Goes close to the river so not suitable for unaccompanied juniors. |
| Light Green | 3.7 | More challenging; for improvers and those with a bit of experience. Most controls away from paths and more route choices. |
| Score | Ideal for adult beginners. This is an Odds/Evens or Evens/Odds score course. There are two sets of controls, Odd numbered and Even numbered. After the start choose either of the Odd or Even sets and find as many controls as you wish. Then swap to the other set and continue to find controls in that set Then get to the finish within 45 minutes. Only one swap between the two sets is allowed. Controls are worth 10, 20 or 30 points. Lose 10 pts per minute (or part of minute) late. Goes close to the river so not suitable for unaccompanied juniors. |
YOU MUST REPORT TO THE DOWNLOAD TENT BY 1PM LATEST AS CONTROLS WILL BE COLLECTED IN AT 1PM.
Control descriptions will be on the map only.
Start Times
Start times are between 10:15 and 11:45.
The assembly tent will be located in the field opposite The Earth Trust Centre on the other side of the road.
If you have your own dibber you can go straight to the start. If you hire a dibber go to the assembly tent first.
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 1pm onwards.
How To Enter
All entries are through SiEntries online only. Click on the link at the top of the page.
Entry to the event will be available up to 11am on the day of the event, Saturday 12th July.
However entries after Sunday 6th July will be subject to map availability, so we advise earlier entry.
You don’t have to be a member of an orienteering club to enter this event. On SiEntries, just show your club name as IND (for Independent)
Newcomers to Orienteering are most welcome! We have helpers to explain the event, the courses and the map.
Small family or other groups are welcome, but please enter only the Yellow, Orange or Red courses. You just need a single entry. The lead runner must be a Senior (M/W 21+).
You will receive one map for the group. However we recommend you have one map EACH – you can order extra maps (£1 each) when you enter.
If you enter as a group, SiEntries will ask you for the name of your group to appear in results – eg Jones family.
Entry Cost
Early entries up to and including Sunday 6th July
– Red and Light Green – BOF members £6, non-members and family groups £8, Juniors & Students £2
– White, Yellow, Orange and Score – BOF members £5, non-members and family groups £7, Juniors & Students £2
Later entries from Mon 7th July through to 11am Sat 12th July (assuming spaces are still available) – £1 extra
Timing chip hire £1 (essential if you do not own one). Lost timing chips charged at £65.
Facilities
Toilets are provided in the Earth Trust Centre.
Dogs
TVOC’s policy is that dogs are not permitted on courses.
Dogs are allowed but MUST stay on a lead throughout, which is a condition of our permission due to this being a nature reserve.
Further Information
This is the sixth event in the 2025 Thames Valley Junior Orienteering League for anyone aged 18 or under, who is competing on the Yellow, Orange, Red, Light Green or Green course. Full details can be found here.
Officials
Organiser: Alex Shaw email organiserPlanner: Alex Shaw
Controller: Ben Green
See the Saturday Series page for more information about the series and the full list of events.