Thame is a market town some 10 miles east of Oxford, and close to the M40. It often used for the filming of “Causton” in Midsomer Murders; you’ll see plenty of the filming locations during your run.
SEOUL
Categories will remain as for 2024
Race sponsors
We’re very grateful to our five race sponsors, for their support: The Practice; Racquets Fitness Centre; Thame Cars; Pindar Creative; and CPM International.
We’re also grateful for the help and support of Thame Town Council.
The Event HQ, including registration and download, is in Thame Town Hall, upstairs. Postcode: OX9 3DP
PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU DOWNLOAD BACK AT THE EVENT HQ ASAP AFTER FINISHING.
This race will be SIAC enabled.
Our aim is to organise this rescheduled event as intended for last September. We hope that everything remains in place, but obviously there is the possibility of issues arising in the lead up to the New Year. Please keep an eye on the website.
Directions / Parking
5 miles from M40 Junctions 7 & 8a
Plenty of parking in town centre car parks. Parking in Town Centre/High Street area is free on Sundays; charges apply to Cattle Market and Southern Road car parks.
Terrain Description
Medieval town centre around the Butter Market and Cornmarket, with lots of alleys; parkland including the picturesque Cuttlebrook Nature Reserve; and a complex 1970s residential estate (Lea Park) with a plethora of cul-de-sacs and open areas, linked by numerous alleys and paths, providing lots of route choices around the courses!
The Map
Map updated and extended July 2024; Scale 1:4000, ISSprOM 2019-2, A3 double-sided. By Bob & Pattie Beresford, TVOC.
Start Times
Starts from 10.30 to 12.30. (Far Start, for courses 1 to 5 is about 1000m; Near Start for courses 6 and 7 is about 500m from Town Hall. Finish for all courses is adjacent to Near Start.)
Courses close 14.00, by which time you must have downloaded.
Courses
COURSE 1: 7.6 km (optimal approximately 10.5 km) (27 controls) [Class (for SEOUL league): Men Open]
COURSE 2: 7.1 km (optimal approximately 9.7 km) (25 controls) [Class (for SEOUL league): Men Vet, Women Open]
COURSE 3: 5.5 km (optimal approximately 7.5 km) (20 controls) [Class (for SEOUL league): Men Supervet, Women Vet]
COURSE 4: 4.8 km (optimal approximately 6.5 km) (17 controls) [Class (for SEOUL league): Men Ultravet, Women Supervet]
COURSE 5: 3.3 km (optimal approximately 4.5 km) (13 controls) [Class (for SEOUL league): Men Hypervet, Women Ultravet, Women Hypervet]
COURSE 6: 3.5 km (optimal approximately 4.5 km) (14 controls) [Class (for SEOUL league): Men Junior, Women Junior] ORANGE
COURSE 7: 1.8 km (optimal approximately 2.0 km) (13 controls) [Class (for SEOUL league): Men Young Junior, Women Young Junior] YELLOW
You may enter any course you wish, apart from unaccompanied under 16s, who must enter Courses 6 or 7. To be competitive in the South England Orienteering Urban League (SEOUL), enter your age class as shown (or run up). If you're not interested in this league, then ignore the Class details! Just enter whatever length of course you fancy, by entering Course X Other (or Orange or Yellow which are Courses 6 and 7 respectively).
The maps for Course 7 are available before starting; for all other courses, you get your map as you start. Blank maps and lots of help will be available at Race HQ. Climb is negligible and will not affect any route choice.
We’ve suggested two classes for beginners (ORANGE & YELLOW), but feel free to enter any class, depending on what length you prefer. Course 6 crosses minor roads with a 30 mph limit, but with light traffic and good visibility.
Under 16s on the day may only enter Courses 6 or 7 (unless accompanied by a responsible adult).
M/W 12 and below may only enter Course 7 (unless accompanied by a responsible adult).
How To Enter
Entries are via SiEntries, using the link at the top of the page. There will be no entry at the event.
Note though that those aged under 16 on race day may only enter courses 6 or 7. And under 12s may only enter course 7.
If you want to take part as a family group or a group of friends, you are welcome to do so. Just make one entry in one name. In the entry process, you will be asked for the names of the additional members. We recommend each person has a map, so they can follow where you are all going. You will automatically receive one map, but the entry process asks you if you would like extra maps - these cost £1 each. Note you will have one timing chip for the group, and you will appear just as one entry in the results.
Entry Cost
UP TO SUNDAY 22ND DECEMBER
Senior (British Orienteering member): £12
Senior (non-British Orienteering member): £14
Senior or Family group (on Yellow or Orange course): £8
Junior or Student: £4
Extra maps for groups: £1 each
ON OR AFTER MONDAY 23RD DDECEMBER will be subject to a surcharge of £2 for Seniors, £1 for Juniors and Students (and entry will be subject to maps being available)
Hire of individual SIAC (contactless timer): £2 (Lost SIACs charged at £65)
Facilities
Toilets and First Aid in Town Hall; lots of cafes, pubs, shops nearby.
Further Information
Race sponsors
We’re very grateful to our five race sponsors, for their support: The Practice; Racquets Fitness Centre; Thame Cars; Pindar Creative; and CPM International.
We’re also grateful for the help and support of Thame Town Council.
Officials
Organiser: Neville Baker
email organiser
07562 992292
Planner: Adam Poole
Controller: Katy Stubbs (BKO)