Event report: WA Long Distance Championships

Umuna

Congratulations to our 2023 WA Long Distance Champions – Kellie Whitfield from SWOT and Craig Dufty from BO – and congratulations to all the class winners and place getters. Run on a beautiful spring day at the picturesque Umuna, it was an excellent forerunner to the upcoming Kambarang Carnival.

Alex Tarr’s 2004 map, with updates to current standards and georeferencing by Noel Shoknecht, has stood the test of time superbly. Courses designed by Tony Simpkins, fieldworked by Jack Dowling and controlled by Tony were well accepted by the 100 odd entrants, including several interstaters getting an early experience of our terrain pre Carnival. A couple of runners also experienced a local reptile at one control!

A multitude of helpers made the event possible. Simon Windsor kicked the event off but had to go overseas, leaving his brother Greg and sister-in-law Jane to take on a significant part of the control placement. Paul Dowling also assisted with E and VE controls and water drops.

Control collection was quickly handled by BO members Paul Dowling, Mike and Nicole Sibbald, Patrick Dufty, Michael Dufty, Rob and Lois West, Liam Dufty, Penny Dufty, Amy Dufty and Tucker Ellery, and Hadrien Devillepoix. Rob Beattie pulled in the finish and helped with tidying up. Thanks also to Ceri Pass who organised the awards, brought them to the event, and assisted in distributing them.

Rob and Lois West also did duty sourcing and returning the much appreciated toilet.

Special thanks to Ken and Carol Brownlie for their efforts running the start (a dress rehearsal for Kambarang), packing the caravan and returning it to the shed. A special thank you to all those on "Carnival Start Teams" who arrived early to learn the start procedure.

As always, much appreciation to the landowners of Umuna and, in particular, to Dan and Tony – the current lessees - for their cooperation.

Results are available on Eventor.
Upload your track to Livelox and compare your route choices with those of your fellow orienteers.

Photo: Our WA Long Distance Champions Kellie and Craig, taken by Rob West.