Event report: Sprint 3

A weather perfect day welcomed the 79 individuals who decided to run the sprint courses at Araluen Botanic Gardens. Despite it being autumn, there were many flowers evident in the beautiful gardens as well as the pungent aroma of jasmine.

The many twisty and intertwined tracks made route choice a key to the competitive among us, especially to minimise climb, with map detail, hills and stairs each contributing to the challenge of the well-set courses. There were many novices on the day, who by all accounts thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Facts and figures:

• 54 pre-registered: 87 registrations total: 1 dns: 79 people competing – allowing for those who did more than 1 course but not allowing for all in groups. Eg. A few are not listed as +2 etc on results.
• The Long was won by Joseph Coleman, taking out the win in 22:14, almost 2 minutes clear of the field. Interestingly, no runners took the route choice option to the right from the start to #1. Would they have been faster if they had done so? Check out runners’ routes on Livelox.
• On the Short, Noel Schoknecht won in 26:25 with Tony Simpkins 40 seconds behind. (Veronica and Nigel show as 1 and 2 but this was the 2nd run for each so doesn’t count officially).
• Karen Dowling took the official win on the Easy.

All courses were over the ideal winning time but were ideal in the technical challenge they presented, and an excellent effort from novice setters – Murray and Kerrin Cox – both of whom were very efficient and very willing to learn. They were also extremely unwell on the day and probably should have been home in bed. Thanks to Ken P who checked course drafts and offered technical advice in the absence of a controller, as well as picking up maps from the printers.

Much thanks to – Zac from Araluen for opening up early for the setters: Sten for a quick remap: Jack on admin for the extra duty of organising an alphabetical ‘gate list’ for entrants: Sue for helping Helen set up registration and flags: control collectors – Ken and Carol B, Kerrin, Murray, Rachel (BO), Nigel (BO) and anyone else I may have omitted.

Many thanks to setters Murray and Kerrin, and organiser Helen.

Results are now available on Eventor and you can check out some competitor route choices on Livelox.

Photos: (Above) group discussion, (below) control site. Taken by Tucker Ellery.