Harlequins Orienteering Club - Night Street League: Fixtures, Results, Rules

Spurred by the MADO initiative, some relative youngsters joined the old men in navigating around the streets of the West Midlands. It was good to see appearances from speed merchants Chris Mcsweeny, Dave Nevell and Phil Presland. John Embrey provided a new area for us, producing a fine map which supplied surprisingly good Orienteering based on the Weoleys in Birmingham.

In many ways we are at the end of an era and hopefully at the beginning of a bright new one. After many gorgeous feasts and fast racing at Streetly, Dot and Roger are looking for a retirement home near the sea, and the Xmas do in 2004 turned out to be the last. Many thanks Dot! After putting on events for close on 20 years, Russ Fauset decoded that even he had run out of something new to do and the Bewdley Mountain marathon of 2005 was the last. Again, thanks Russ. I shall miss being out for 2 and a half hours battling with the Long course.

A big thank you to all our organisers and planners, particularly to those who do not Street O themselves: Dennis Mews, Lester and Lynden Hartmann and Tom Horton. Without you and our keen competitors we would have no sport.

In the various competitions, John Embrey eventually ran out an easy winner (for the second year running) on the Long course and Geoff Foster had a wide margin on the Short. Once more the Medium trophy was hotly contested , with many races being decided by seconds rather than minutes. Congratulations to Robert Vickers who emerged triumphant, and to the other pot holders.

Next year we look forward to our first event in Stratford, and Geoff Foster promises a baked-potato supper afterwards. John Embrey may be able to map an area near his work. Can we get back into our prime territory in Redditch! Volunteer required. I hope to see you on the streets in 2006/7.

Brian Hughes (NSL Coordinator)

"Each event should be individually advertised in AdHOC. It is a good idea to let the planner know in advance that you are coming (helps with map production) and allows you to check on final details before travelling. If you wish to be on Brian Hughes' e-mail tree for the Night Street Series, please let Brian know".
- Brian Hughes, (NSL Coordinator]

	Date	Venue	Organiser	Results
1	3rd Nov	Malvern	Lester Hartmann	Results
2	23rd Nov	Stourbridge	Robert Vickers	Results
3	6th Dec	Worcester North	Brian Hughes	Results
4	3rd Jan	Kidderminster	Dennis Mews	Results
5	12th Jan	The Weoleys & Harbourne	John Embrey	Results
6	31st Jan	Bewdley {BIMM}	Russ Fauset	Results
7	16th Feb (Not 17th as previosuly posted!)	Bournville	Colin Spears	Results
8	29th March	Worcester note new date		Results

Rules

The normal time for starts is 6:30 p.m to 7:30 p.m. This was the wish of the majority and will help avoid some of the rush hour traffic. Earlier starts will be available at some events and may possibly be negotiated by individuals at others.

1. There will be 3 courses at each event . Short around 3-4 km., Medium 5 � 8 km, Long 8 km or more.

2.There will be a trophy awarded for the winner on each of the three courses during the season. The winner will be determined by the best 6 scores over the series.

3.This is a street competition not Night Orienteering. The majority of events should take place in towns, streets or on paths. Short, safe ,stretches in open country where powerful torches are not needed may be acceptable, but must not become the norm. If competitors are sent outside towns the organizer should consider the safety of possible route choices.

4.The planner scores 10 points and may allocate his points to the course of his choice.

5.The winner on each course scores 10 points, second 9 points and so on. In the unlikely event of a tie in an event, both competitors receive the higher score, with the next competitor scoring two points less.

6.If there is a tie at the end of the season then the competitor with more scores of 10 on his/her course wins the trophy. If there is still a tie the most scores of 9 determines and so on.

7.Under no circumstances may points be transferred between courses. A competitor must make it clear which course he is running before starting an event.

8.In unusual circumstances (e.g competitors not finding a control, controls being vandalised) it will be the planner's discretion to revise times or placings. (As a general principle planners try their best to ensure no one is disqualified and come away with no points.)

9.In the event of a dispute the NSL supreme (i.e me !) will make a ruling.

10.In the even more unlikely event that this ruling is not acceptable, appeal may be made to the Club Captain.

11.The winner of the Long course also wins the coveted title of "Harlequin Night Street League Champion for 2003/4".

12. Start times are normally 7 � 8 p.m but may be altered at the planner's discretion.

13. In exceptional circumstances the planner may allow a competitor who cannot make the official event to run at a different time. The result will only stand if the run takes place in the same week (Monday to Friday) as the official event. This is entirely at the discretion of the planner and competitors must not expect this by right.

Publicity: I would be grateful if the planner could advertise ahead in ADHOC giving directions to the event, start times and advise as to whether torches are essential, etc.