Border Liners Orienteering Club’s latest event took place last Saturday at High Stand near Armathwaite. The terrain varies from dense conifer plantation with low visibility (and running speed) to fast open broadleaf woodland visited by the longer courses. While the woodland was relatively unscathed by Storm Eowyn there were some areas of fallen trees to make sections feel a bit more like an obstacle course. There is also an interesting network of paths making even the less technical courses challenging when taken at speed, while also providing a safe and enjoyable outing for less experienced participants.
Top of the bill on the Yellow course was Border Liner Matthew Hartley (M10) taking a rapid 24:05 for 2.1km, showing great consistency by winning 8 out of the 10 leg times on the course. Border Liners took the top 3 places on the Orange course (2.8km) with Dylan Clarke (M12) taking the win in a time of 40:08, just 3 seconds in front of Thomas Hartley (M14), with Jonty Razzetti (M14) close behind. Names to look out for in the future perhaps? It was also nice to see some families and other newcomers to the sport enjoying these shorter courses.
Border Liner Martin Keegan (M60) won the Light Green course (3.7km) and Andrew Bell (M75), also BL, was first on the short but technical Very Short Green (1.9km), following up on his win the previous week. The Short Green course (3.1km) was nip and tuck all of the way round with Christine Kiddier (W70, BL) just missing out to Anne Salisbury (W70, WAROC). On the longest Green course (4.5km) Roger Thomas (M65, WCOC) took the win pressed hard by local runner Emily Huddleston just 31 seconds behind. Top Border Liner was John Ferris-Worth clearly now recovering from competing in The Spine Race in January.
The longest, Blue, course (6km) visited the physically toughest part of the terrain. There were technical errors across the whole field with competitors being pushed off line by fallen trees and deep ditches. Steve Birkinshaw (M55, WCOC) just pipped Jamie Rennie (M55, WCOC) both taking a little over an hour with top Border Liner, Keith Tonkin, third in 73 minutes.
This coming Sunday, Border Liners are taking part in the regional qualifier for the national inter-club competition. Fingers crossed for a good result.
Report – Dan Parker
Photos – Julie Ferris Worth
16th February 2025
Border Liners Orienteering Club 