On Sunday (8th March) SROC held a National Event at Witherslack, 6 miles SW of Kendal. The event was based at Witherslack Hall, a very impressive Victorian Mansion (now a school), with download and enquiries located on the lawned terrace in front of the house.
Happily the terrain and courses lived up to the grand setting. Okay, some of it was very rock underfoot and there was plenty of scratchy vegetation, but the majority of competitors enjoyed the navigational challenge and the great variety of terrain; there was wooded limestone with unexpected little valleys, working forest with big tracks none of which went the way you wanted, and grassy open fell with patches of gorse and spiky trees. For most people, it was more or less a new area, having last been used for about 20 years ago and changed significantly since then.
Over 300 competitors attended which meant that SROC had to use their overflow parking plan. They only allowed vehicles with at least 3 people, or an over 75 or and under 12 to park at the school. Everyone else parked about 2 miles away and could either walk or join up with another under-filled car. It worked well, helped by a tent where rucsacs etc could be left and a start-when-you-want system.
Therer was a good turnout of BL members. Highest placed was Keith who won the Green course by a big margin. He would normally run a longer course, but a twisted ankle prevented that. Stella was 3rd on Short Green, and the prize for endurance goes to Richard Moss who got round a Very Short Green that looks as physically tough as any of the long courses
Border Liners Orienteering Club 