What a great event!
Sunshine + good courses + fast running + slick organisation = many happy orienteers. A big thank you to everyone who helped on the day and beforehand.
Here is the report Dan has written for the local papers:
The latest stage in the 2026 Cumbrian Galoppen series of orienteering events was held by Border Liners at Bampton Common on Sunday 10th May. Despite minus 4 degree temperatures overnight it soon warmed up, aided by the almost unbroken sunshine. On the start line there were mutters of it being too hot, but a light breeze meant that it was almost perfect. Underfoot conditions were mostly quite fast with just a few patches of reedy marsh, intermingled with the odd nettle, to slow progress. Given the location there was, of course, significant ascent (and descent) on the courses with plenty of tired legs struggling to put in a sprint finish on the home straight.
Challenging courses were planned by Carol Edwards and the event was efficiently organised by Natalie Hawkrigg. It was really encouraging to see so many juniors and new faces. As well as the fully technical courses, the Yellow, Orange and Light Green courses provide increasing technical challenge and length to allow progression as more experience is gained. In addition this event provided a Red course – longer but still relatively straightforward designed for keen runners who want a navigational challenge without going full on technical. The Yellow course was 2.7km and 65m ascent with 13 checkpoints to find. It was won by Harriet Rooke (W10) of Lakeland OC in a time of 24:16, followed by sister Cecily (W10) and Ben Hookway (M10). Top Border Liner was Sophie Arnold (W10). The Orange course (3.2km, 85m) was a very close affair with the lead changing hands 3 times. Border Liner Thomas Hartley (M14) came out on top in a time of 27:23 just 20 seconds ahead of Noah Hendry (M12) from Lancashire club SROC. Not far behind was Ted Ware (M12) in third place. Light Green (3.8km, 140m) was won by Will Prince (M50), followed by Lynne Hume (W45) of West Cumberland OC and Flora Ballester (W40), also of WCOC. On the Red course (7km, 220m) Dominic Arnold (M21) raced round in a time of 48:45 well clear of Steven Fleming (M35) and Boff Whalley (M65).
Looking at the technical courses, the longest was Brown which involved 9km with 455m ascent. It was won by David Roome (M40, SROC) in a time of 62:33. He was 3 minutes ahead of Isaac Hunter (M20, WCOC) with Steve Birkinshaw (M55, WCOC) just behind. First lady was Steve’s daughter Hannah (W18) in a time of 92:37, 7 minutes clear of Julie Ferris-Worth (W55, WCOC). Top Border Liners were Keith Tonkin (M65) and Jeff Powell Davies (M45) closely packed around the 75 minute mark. On the Blue course (6.9km, 340m) Matthew Rooke (M35, LOC) showed everyone a clean pair of heels, winning by 9 minutes in a time of 48:12. Second was James Todhunter (M45, SROC) closely followed by John Slater (M55, WCOC). Top Border Liner and first lady was Isabel Berry (W45) in a time of 63:48, 3 minutes clear of Eleanor Osborne (W50, LOC). The Green course (5.1km, 225m) was won by Rebecca Rooke (W35, LOC) in a very rapid time of 36:29. Rebecca was also first first lady with Jo Rodham (W45) second lady, 3rd overall, and top Border Liner. Second overall was Chris Pollitt (M65, WCOC). The Short Green course was dominated by a trio of W70’s, with Gill Browne (LOC) taking the honours in a time of 41:36 ahead of Susan Roome (SROC) and Jill Smith (EBOR). Top Border Liner was Chris Lates (M85) who took 57:27. Three Border Liners took the places on the Very Short Green Course (2.7km, 75m) with Andrew Bell (M75) winning, ahead of Ivor Norman (M70) and Richard Moss (M80).
Here are links to Results, Routegadget and Winsplits
Border Liners Orienteering Club 