The 7th event in the 9 race Cumbrian Galoppen series took place last Sunday (8th Nov) at High and Low Rigg near Keswick. Organised by WCOC, it was a very well attended and enjoyable event in overcast but dry autumnal weather. Often events on this area have involved a long walk to to start to get longer courses competitors into the most technically challenging parts of the area. This time it was reversed with the start close to parking and a remote finish for the longer courses.
Unfortunately last minute access problems (only discovered at 8.00 on the morning of the event) meant some very hasty re-planning with competitors on most courses missing out their first two or three controls. The WCOC team handled the problem very calmly and efficiently, with all maps and loose descriptions manually updated before competitors started. It was a shame, but almost everyone finished happy having enjoyed their courses in such a lovely orienteering area.
34 BL members took part in total with top results coming from:
James, 10th on Brown in a very high-class field
Natalie 3rd (and 1st woman) on Green
Tricia 6th (and 2nd woman) on Short Green
Thomas 4th on Light Green
Links to Results and Routegadget
The remaining two Galoppen events are at Roanhead, a complex but runnable sand dune area near Barrow (27th November, LOC) and Whitbarrow, a classic limestone scar with a mix on open fell and woodland (6th December, SROC).
BL members well positioned for a high final league position are:
Jeff currently 3rd on Brown
Isabel looking good for 1st woman on Blue
Natalie currently in 1st on Green
Jenny and Tricia on Short Green
Ivor, Richard and Andrew occupying 2nd, 3rd and 4th on Very Short Green
Thomas currently 2nd on Orange
League results available here
But with three 3 events to go (note results don’t yet include High/Low Rigg) and your top 5 results to count there’s plenty of scope for people to make huge leaps up the table.
A quick mention for the seven club member who had the energy not only to attend the High and Low Rigg event but also went to the North West Night League event the evening before at Benson Knott near Kendal. It’s a previously unused area that proved surprisingly challenging. Top results came on the Blue (longest) course where Jeff was second overall and Ali was first woman.
