Dark Side of the Town, Penrith

Side 2 : South & Central Penrith

(Night MapRun – Tuesday 10th March)

Following on from The Dark Side of the Town, Side 1, this is now Side 2. It is an informal evening event using MapRun with a chance to socialise in the pub afterwards. You must “pre-enter” via email by Sunday 8th March to get a map (details below).

Event centre
Based at the Arturo Lounge, Penrith (in the New Squares precinct).

Parking
Nearest parking is at Sainsburys Supermarket where there is 3 hours free (do not overrun and do not stay beyond 10pm; you have been warned!). After 6pm it is possible to park free in Great Dockray (which is disk zone parking for 1 hour so anytime after 5pm is sort of free). There is some limited on-street parking on roads nearby but these spaces are frequently full.

Starts
Start anytime between 6:30 and 7:30 pm. If you want to run the course all in the dark aim to start after 6.45pm. Check in and get your map inside the Arturo Lounge (we’ll be at the right hand end). After your run, please make sure you report in confirm you are back safe. Ideally everybody would be back by 9.00pm. The start and finish are very close by. Don’t go to the start until you are ready to set off.

Courses
There are 2 linear courses, both tested with MaprunG for Garmin. There are occasional “artificial barriers” added to the map to add to the navigational challenge.

Long = 5.8km straight line (35m climb), c.34-36 virtual control points, approximately 7.7km real (test run) distance. The first 20 controls of the long course are the same as the short; at this point you will be close to the Arturo Lounge (marked in red on the map) so if you were to consider retiring this is the place.

Short = 3.5km (35m climb), 21 virtual controls, approx 4.6km real (test run) distance.

Controls should be taken in the correct order. Depending on the route you take you may happen to pass by and “register” later or earlier controls, but even if you do, just like in normal orienteering, you should still visit the controls in the correct order for the course. All control sites are virtual and will be things like path junctions, trees, walls, seats, buildings; other than MapRun beeping to indicate you have been there will be nothing at the control sites.

MapRun
We will be using MapRun “CheckSites”, although as it’s only a bit of fun you can just run using the map and not use MapRun if you wish. When you check in at the Arturo Lounge to get your map you will also get the CheckSites code to download the map & course onto your phone (or Garmin if you have a compatible watch & have installed the MaprunG app from Garmin Connect). Controls are set with a 15m distance parameter. In testing some controls triggered early; if this happens you have the choice of continuing to the control site (because that’s what you would have to do in the real sport) or simply carry on to the next control. The choice is yours.

We may produce a very informal set of results with the times taken for the 2 courses which we may send by email (they will not be on the BL website).

For anyone who hasn’t come across MapRun, it’s a form of orienteering that uses smart phones and GPS for punching and timing, avoiding the need for control markers and SI boxes. Full instructions and help will be available on the night. It would help greatly if you download the free MapRun app to your phone in advance, but even this can be done on the night if necessary. There is some more information on MapRun on our own website here. [The latest version of MapRun is 7.9.0]

Map
Long = A3 1:4000 Penrith urban orienteering map with 5m contours. For one section of the course we hope to print a 1:3000 extract on the back of the map. This will be indicated on the front of the map so you can decide whether to turn over or not.

Short = A4 1:3000 with 2 map flips (this is a larger scale map as the course is shorter, but requires a map flip to work at this larger scale). The course will start on one side, turn over for the mid-section, then return back to the first side to complete the rest of the course.

For both courses control location descriptions will be combined pictorial and text printed on the front of the map. You probably don’t need them – just run to the centre of the circle! – but they are there for confirmation of what the location is and for practice.

Terrain
Courses visit a mix of residential housing and the town centre. Mostly the surface underfoot will be tarmac or pavement but there may be small areas of grass which courses may need to cross. Both courses also cross the A6; consider using the crossing points marked on the map and take care.

Entries
Email Keith to reserve your map, indicating which course you would like to select. Please do this on or before Sunday 8th March (we will be map printing Monday). Fees are £2 per map, cash payable on the night – please bring the correct change if possible.

Safety, clothing etc
Sunset is 18:04. By 18:30pm it should be almost dark. You will need a headlamp or torch to read the map and there is one stretch which has no street lighting. Please wear something bright/hi viz and suitable warm clothing for the conditions. You may wish to wear shoes with a little grip and perhaps not your best clean trainers…..

U16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. By all means run in pairs/groups if you wish. The organiser’s mobile phone number will be on the map. If you are using the MapRun app then you will have your phone; if you are using a Garmin smartwatch do consider still carrying your phone.

There will be vehicle traffic and pedestrians, particularly in the town centre – please be patient and courteous. There are some narrow alleyways and underpasses. Please take corners wide, and make sure you do not run into anyone.

A comprehensive risk assessment has been prepared by the organiser but please be aware that you take part in this event at your risk and are responsible for your own safety. Nearest hospitals are in Penrith (Urgent Treatment Centre for minor injuries) and Carlisle (Full A&E department).

The activity is registered with British Orienteering, #38961.

Social
It’s a good chance to chat to fellow runners and discuss route choices. The Arturo Lounge would welcome you to stay and have a drink &/or food. The kitchen is open until 10pm and on Tuesdays they have special offers on Tapas.

Contact
If you have any questions or need more information, email Keith.

Planned, organised and tested by Keith Tonkin & Christine Kiddier, Border Liners