Penrith Evening Fun Event

Tuesday 25th March

An informal evening event using Maprun with a chance to socialise in the pub afterwards. You must “pre-enter” via email by Sunday 23rd March to get a map.

Location and Parking
Based at the Agricultural Inn in Penrith, Castlegate CA11 7JE. Nearest parking is in Morrisons but there’s only 2 hours free (they appear to have cameras). After 6pm it is possible to park free in Dockray, or slightly further away there’s also Sainsbury’s where you get 3 hours. There is parking at Bluebell Lane, not far from Morrisons (also free after 6pm) and also some roadside along A592 Ullswater Road past the castle & station (although used by commuters as well). The pub isn’t too far from Penrith station.

Starts
6 – 7 pm, register and get your map inside the pub. After your run, please make sure you report back to the pub to say you are back safe. Ideally everybody would be back by 8pm so if you expect to get value for money then please try and start nearer 6pm. Start and finish are both close by.

Courses
There will be a single map showing the “full” course with a short course cut-off. Full course is 6.0km 75m climb, Short is 3.6km 25m climb. Distances are straight line so you will run further. As a benchmark a prelim test run of the full course was 8.2km. But it’s very informal and you can do as many or as few controls you feel like!

MapRun
We will be using Maprun “CheckSites”, although as it’s only a bit of fun you can just run around without the app if you wish. Only the full course is on MapRun so if you do a shorter course you will show as not finished on the app, but it will give the reassuring beep at all the controls you visit. When you get your map you will also be given 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).

We may produce a very informal set of results with the times taken for the 2 suggested 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. You should download the free MapRun app to your phone in advance, but even this can be done on the night if necessary.)

Map
A3 1:4000 Penrith urban orienteering map with 5m contours. There may also be an A3 1:3000 for special short course option.

Terrain
Almost 100% hard surfaces, a few bits of grass, some optional.

Entries
Email Keith to reserve your map, preferably on or before Sunday 23rd March (as map printing Monday). £2 per map, payable on the night. Please bring the correct change if possible. If you know you would only want to do the shorter course option let Keith know and we can print the larger scale map (but you can’t then swap to the long course on the night, whereas you can if you use the 1:4000 map).

Safety
Sunset is about 18:30 so it probably won’t be getting dark until nearer 7pm. Very early starters may get away without a torch but it would be advisable to bring a torch of some sort to read the map. Depending on your route some link paths may not be street-lit, and some are not very well lit! Please wear something bright/hi viz. U16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. If adults prefer to run in pairs for safety or social, that is no problem. By all means carry a mobile phone. The organiser’s mobile phone number will be on the map.

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

A 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).

Social
The pub really won’t mind if you stay and have a drink or food! A good chance to chat to fellow club members. There is usually a couple of guest real ales. Last order for food may be 8pm (to be checked).

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