Prestonpans Sprintelope
Wednesday 26 June 2024
Sprintelopes are lightweight informal events featuring Urban style races around the streets of towns in East Lothian and other areas in and around Edinburgh on Wednesday evenings.
In 2024, ELO are contributing six races to the series – this is the sixth of them, around Prestonpans!
Orienteers of all abilities are welcome to join us on the day when we will have a range of courses to suit everyone including under 16s who have a course with no road crossings.
Start and finish is now just round the corner outside St. Gabriel’s Primary School, Prestonpans.
Results
- Simple results are here.
- Routegadget allows you to plot your route, either by hand or by downloading a gpx file from a watch or phone and to look where you and others went.
- British Orienteering collect results from all events and publish ranking scores for larger events.
General Information
Type of event:
Local event in the summer Sprintelope series.
Because they are informal, there are typically only SI units for the start and finish – the rest of the controls are usually drainpipes (which are less conspicuous than flags)!
There will be a long (5km) and a short (3.5km) option although these are straight line distances so expect to run further than that.
Because of the road crossings ALL under 16s must be accompanied at all times by an adult when running, unless they are running the separate Junior Course.
Notes:
- Please observe any out-of-bounds areas.
Other Users
The area is very well used by the general public including dog walkers and families. Please respect their right to be there at the same time as you are orienteering.
Dogs
The area is well used by dog walkers so dogs are welcome to come with orienteers.
Toilets:
Nearest toilets are in the Mercat Gait Centre
Accessibility:
Generally speaking, level paved routes exist between all controls. However:
- The shortest route choice for some legs is not always completely step-free and paved (it may involve areas of grass, unpaved paths, steps, etc.) and finding a step-free paved route will be longer.
- The surface of some paved areas is a little uneven, and there may be low kerbs to descend or ascend, or small detours to find a dropped kerb.
- Some controls cannot be reached entirely via a step-free paved route, in the sense that the final few metres involve grass, an unpaved path, steps, etc. (but bear in mind that the controls are not dibbable anyway!)
- Some gates/paths may be a little tight to negotiate (roughly a metre wide).
- There may be unmapped steps.
What to Expect
Sprintelopes are informal events and as such there is no electronic punching at most of the controls.
It’s taken on trust that you visit them and instead of looking for a large white and orange kite you are looking for a more discreet white drainpipe which is usually hung on a tree, a drainpipe, a fence etc…
The only time you need to “dib” a control is at the start and the finish to record your total time.
At the start there is an all-in-one board to clear, start and then indicate whether you are running the short or the long course.
After you’ve punched the long or short option its time to find the rest of the controls (but don’t try to stick your dibber into them as they won’t beep) and enjoy yourself.
You MUST report back to the finish and download even if you don’t manage to find all the controls so that we don’t go out hunting for you!
Location
Nearest Town: Prestonpans
Grid Ref: NT386740
Nearest Postcode: EH32 9LH
Directions
The start/finish location is close to the train station. Walk to St Gabriel’s Primary School on Grange Road.
Public Transport
Nearest Defibrillator:
Mercat Gait Centre
Registration & Start Times
Registration
This will be in advance online – look out for the ELO flag on the day!
Please select an early start time if you think you might take a long time to complete your course.
Start and Finish:
Start times will be from 6:30pm to 7:30pm.
The Start and Finish locations are TBC.
Courses Close:
The courses will close at 8:30pm, so if you have not completed your course by then, you should stop and must return to assembly. Controls on the first half of courses may be collected from 8:00pm.
You must report to the Download point, whether you complete the course or not, so that we know you are not lost or injured in the town!
Course Information
Map
The map is printed at 1:5000 with 5m contours.
Timing
There will only be SI Units at the start and the finish – we will take it on trust that you visit the rest of the controls.
Courses
There will be Long, Short and Junior courses.
| Course | Length / Ascent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Long | 5km / Negligible | Moderate difficulty (no unaccompanied under 16s) |
| Short | 3km / Negligible | Moderate difficulty (no unaccompanied under 16s) |
| Junior | 1.2km / Negligable | A course with no road crossings suitable for under 16s. |
More details about the colour coding is available on the Scottish Orienteering website.
Organiser:
Michael Atkinson
Entry Charges
Entry is cheaper if you are a current 2024 member of a club affiliated to Scottish or British Orienteering.
Please ensure that your membership has been renewed for 2024.
| British Orienteering member* | Scottish Orienteering member* | Non‑member | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seniors | £3 | £4 | £5 |
| Juniors | £2 | £3 | £4 |
| Pair of Seniors | £4 | £5 | £6 |
| Pair of Juniors | £3 | £4 | £5 |
| Junior and Parent | £2.50 | £3.50 | £4.50 |
*Members of any orienteering club will receive a discount.
Safety and Risk
A comprehensive risk assessment has been carried out by the organisers, but participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event:
- complete the courses at a pace which suits you and your ability
- do not participant if you are unwell (Covid or other infectious disease)
- be aware of dogs – slow down when approaching or passing dogs especially those not on a lead
- be alert to others, avoid situations where you feel vulnerable and if you feel unsafe return to registration
- check the forecast before coming a dress appropriately to the weather
Medical Conditions:
If you, or anyone in your group (including juniors), have a medical condition that first-aiders or health professionals should know about in the event of accident or illness during the course of the event please print off the Medical Form, complete it fully and bring it along to the event. You should complete a separate copy for each individual who has a medical condition. Please leave the completed Medical Form at Event Registration. If it is not in a labelled sealed envelope, it will be put in one and will be opened only in an emergency. It will be shredded immediately after the event if you do not claim it back.
Privacy
When entering our events your name will appear in the results section of this website and may appear in newspaper reports.
We may also take photographs at the event for publicity purposes – please let us know if you do not want us to use your photograph in this way.
Read our privacy policy.