Levenhall Links
Saturday 26th October 2024
Event Report
Thanks for coming along to Levenhall Links and enjoying some autumnal East Lothian sunshine. It was the perfect conditions for some runners courses round the old ash lagoons in Musselburgh.
Many thanks to the volunteers, particularly those who were there at the bitter end collecting controls and to our planner Jeff Hodgson and the organiser Duncan Edmondson!
It was super to have refreshments afterwards and there was a lovely buzz of conversations both before and afterwards. Hopefully all our members who were helping / running in other events across the country this weekend had an equally enjoyable time.
There were a couple of hitches today but we hope they didn’t spoil the day for those affected – runners on Orange and the earliest starters on White. Orange, control number 5 wasn’t correctly located and one of the route choices in appeared to be more runnable on the map than it actually was on the ground. To be able to compare overall Orange course runs more easily we have removed control 5 from the overall results. The route choice analysis on Routegadget still includes this control so you can see how others approached it.
Planner’s Report
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.
- Winsplits Online gives another way of comparing your times for each leg.
- British Orienteering collect results from all events and publish ranking scores for larger events.
Advance Information
Type of event:
Local event in the East of Scotland Orienteering Association (ESOA) series
Levenhall Links is an interesting area in that the whole of the western part, the main section of the map, has been built up over the years from the ash from Cockenzie Power Station. Old maps show the racecourse as being on the shore originally. The sea wall was built and then the lagoons were filled with the ash slurry which was pumped from Cockenzie and sprayed out. As the sections were filled, they were landscaped, forming the pond and the bird sanctuary (the out of bounds area just east of the pond). Now that the power station has closed and been demolished, the remaining dark ashy bits are gradually becoming more attractive.
The map includes the old Morrison’s Haven, a once-thriving harbour which was infilled for safety reasons after it fell into disuse in the early twentieth century. Prior to that, the area around the harbour was an industrial site with chemical based factories, making sulphuric acid, soap, glass etc.
Terrain:
- Parkland with scattered dense plantations.
- Runners on longer courses will meet nettles intruding onto the narrow paths through woodland so full leg cover is recommended.
- 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. Dogs can come with orienteers but must be kept under control.
Toilets
There are no toilet facilities at the assembly area. Nearest toilets are near the public carpark on the River Esk and at Tesco.
Accessibility
TBC
Catering
TBC
Location
Nearest Town: Musselburgh
Grid Ref: NT363733
Nearest Postcode: EH21 7SY
Directions
Head past Musselburgh Racecourse towards Prestonpans.
The entrance to the track to the car park is partway between Levenhall and the Prestongrange museum. We will put a sign or a kite at this turning.
Follow the track westwards, it swings left then the entrance to the car park is on the right. The car park is saucer shaped and frequently flooded in the middle so come prepared to step out into the wet.
Public Transport
Lothian buses numbers 26 and 44 all pass close to Musselburgh Racecourse and the area we are visiting. The number 30 and the train station at Wallyford are a short walk/run away as well.
Nearest Defibrillator:
There will be a defibrillator and first aid kit at registration.
Registration & Start Times
Registration
This will be online and for newcomers at the car park – look for the ELO flag and tent.
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 1:30pm to 3:00pm. We won’t be allocating start times; start when you are ready.
The Start and Finish locations are close to the links car park within 100 metres of Registration.
Courses Close:
The courses will close at 4:00pm, so if you have not completed your course by then, you should stop and return to assembly.
You must report to the Download point, whether you complete the course or not, so that we know you are not lost or injured somewhere on the Links.
Course Information
Map
The map is printed at 1:10,000 with 5m contours.
Timing
SportIdent (SI) electronic timing will be used – we will have SIs for hire free of charge but there is a £30 charge if lost. Units, apart from start and finish, will be set for contactless punching.
Courses
There will be White, Yellow, Orange and Light Green courses.
| Course | Length / Ascent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| White | 1.9km / 0m | For competitive 9-10 year olds and 11-12 year old beginners. Follows paths with a control at each choice point. |
| Yellow | 2.9km / 0m | For competitive 11-12 year olds and 13-14 year old beginners. Follows line features with controls after choice points. |
| Orange | 3.7km / 10m | For competitive 13-14 year olds and beginner adults. Controls near paths or line features. |
| Light Green | 5.2km / 20m | For more experienced orienteers. Challenging navigation including route choice and rougher terrain. |
More details about the colour coding is available on the Scottish Orienteering website.
Organiser:
Duncan Edmondson
Planner:
Jeff Hodgson
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 | Late entry | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seniors | £4.50 | £5.50 | £6.50 | +£1 |
| Juniors | £2.50 | £3.00 | £3.50 | +50p |
| Pair of Seniors | £6.00 | £7.00 | £8.00 | +£1 |
| Pair of Juniors (no accompanying adults) | £3.50 | £4.00 | £4.50 | +50p |
| Junior and Parent | £4.50 | £5.50 | £6.50 | +£1 |
| Family Groups (one or more children accompanied by one or more adults) | £6.00 | £7.00 | £8.00 | +£1 |
| Second Course (white/yellow/orange) | £1.00 | £1.00 | £1.00 |
*Members of any orienteering club will receive a discount but we do charge extra for late entries received after we order the maps (usually the Monday before the event).
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.
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.