The Sledmere Hall Estate hosted the second round of Orienteering’s East Yorkshire Short Race Series on Saturday 27th February.
Organised by Humberside and Lincolnshire Orienteers (HALO), the event consisted of two races of 3km with a handicapped start calculated for the second race.
The Men’s Open was won by Paul Murgatroyd who had travelled from Lincoln for the event and the Women’s Open was won by Scottish runner Fiona Forrest, however the fastest time of the day was by local Beverley runner (and Junior England International) Zac Field who competed in the Junior Class.
All classes competed on the same two courses. The Juniors certainly showed the Seniors the way home as the two fastest times of the day were both from Juniors.
The Veteran’s class winners, John Butler and Helen Gardner were both from the York based EBORienteers club.
The next two rounds of the series take place at Driffield Airfield on March 20th and at Londesborough Park on April 10th. Prizes for the series have been generously donated by Start Fitness of Beverley.
Beginners courses will be available at these two events for anyone wanting to try the sport.
Further details at www.halo-orienteering.org.uk or by email to neil@halo-orienteering.org.uk
HALO also runs a weekly club night at Beverley Longcroft School on Mondays (6pm to 7:30pm) during term-time. New members always welcome. (Details available from email and web-site contacts as above )
HALO is a non-profit club operating for the benefit of the communities of Humberside and Lincolnshire. The Club has been in existence for over 25 years and has about 100 members who live mainly in East Riding, Hull, North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire. It puts on about 20 orienteering events each year which are run under the auspices of “British Orienteering” (the national body).
In the last few years HALO has been working with the East Riding of Yorkshire Council who, with its help, has established permanent orienteering courses at Humber Bridge Country Park and Sewerby Park. The Club has also worked with North Lincolnshire Council in setting up similar facilities at Central Park, Normanby Park and Brigg Town Centre. In addition, the Club has been working with the schools of the two Authorities, as well as those in Hull and North East Lincolnshire and has mapped over 150 school grounds.
Orienteering is now a major sport in education meeting the developmental needs, both physical and mental of pupils. It is an important vehicle for delivering Outdoor Adventurous Activity within the English National PE Curriculum as well as providing the opportunity for cross-curricular links with maths, geography and citizenship studies. It also offers an exciting multi-dimensional extra-curricular activity which was one of the reasons for setting up the club nights.
Orienteering can take place anywhere from remote forest and countryside to urban parks and school playgrounds. It is a great sport for runners, joggers and walkers who want to improve their navigation skills or for anyone who loves the outdoors. Orienteering – the adventure sport for all.
Neil Harvatt, Fixture Secretary, HALO
Can be contacted on 07800-784255 (not for publication)
