Ashridge Ace of Herts

Summary for the short of time or patience

• Parking near Dudswell HP4 3TA, OS grid SP964096, What3words pizza.fights.cycles. Approach the field only from NW ie from Tring, to save turning across traffic.
• 1.2km walk to near start (courses up to short green), further 750m to far start. Route includes a single track road – young juniors should be supervised. There will be an unsupervised clothing dump close to the near start and finish.
• Starts 10:00 to 12:30, courses close 14:30. For far start please try to get there for your -4 minute call up, near start will be turn up and go.
• SIAC enabled, with punching start and fly-by finish
• White course has one taped route and some sad/smiley faces to help navigation
• Green course and up cross minor roads, Blue and up have timed-out crossings of B4506. Take care.
• Event centre has toilets, food van (no cash), first aid, bag drop, download & enquiries.
• Dogs allowed in parking field but keep under control and tidy up after them. Not allowed on courses.
• The forecast is for pleasant early spring weather, but please come prepared for worse weather.

Important: To avoid any congestion on the main A4251 road all drivers should approach the car parking field from the direction of Tring, this will ensure all traffic turns left off the main road into the field. If you are travelling to the event along the A41 from Watford/M25 the exit is signed Northchurch A4251, Tring B4635. If you are travelling from the direction of Aylesbury along the A41 the exit is signed Northchurch Berkhamsted

The area can be divided into three:

• All courses start and finish in Northchurch Common, which has a mosaic of open land and vegetation types with some steep-sided valleys. In previous events, shorter courses have not visited this area so it will be new to many.
• Most courses visit the plateau which is generally runnable woodland with some thicker areas.
• The longest courses cross the B4506 to a continuation of the plateau. There is also a large area of brambles cut by numerous paths; courses will be planned to minimise the time spent in this area.

The major and large paths can be muddy, making straight routes through the forest more attractive. The National Trust have asked that if you do run along paths, you follow the main line even if it is wet or muddy; running round the edges damages the vegetation much more.

We would like to thank the National Trust, and Ashridge Estate in particular, for access to this excellent forest.

On entering the field follow the directions of the parking marshals as the exit from the field will be via a different gate, north of the entrance gate.

Be aware that there is also a right of way through the field which must be kept clear throughout, take care when driving in the field and be cautious of any dog walkers and other pedestrians.

Although the field has been well drained, during numerous site visits, it is not possible to guarantee that the field will not be muddy to exit on the day if there is heavy rain. If your electric vehicle is one that is untowable or unpushable you are recommended to either use an alternative vehicle or park in Berkhamsted; the Lower King Road car park (£3 for max stay 4 hours) is near Berkhamsted train station but will involve a 2 mile walk to the event centre, or see public transport options below.

The fee for the hire of the field is being donated to The Hospice of St Francis ( https://www.stfrancis.org.uk/ ).  If you would like to make an additional donation, there will be the option to do so when entering.

If you’ve not orienteered before, we suggest most people start with the yellow course. Young juniors, primary school age, and family groups with young children are better on white. People confident with a map and compass may start on orange.

The age classes are those recommended for the South East League. You may run any course you wish, but please take note of the course closure time if you are running a longer course than usual.

All the shorter courses from White to Short Green do not involve any road crossings so juniors on these courses should know they do not need to cross any roads.

The White course will have a short taped route through a more complex area, smiley and sad faces will also be put out to assist with navigation. Please make sure your juniors are aware of this taped section.

All other courses from Green to Black will cross a minor road (Toms Hill Road) twice, this will not be marshalled but competitors are advised to take care when they cross this road, “Caution Runner” signs will be put out on this road to warn drivers.

The longer courses Blue to Black cross the busier B4506 twice, this crossing will be timed out (2 minutes) and marshalled with “Caution Runner” signs displayed to warn drivers. Take extra care crossing this road and follow the advice of the marshals.

The longest courses, Brown and Black, cross another a minor access road in the far east with very limited traffic, this will not be marshalled and “Caution Runner” signs will not be displayed. Competitors should still take care crossing this road.

Loose control descriptions, pre-printed on waterproof paper, will be in the start lanes. They will also be printed on maps. Descriptions are pictorial for all courses except White and Yellow which have text.

• There has been significant bramble growth across parts of the area. This is mapped using the the green ‘walk’ screen and represents a significant impact on runnability.
• Bracken is low and has generally not been mapped unless overlain by bramble.
• There are many fallen trees across the area. Rootstocks are only mapped when over 2m high and locally prominent. They are shown with a green cross.
• Hides are not mapped.

The Finish, used by all courses, is adjacent to the Near Start and there will be a clothing dump nearby.

You may choose a start time between 10.00-12.30.  The near start, due to anticipated fewer numbers, will run on a turn-up and go basis. For the far start please make every effort to get there for your start time although early and late starts will be accommodated on the next available slot.

Courses close at 14.30.

White and yellow maps available at pre-start.

Call up is -4 minutes, so even fast walkers should leave the parking field 20 / 30 minutes before their start time.

SIAC (contactless timing chip) dibber hire £2. Charge for lost dibbers £65.
If you don’t have your own dibber you’ll need one.
If you want an extra map so that each member of your group has one, they are £1 each.

You can enter online up to 12:00 on the day, but if you need SIAC hire please enter by Friday 28th 23:59.

Enquiries / SIAC Collection.

Download.

Toilets at the event centre/parking field. There will be no toilets at the starts.

First Aid cover at the event centre/parking field next to download,  provided by White Star Medical.

Catering by Holy Smoke Catering, please note they will be operating on a card only basis, no cash.

Please check before travelling.

If you take your dog for a walk in the woods afterwards, please follow the NT code of conduct.

Climbing of fences is strictly forbidden.

You are advised to carry a whistle. In the event of extreme weather on the day, cagoules may be compulsory and there will be notice informing you at the exit from the assembly field to the starts. Come prepared.

Large numbers of deer live in Ashridge; please allow them to move away from you without chasing and panicking them. If ever a deer does not move away from you then it is injured and should not be approached. Notices asking the public to stay on the paths because of deer management activity can be ignored and there will no such activity on the day of the event.

The area is much used by walkers (many with dogs and/or buggies) and horse riders. Please be considerate to them to help ensure our continued access to this area.

Ponds and marshy areas may be deeper and muddier than you think. Paths can also be muddy.

The area is popular with cyclists, dog walkers and horse riders. Please show them due consideration.

First Aid will be based in the main field next to download. The nearest hospital is the Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Mandeville Road, Aylesbury, HP21 8AL. Alternatively, the Luton and Dunstable Hospital Trust, Lewsey Road, Luton LU4 0DZ, is not very much further away (9 miles from the event). Lastly, there is an urgent treatment centre (open 8am to 10pm every day) at Hemel Hempstead Hospital, Hillfield Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 4AD.

You must go to Download (in the parking field) even if you don’t finish your course. We need to confirm you’re back safely.

If you are driving to the event on your own you are recommended to leave your car keys in the key box at enquiries / download.