Verulamium
Welcome to one of our Saturday series events. Beginners are very welcome and there are courses for all standards.
Location | Occupying the site of the Roman City of Verulamium, this 100 acres of parkland is the first of its kind to be listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The chalk stream River Ver flows through and provides a home for many water birds and wildlife habitats. Archaeological excavations have uncovered numerous roman artefacts. The Hypocaust mosaic is free and Verulamium museum is also on the map. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Getting there |
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Terrain | Open parkland with some woodland and contour detail. Much of the area is the ancient monument covering the Roman town of Verulamium, although all you can see is a few fragments of walls that were left after the townsfolk had raided the site for building materials.
Part of the area is new for orienteering. It was a 9 hole golf course, now vegetation is increasing. It made for good X country racing earlier this year, so will make our event a bit different and add interest with new control sites (sandy pits ) and route choice . The paved area around the lake can be flooded if there is heavy rain the day before so clothes should be appropriate. Full leg cover is mandatory. |
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Courses | Courses for everybody from beginners of any age to experienced orienteers.
You may enter any course and will automatically be entered in the club’s Saturday League unless you ask not to. |
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Beginners | First timers are very welcome. Look for our greeters in hi-vis jackets who will help you.
We suggest that complete beginners start on the Yellow course, or Orange if you are confident with a map and compass. Young children, say primary school age, are probably better on White. If you find your course too easy, club policy is to offer you a free run on the next course up, if there’s time and there are maps available. |
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Maps | 1:7500 pre-marked maps for all courses on waterproof paper. For a previous event see Routegadget.
Control descriptions will be on the map, there are no loose descriptions. |
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Starts | Start and finish are within 200m of the event centre.
Starts are between 10:00 and 11:30, you can choose a 15-minute block within that. SIAC will be enabled for those with contactless dibbers. Punch the start and finish; other controls will be in dual contactless / punching mode. Courses close 12:45. Please start in good time to finish by then. |
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Entry & Fees | Entry are now open at SI Entries. All entries are made online. You can enter up to 11:15 on the day (subject to map availability).
If you don’t have your own dibber (timing chip) you’ll need to hire one for £1. Charge for lost dibbers £65. If you are running as a pair or group you only need to enter once. You’ll get one timing card. Enter using the name of the lead map reader (if a junior you pay junior rates) plus all other names in the free text “additional runners” box. If you want extra map(s) so that you don’t have to share they are £1 each. |
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Punching | SIAC (contactless mode) will be enabled for controls on the course. The start and finish controls will be in punching mode: ensure that you punch the start and finish. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Results | Live information will be available from your smartphone / tablet on www.herts-orienteering.club:
Full results will be published on www.herts-orienteering.club and Routegadget as soon as possible after the event. |
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Dogs | Keep under control and clear up behind you. Dogs are not allowed in the event centre (Sea Cadets’ Hut) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Facilities | Toilets at the Leisure Centre (200m) and at the running track (150m). Please note that another function is taking place within the Sea Cadets’ Hut and those toilets are not available.
There is a cafe in the Leisure Centre and any number of places to eat and drink in the city centre, up Holywell Hill to the NE corner of the map. |
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Safety | Orienteering is an adventure sport. You take part at your own risk and are responsible for your own safety. A full risk assessment will be been carried out.
Climbing of fences and entering out of bounds areas marked with purple cross-hatching is strictly forbidden. All water (lakes, river) is uncrossable (can be deep and contaminated with blue-green algae) Competitors travelling alone are advised to leave something of value that they will not forget at Enquiries (e.g. car keys). Please show due consideration to walkers, pushchairs, cyclists and other park users. You must go to Download (in Assembly) even if you don’t finish your course. We need to confirm you’re back safely. First Aid will be available at the Event Centre. The nearest A$E is Watford General A&E (24 hours) Vicarage Road, Watford, WD18 0HB. Tel: 01923 244366
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Officials |
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The small print
This event is registered with British Orienteering, number 84567.
Orienteering is a great sport for youngsters. If you bring children, please help us to keep to our safeguarding policy and British Orienteering’s photography policy.
Your personal data is used for results and insurance, see our privacy policy.
Refund policy:
If you cancel more than 7 days before the event we will refund your fees less an amount for admin and transaction costs. There is no refund for cancellations less than 7 days in advance.
If we have to cancel the event we will try to reschedule it. We will transfer your entry to the rescheduled event unless you ask for a refund.