NI Colour Series 1 - Drumkeeragh Forest
2024-03-16 11:00 - 13:00 (Europe/London) | Drumkeeragh Forest Park, 117 Drumnaquoile Rd, Dromore, Co Down, BT25 2LB, Northern Ireland
The first NI Colour Series event of the year brings us to Drumkeeragh Forest.

This was the venue of the British Champs last year and courses this year won't disappoint either.

There will be a full range of courses for all ages and abilities - full details to follow.

⚪White - 1.3km + 40m climb - navigate along paths with few route choice decisions. Aimed at primary school aged newcomers

🟡Yellow - 1.8km + 60m climb - along paths with more route choice decisions. Appropriate for newcomers and younger juniors with some experience.

🟠Orange - 2.6Km + 120m climb - skills needed to navigate away from paths and more route choice decisions, some compass skills are expected. Aimed at novice adults and improving juniors.

🟢Light Green - 2.8km + 110m climb - this course requires confident map reading and compass skills.

🟢Short Green - 2.8km + 140m climb - this course is set at the highest technical difficulty but shorter to attract those who may struggle with a longer physical course.

🟢Green - 3.4km + 150m climb - technically and reasonably physically demanding course.

🔵Blue - 5.3km + 220m climb - technically and physically demanding course.

🟤Brown - 7.7km + 350m climb - technical and very physically demanding course.

Taking into account the distance and climb, the longer courses are planned at the upper boundary of the BOF guidance.

Registration, Starts and Finish

Registration will be in the MOO (Mobile Orienteering Office) in the car park and will be open from 1030.

Starts will be between 11am and 1pm. The start will be approximately a 800m walk from the carpark, so allow 10-15minutes to get there for your 4min call up.

Finish - the finish will be situated about 500m from registration/car park - please return to the MOO to download.

Courses will close and controls collected in at 3pm sharp.

First Aid and Safety

There will be a first aid and a qualified first aider available at registration. Registration is also a safe place for lost children to wait.

Please do not come to the event if you are unwell.

Please bring and carry any medication you might need - especially inhalers and EpiPen's.

If you come across an injured or ill person, please stop, help and get further help. There will likely be qualified first aiders on the course who can stop to provide support.

A whistle (emergency alert is 3 loud blasts per minute) is mandatory as is full body cover.

A waterproof jacket may also be mandatory if the organisers decide the weather requires one. So, bring one along just in case.

All participants must return to download, whether they complete the course or not. This is to account for all competitors, ensuring everyone's safe return.

Courses will close and controls collected in at 3pm sharp. If you are still out on the course at this time return to finish and download immediately.

Toilets

There will be hired Portaloo in the car park.

The closest public toilets are located in Ballynahinch and Castlewellan.

Parking

Parking will be at the main car park, but this is limited, so please arrange to car share if at all possible! This is a busy forest with lots of other users including horse riders. The turning circle is needed to be kept clear for 4x4s pulling horse boxes. If the car park is full, park responsibly on the road, making sure not to block gateways, entrances and allowing space for farm machinery to pass.

Cost and Entries

Adult £10 (£12 non-member). Junior/Student £5 (£6 non-member). Maximum charge for a family £25 (£30 non-members).

Entries open here on SIEntries.
