The dust is just about settling after an incredible 1️⃣0️⃣ days of orienteering in Ireland.
☘The Emerald Isle O Festival all started in Wicklow on Friday 28 April with the first day of the Irish Championships. LVO was very well represented and performed well with around 50 podium positions.
During the week LVO hosted the UK Urban League on Thursday evening at Carrick and some Middle Distance training at Hillsborough on the Friday afternoon/evening.
🏰 Carrick saw 200 competitors running the streets. The event started and finished just outside the back of Ownies where we were kindly allowed to use as our event centre/download. Well done Paul Daniels and Richard Hetherington, who worked together on the organising and planning along with Richard McCourt (Controller) and myself. Only having planed/organised a WEE before, this was a step and a half up, but Paul land Richard really delivered seven excellent courses of fast running and a great evening overall. Thanks to Sharon Dickenson and Conor McKernon for supporting with the SiEntries and Timing, to Bill Simpson for the lovely new map; also to Colin and Harry for helping with sorting and clearing kit and everyone else who helped to support including the friends of Paul and Richard.
🌲 On Friday we have Stephen Gilmore to thank for organising our Hillsborough club event all over again – this time to entertain our visiting orienteers. I have heard some great reports from travelling competitors, they really enjoyed their runs. Very fitting to have a run in Royal Hillsborough on the Coronation weekend. 🤴
So onto the weekend –
🏃♀️The sprints on Saturday in Armagh were top drawer. Although close geographically they felt so different. Thanks to Graeme Francis for such great maps and to Philip Baxter for cunning planning (still having nightmares about that start on the qualifying!). Kieran Rocks did an amazing job with the organising, pre event and on the day. All our fantastic volunteer teams, from car parking to enquiries, but especially Mark Pruzina and Conor McKernon on keeping their cool with the SiTiming in a stressful environment. Also thanks to our Fermo and NWOC starter teams. Fantastic teamwork all round. For the organiser report visit here.
🧭Also happening in Armagh on the Saturday were the British Orienteering Trail O Championships. These took place in the Palace Demesne in the late afternoon, following the Sprints. Thanks to Wilbert Hollinger for planning and organising this event. Organiser report found here.
🌞The weather continued to stay very kind for us as we moved on to Drumkerragh Forest for the Middle race on Sunday. Again we were entertained with some great courses through interesting terrain, thanks to Ivan Millar our planner. Greg McCann did a fantastic job organising in not the most accessible area. Thanks again in particular to Mark and Conor and their IT team and the Fermo/NWOC starter teams. I heard the car parking was choreographed beautifully too. Again we couldn’t have put this event on without the fantastic support of almost all our LVO members – you all did a great job and people loved the day.
🙌Some high praise – A few Elite medal winners came up to me afterwards and said, “these are the best sprint and middle courses we have run in the UK for years”. A JK organiser also said, “I know the amount of work that goes in to make a successful event, well done great effort from the volunteers”.
I know it has been a challenge but we were up to it!💪
Thanks again for all your efforts, your very appreciative and proud chair.
Ric
