BASOC at the 2024 Scottish Champs
Credit: Pat Morris
What we did, how we got on, reports from those at the Scottish Champs weekend.
The 2024 Scottish Champs were held over the weekend of 25th (Individual at Craig Leach, Inverness) and 26th May (Relays at Roseisle, Burghead). BASOC had a good representation there across a range of classes and the winning podium in the W40 Class with 1st Rebecca, 2nd Gemma and 3rd (Purple) Jane! This was after helping to run both starts for the event, misty at the beginning and then sunny with a breeze to keep the midges away!
The relays at Roseisle had great fast technical orienteering in forested sand dunes. No relay teams made the podium but we had great club spirit in the tent (sheltering when the rain came on) and cheering the runners from the last control to the finish. We even had three supporters who came along but did not run in the relays!
BASOC competitor reports from the weekend
Great to see so many of the club running and helping. Beautiful individual competition day in the sun. Love the mix of relays with everyone competing together.
Janette
Day 1 - I was so hot and tired at the end I needed an ice cold IrnBru to revive me (!). Day 2 - lovely area, great course, exhausted legs! Loved the huddling together in the tent.
Jane
My first Scottish Champs where I have done the relay as well as the individuals. Not much opportunity to socialise on the Saturday with us running the Starts but a great club atmosphere at the relays. While it is great to win, everyone is encouraged to go out and have a good time in the forest. Saturday was quite tough underfoot. The course had several intricate areas where I really had to concentrate - as did the forest for the relays. The quality of the orienteering and organising made the weekend well worthwhile.
Jo
Day 1 - lovely start officials! Nice course (C6), a bit odd that leg length didn't vary much. Car park / traffic / minibus - amazed that all of those worked but they did! Logistically quite difficult for start officials to run and help, can't help thinking that the start could have been near the finish. Day 2 - I didn't run due to an injured foot. It was quite difficult to find the event car parking - and I wasn't the only one!
Stephen
My first orienteering event after an absence of about 25 years! It was good to get out in the forests again and I had an enjoyable run in both the individual and relays. Thanks to BASOC for the warm welcome to the club.
Jez
Lovely forest - enjoyed the run - found it difficult to work out what features were on the map and which were too small - although I had difficulties in finding a couple of controls I was never completely lost - could not have managed without all the Tuesday / Wednesday O training sessions, thank you!
Pat
My first attempt at a TD5 course which was a challenge. Approached the course with the aim of 'completing' rather than 'competing'. Although slow (slightly quicker than snail's pace) I found all the controls and completed the course. Overall it was a very well planned and organised event in a super forest and fabulous weather. I discovered orienteering when I was 75 so it's never too late to have a go. The BASOC members have been fantastic in their support helping me learn the map skills leading up to yesterday's run. One of the benefits of orienteering is discovering lots of areas which I never knew existed. The Scottish Championships were run at Craig Leach outside Inverness. The tiny back road led us to the start - that alone was an experience as the view along Loch Ness was amazing. Now it's back to weekly training to iron out the errors and increase from snail pace to something a wee bit quicker.
Ray