Just over 20 runners turned out to run the map encompassing the University and St John’s College. New buildings, extended buildings, new paths, a fence demolished and drain filled in meant that there were numerous map corrections but none was particularly critical to route selection or navigation. More crucial was the fact that two of the three courses had runners going right through the middle of a private drinks function being held outside the Academy of Performing Arts. Reports suggest that party goers were very helpful in calling out the code for the control secreted in their midst. That’s the things about maps – they don’t necessarily give a guide to current events!

The other distinctive feature of the courses was that I had potentially sent runners through the middle of a St Johns cricket practice! Would that explain some of the slower times recorded?

Still, no-body complained, there were several complimentary comments about the course setting and at least some of the heat had gone out of the day by the time runners set off. All in all, a good afternoon, even if one control went AWOL by the end of the day.  

-Neville