- Final Results https://www.bko.org.uk/sites/default/files/results/2025/07-20
- Winsplits https://obasen.orientering.se/winsplits/online/en/default.asp?page=class...
- Routegadget https://www.bko.routegadget.co.uk/rg2/#192 (There were some problems with georeferencing of the map but using autofit and making small adjustments if necessary should get you close. (or drawing by hand.)
- BOF results page https://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/results?eday=85970
- For photograghs by David Jukes in a Flickr album, see: BKO Urban - 20 July 2025 | Flickr
Planner's comments
Birch Hill is a great urban area, with a variety of estate styles and many intricate blocks. I tried to give all the senior courses a taste of most of what the map has to offer, with a few longer legs and some twisty fine navigation towards the end when legs and brain are tiring. Many routes can look comparatively straightforward on the map, but there are often physical and visual obstructions to break your flow or divert you in ways you didn't anticipate.
From the comments I received at the finish, I think I achieved my main aim of reducing the proportion of "dead" running and kept you thinking most of the way round. Thank you to controller Craig for a few suggestions to improve the early draft courses and provide some additional 50/50 left or right choices - there was often only a few tens of metres difference between the options, so you just needed to pick one and get on with it (and then execute correctly, of course!). A small apology to those on Course 3 where one of my control number placements obscured some detail near control #61 - as a perfectionist I have slapped my own wrist for not spotting it.
Thanks to organiser Bo and BKO for allowing me to plan on such a fun area, and for finding my helpers for hanging and collecting controls. We were ready with time to spare before first starts and had all controls collected by 1430 - you all finished well within the official course closing time despite my "generous" optimum running distances, and most of you managed to dodge the worst of the showers. A good day all round.
Paul Fox, SN
Controller's Comments
Sunday was I think the second or third time I have controlled an event in South Hill Park and even though in know the area very well (I used to run through the area on my daily run when I worked nearby) I never get bored of controlling on the area. The area lends itself to either fine navigation through the lanes or finding a simple route round and the courses that Paul planned gave you that choice.
When controlling you always have to remind yourself that you are not the planner and can only suggest changes to the planner. Paul was very willing to receive my suggestions on course/leg changes and from the feedback everyone enjoyed the courses though some felt they were a bit long.
Finally a very big thank you to BKO and the helpers on the day as you all made the event run smoothly.
Craig Blackford, BADO
Organiser's comments
As mentioned by the Planner, Birch Hill is an excellent area for Urban orienteering. Thanks to Paul Fox and Craig Blackford (Planner & Controller) who did a great job in planning interesting courses.
Having the event centre at South Hill Park art centre makes life easier for an organiser too. Easy access to car park and facilities such as toilets and cafe. Thanks also to Bracknell Town Council who are always supporting in giving us permission to run orienteering events.
The event ran smoothly, our first aider literally had nothing to do so that is good news. All runners came back well before the 14:30 course closure time.
The area was clear when I left, I did not see any lost items. Let me know if you think you left something behind.
Please upload your route to Routegadget (link above).
Bo Oqvist, event organiser
