All were Score courses i.e. competitors could visit the controls in any order but to complete the task they needed to visit all the controls on their course.

1. Short (20 minute score) – extended to 30 minutes
2. Medium (30 minute score) - extended to 45 minutes
3. Long (45 minute score) - extended to 60 minutes

Controls were not the usual flags and punches, instead there were control circles on the front of the map and photos of the control sites on the back.
The competitors had to ‘collect’ a series of numbers and (on Medium & Long only), using mental arithmetic only (no calculators or phones), solve an equation on a specially produced control card.
Because of the underfoot conditions which made visiting some controls tricky, 2 answers on each course were provided and the time allowed was extended (and even then penalty points were waived in most cases.)

SHORT – 3 competitors visited all the controls and Abigail M got the most correct answers.

MEDIUM – 4 competitors visited all the controls (but no-one completed the calculation) but Anne got all but one of the answers right to win the course. The Aust family had to cut short their runs to get back to a Roast Chicken left behind in the oven.

LONG - 5 competitors visited all the controls and completed the calculation (as highlighted in yellow in the results), although Richard needed some help with the sums. Fastest of these was winner Tim G, 7 minutes ahead of Gary M and Jessica M.

Thanks to all who turned up in defiance of a forecast of poor weather, their reward was plenty of fantastic warming soup at the Gomersalls afterward, and a cuddle with baby Oliver R.

Jayne MacGregor      
4th January 2010