Online entries are closed. Entry on the day will be available for White up to Green courses, but places are very limited. You may not get your first choice of course.
To avoid printing this webpage, here is a printable one page summary of the location and key information.
Rushmere Country Park is south-west of the village of Heath and Reach, and is signposted from the Flying Fox roundabout on the A5.
Postcode LU7 0EB.
What3words: sardine.balconies.erupts
Leighton Buzzard station has a good train service. From there it's about 3.5km to the event location. The bus to Heath and Reach does not run on Sundays.
Standard Greensand Trust car parking charges apply. Pay on exit at the machines near the cafe. Cards and coins accepted.
We do not plan to marshal the car park.
The start is close to the car park. Pre-entered competitors can use the attached map to navigate directly to the start. For entry-on-day, and to collect hired dibbers, visit Registration and Enquiries in the meadow close to the visitor centre. Last start 12:30. Keys and clothing can be left at Registration at your own risk.
Finish and download will be in the meadow close to Registration.
Public toilets are available at the Visitor Centre adjacent to Registration.
The Tree Tops Cafe in the Visitor Centre will welcome your custom. Please change your shoes if necessary.
| Course | Distance (km) | Climb (m) | EAL Age group | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | 1.3 | 20 | very easy, suitable for young beginners | |
| Yellow | 1.9 | 45 | M10, W10 | easy, suitable for confident youngsters |
| Orange | 2.8 | 85 | M12, W12 | suitable for adult novices and improving youngsters |
| Light Green | 3.5 | 80 | M14, W14 | suitable for confident novices |
| Short Green | 3.5 | 90 | M75, M80, M85, W65, W70, W75, W80, W85 | suitable for experienced orienteers not wanting distance |
| Green | 4.1 | 135 | M70, W16, W55, W60 | suitable for experienced orienteers |
| Short Blue | 5.0 | 145 | M65, W18, W20, W45, W50 | suitable for experienced orienteers |
| Blue | 6.3 | 150 | M16, M18, M20, M45, M50, M55, M60, W21, W35, W40 | suitable for experienced orienteers |
| Brown | 8.5 | 190 | M21, M35, M40 | suitable for experienced orienteers |
The terrain is attractive forest, mostly runnable, and quite hilly. The area was used for the British Middle Distance Championships in 2022 and can be recce'd on Routegadget.
Map: 1:7,500 A4. Brown and Blue maps are double-sided.
Loose control descriptions will be available.
Electronic (SI) controls will be used, with contactless punching enabled. Punching start and finish.
Start times will be between 10:30am and 12:30pm. Courses close at 2:00pm. Please consider this when choosing a start slot.
As always, don't forget to download, even if you retire.
Results will be available at www.smoc.info as soon as possible after the event.
Rushmere is frequently used by horse riders, dog walkers, mountain bikers and walkers. Please treat all forest users with courtesy.
In particular, please remember that horses have evolved to escape from predators. If you emerge suddenly and unexpectedly from the woods, particularly at the periphery of vision, this may cause a horse to start or bolt.
First Aid is available at Enquiries.
Nearest A&E is at Milton Keynes University Hospital, Standing Way, Eaglestone MK6 5LD, roughly 15 km from the event.
Please keep dogs under control in the car park and assembly area. Dogs are allowed on courses provided you can reliably control them; if "just being friendly" might appear threatening to horses, other dogs, runners, children or bicycles, then please don't bring them.
In case of extreme weather on the day of the event please check the event is still on at www.smoc.info
SMOC members are encouraged to help out and earn a discount on their run. If you'd like to volunteer, please contact Dorien for the helper discount code before entering.
If you are new to orienteering and wish to join SMOC you can join online via the BOF website here.