The Greater London Orienteering Summer Series
18th June to 23rd July
Orienteering is a challenging outdoor adventure sport that exercises both the mind andthe body.
GLOSS is a series of races run by the clubs in and around London. There are two courses: the GLOSS course which is about 3½ to 4½ km (with optional extension to around6 km) and is of moderate navigational difficulty and a ‘Yellow’ course which is about 2km with easier navigation.
Navigate between control points – you decide the best route inorder to complete the course in the quickest time.
Beginners welcome!
Start times are generally between 10.00 and 12.00. SIAC contactless punching enabled throughout.
Adults and groups £5 to £8 depending on area; juniors and families on’yellow’ course £3. £1 for hire of electronic timing ‘tag’.
Links to the full details of each event via the linked websites.
| Date | Venue | Public transport | Club | |
| Sun | 18 June | Gunpowder Park | Results GLOSS Scoring | |
| Sun | 25 June | Lloyd Park, Croydon | DFOK | |
| Sat | 1 July | Nomansland | Results GLOSS scoring | HH |
| Sun | 9 July | Epsom Downs | Results GLOSS scoring | MV |
| Sun | 16 July | Streatham Common | Results GLOSS scoring | SLOW |
| Sun | 23 July | Hampstead Heath | Results GLOSS scoring | LOK |
Hampstead Heath 23rd July 2023
Hampstead Heath is a top-notch area for orienteering and the course, planned by Richard Lloyd (LOK), made sure we experienced the full orienteering challenge of navigating through tricky woods. The smell was of proper forest. The previous day’s rain meant that the ground had some give but wasn’t muddy – just perfect. Athletic challenge was thrown in by the need to scale over large tree trunks, for example on the exit from control #5. Sunny intervals and 20c made it perfect for summer orienteering.
Thanks also to Charles Spence for organising and Simon Errington (HH) for controlling.
92 competitors completed the GLOSS course of 3.6km, 65m climb and 14 controls – 94 if you include the planner and the controller (who both also ran the Extension course). Quickest were Tim (M35) and Sarah Scarbrough (W40) of MV in 21:07 and 28:46 minutes respectively. Tim hit the sweet spot of coming in within the expected winning time of 20-22 minutes.
Unhandicapped results (thanks to Paul Todd) and RouteGadget are available on our website. You can use Routegadget to show the planner where you went and review others’ routes.
For handicapping purposes competitors are awarded points based on how well on the day they outdo their average ranking scores across all British Orienteering (BO) ranking events over the past year instead of their best six. Full details of the handicapping approach is here and the list of average scores for all BO members as at 16 June 2023 is given in the penultimate column, here. Unranked competitors are each assumed to perform at 0.95 against expectations.
Quickest on handicap ie the individual whose ratio of actual event points to expected points based on their current ranking was Bob Reed (M70) of MV with an outperformance ratio of 1.520. Handicapped results are here. Any scoring queries to Paul Todd.
6 clubs were able to field full teams with SLOW recording their second event win in a row, followed by HAVOC and HH third.
Series points are as below. HAVOC were already unbeatable going into the final event. HAVOC thereby retain the coveted London Bus Trophy for the six time in a row: 2017 to 2019 and 2021 to 2023. HAVOC were re-presented with the coveted London Bus Trophy by myself just before 1300 – see picture. Thanks to Zbig for providing some cold bubbly (Shloer pink non-alcoholic sparkling juice drink) to celebrate the occasion!
Congratulations to that select band of competitors who made it to all six events. HAVOC had no less than 7 competitors who achieved this feat: David Float, Zbig Gebka, Guy Lidbury, Chris Prince, Jennifer Gebka, Graham Batty and Colin Jackson. In addition, David LeFevre (DFOK) and Anthony Flick (LOK) obliged for their clubs.
That’s it for this year – the 2023 series has been the first one in many years that has featured six events but as successful as ever. In the meantime if you have any comments on the GLOSS series guidelines which covers all aspects of the series including handicapping please catch me at an event or email me.
Meanwhile, LOK are organising the British Sprint Relay Championships on Sunday, 17 September 2023 at Brunel University. Full details here. Mugs emblazoned with the following logos to be won by each member of a team placing first, second and third, including Ad-hoc teams comprising of at least one woman and 2 others from any club! We are offering a matching service for those unable to form a three-person team on their own.
Catherine Galvin – GLOSS 2023 series coordinator (LOK)
Streatham Common 16th July
GLOSS returned to Streatham Common and Norwood Grove for the first time since 2013, a site that was recorded in the Doomsday Book. Streatham Common once formed part of the Great North Wood that stretched from Selhurst to Deptford, so we were treated to some ancient woodland as well as open running across ornamental grounds. In fact, the route to the first control took one through the Rookery, a Grade II listed historic garden, with the control hidden away at the bottom in a corner.
Thanks to Heather Findlay for organising and Carys Morgan for planning. Everything was organised very summerly in the outside precinct of the Rookery Cafe. Unhandicapped results (thanks to Gordon Parker) and RouteGadget available on SLOW’s website. You can use Routegadget to show the planner where you went and review others’ routes.
Quickest on the 3.4km, 100m climb, 14 control course were Harold Wyber (M35) of CHIG and Vinh-Phuong Hoang (W31) of SLOW in 19:58 and 24:51 minutes respectively. Harold’s winning time would have been within the GLOSS expected winning time range of 20-22 minutes, had it not been for the decision to exclude leg 7-8. On the map was shown two choices of running round a walled off enclave, adjacent to the White House (also Grade II listed), where control #8 was located but a gate was left open pretty much on the direct line to the control. Some competitors took advantage of the gate not shown on the map, so in fairness to everybody, the leg has been excluded from the results.
For handicapping purposes competitors are awarded points based on how well on the day they outdo their average ranking scores across all British Orienteering (BO) ranking events over the past year instead of their best six. Full details of the handicapping approach is here and the list of average scores for all BO members as at 16 June 2023 is given in the penultimate column, here. Unranked competitors are each assumed to perform at 0.95 against expectations.
Quickest on handicap ie the individual whose ratio of actual event points to expected points based on their current ranking was Paul Blagbrough (M75) of MV with a ratio of 1.251. Five clubs fielded a full team of at least six successful competitors for the handicap competition. SLOW, the hosts prevailed against HAVOC, current holders of the London Bus Trophy, with DFOK again in third place.
We are working out the leader board ahead of the final event to establish whether HAVOC can be beaten. The best 4 out of 6 events to count to win the prestigious trophy.
Full handicapped results are here. Any scoring queries to Paul Todd at fixtures@londonorienteering.co.uk.
Entries are open at Fabian4 for LOK’s finale at Hampstead Heath on Sunday (23rd July), complete with prize giving of the London Bus Trophy. Bring your picnic!
Catherine Galvin – 2023 GLOSS series coordinator (LOK)
Epsom and Walton Downs 9th July
GLOSS returned to the iconic location of Epsom & Walton Downs for the first time since 2003 when the series was called FROLICS (First Running Of the London Inter-club Championships). The going was very agreeable underfoot thanks to the heavy rainfall the previous day and several softened tracks for the racehorses. The temperature was a perfect 19c. The orienteering was a mix of cantering across downland and navigating one’s way along minor paths through verdant woods. Highlight of the course was control #10, a City of London Coal Duty Post dating back to 1845. Also of note was control #12, a re-entrant with seemingly no contours in the control circle, albeit there was clearly a re-entrant on the ground. The contour lines depicting the re-entrant were, when you looked more closely, either side of the control circle.
Thanks to Justin Farhall of MV for both planning and organising and Philip Gristwood for controlling and updating the map. Entries for the GLOSS courses topped 100 for the first time in the series. Everything was organised very smoothily from the 7-furlong car park.
Unhandicapped course results (thanks to Mike Elliot) and RouteGadget available on MV’s website. You can use Routegadget to show the planner where you went and review others’ routes.
Quickest on the 4.3km, 95m climb, 15 control course were Tim Scarbrough (M35) of MV and Abi Weeds (W45) of SLOW in 26:52 and 31:23 minutes respectively.
For handicapping purposes competitors are awarded points based on how well on the day they outdo their average ranking scores across all British Orienteering (BO) ranking events over the past year instead of their best six. Full details of the handicapping approach is here and the list of average scores for all BO members as at 16 June 2023 is given in the penultimate column, here. Unranked competitors are each assumed to perform at 0.95 against expectations.
Quickest on handicap ie the individual whose ratio of actual event points to expected points based on their current ranking was Jemima Hayward-Bhikha (W21) of SLOW closely followed by her sister Cecilia (W18) with ratios of 1.326 and 1.152 respectively. Eight clubs fielded a full team of at least six successful competitors for the handicap competition. HAVOC, current holders of the London Bus Trophy, prevailed against SLOW. This time DFOK was in third place.
So after 4 events, HAVOC are well ahead in the series with 78 points, followed by DFOK with 71 points. Positions however could change as it is best 4 out of 6 events to count.
Full handicapped results are here. Any scoring queries to Paul Todd at fixtures@londonorienteering.co.uk.
Entries are open for next Sunday’s Gloss, SLOW’s event at Streatham Common on Sunday, 16th July and LOK’s finale at Hampstead Heath on Sunday, 23rd July.
Catherine Galvin – 2023 GLOSS series coordinator (LOK)
(Scoring update. The scoring for event 4 has been slightly modified due to an edge case when calcuating the 90% threshold. The net result is version 1.1 of the results which includes HH and MV swapping position in the scoring. Paul)
Normansland Common 1st July
The temperature was thankfully a moderate 18c which meant for comfortable running conditions at Nomansland Common, a happy mix of woodland and open common land. The hollows where in the past commoners dug clay for brick making make the area interesting for orienteering. Finding the best way into control number 14, a large depression inside an overgrown copse, proved to be tricky for some, including the series co-ordinator. Thanks to Ben Bardsley of HH for both planning and organising.
Unhandicapped course results (thanks to Kevin Parkes) and Routegadget are already available on HH’s website. You can use Routegadget to show the planner where you went and review others’ routes.
Quickest on the 4.0km, 55m climb, 16 control course were Chris Davidson (M40) of HH and Issy Hawks (W14) also of HH in 22:50 and 28:47 minutes respectively. Chris’s time was just a shade over the GLOSS expected winning time of 20-22 minutes. Well done to Issy – this is the first time that a junior has been quickest female on the GLOSS course.
For handicapping purposes competitors are awarded points based on how well on the day they outdo their average ranking scores across all British Orienteering (BO) ranking events over the past year instead of their best six. Full details of the handicapping approach is here and the list of average scores for all BO members as at 16 June 2023 is given in the penultimate column, here. Unranked competitors are each assumed to perform at 0.95 against expectations.
Quickest on handicap ie the individual whose ratio of actual event points to expected points based on their current ranking was Brad Smith (M40) of HH with a ratio of 1.451. Three clubs fielded a full team of at least six successful competitors for the handicap competition. Hosts HH (with 47 successful GLOSS competitors!) prevailed against HAVOC’s twelve. This time LOK was in third place with eight.
Full handicapped results are here. Any scoring queries to Paul Todd at fixtures@londonorienteering.co.uk.
Entries are open for the upcoming GLOSS event next Sunday hosted by MV at Epsom Downs, home to the world-famous Derby. Entries are also now open for SLOW’s GLOSS at Streatham Common on Sunday, 16th July and LOK’s finale at Hampstead Heath on Sunday, 23rd July. So you can now fully book out your July with GLOSS.
Catherine Galvin – 2023 GLOSS series coordinator (LOK)
Photos courtesy David Dixon HH
Lloyd Park 25th June
The temperature was already 27C when DFOK opened courses early as competitors sought to avoid the blazing sunshine at Lloyd Park, an area with only odd pockets / strips of woodland. When it came to collecting controls the temperature had risen to a brutal 30C, which probably explained why more competitors opted for the GLOSS rather than the GLOSS plus extension course. Thanks to David Dawson and Andrew Evans of DFOK for respectively planning the courses and organising – exemplarily executed in accordance with the GLOSS / Purple Pen Guidelines
Unhandicapped course results (thanks to Philip Craven) and Routegadget are already available on DFOK’s website. You can use Routegadget to show the planner where you went and review others’ routes.
Quickest on the 3.4km, 125m climb, 17 control course was Harold Wyber (M35) of CHIG and Julie Cleary (W55) of LOK in 23:03 and 36:46 minutes respectively. Harold’s time was just a shade over the GLOSS expected winning time of 20-22 minutes, thanks no doubt to the hot weather.
For handicapping purposes competitors are awarded points based on how well on the day they outdo their average ranking scores across all British Orienteering (BO) ranking events over the past year instead of their best six. Full details of the handicapping approach is here and the list of average scores for all BO members as at 16 June 2023 is given in the penultimate column, here. Unranked competitors are each assumed to perform at 0.95 against expectations.
Quickest on handicap ie the individual whose ratio of actual event points to expected points based on their current ranking was Danni Angelova (W55) of DFOK with a ratio of 1.445. Four clubs fielded a full team of at least six successful competitors for the handicap competition. Hosts DFOK prevailed against HAVOC, current holders of the London Bus GLOSS trophy, with SLOW again in third place.
Full handicapped results are here. Any scoring queries to Paul Todd at fixtures@londonorienteering.co.uk.
Entries are open for the upcoming GLOSS event next Saturday hosted by HH at Nomansland Common, a fine way to celebrate the start of July.
Catherine Galvin
2023 GLOSS series coordinator (LOK)
Gunpowder Park 18th June
Sunny humid weather, together with little or no tree cover, translated into fatiguing conditions for the inaugural event of the 2023 GLOSS series at Gunpower Park, a venue last used for GLOSS in 2019. Competitors were treated to a super-sized A3 map of the area that was once a Royal Ordnance site used for munitions testing. Thanks to Adam Dent of CHIG for planning the courses and Ray Curtis for organising.
Unhandicapped course results and Routegadget are now available on CHIG’s website. You can use Routegadget to show the planner where you went and review others’ routes.
Quickest on the 3.3km (as the crow flies!), 14 control course were Rob Patterson (M35) of SLOW and Vin-Phoung Hoang (W21), both of SLOW in 18:49 and 26:08 minutes respectively. Rob’s time was just under the GLOSS expected winning time of 20-22 minutes, thanks no doubt in part to recent mowing of the long grass.
For handicapping purposes competitors are awarded points based on how well on the day they outdo their average ranking scores across all British Orienteering (BO) ranking events over the past year instead of their best six. Full details of the handicapping approach is here and the list of average scores for all BO members as at 16 June 2023 is given in the penultimate column, here. Unranked competitors are each assumed to perform at 0.95 against expectations.
Quickest on handicap ie the individual whose ratio of actual event points to expected points based on their current ranking was Judith Armitt (W70) of SAX with a ratio of 1.127. Two clubs fielded a full team of at least six successful competitors for the handicap competition. HAVOC, current holders of the London Bus GLOSS trophy, prevailed over HH by a clear margin, with SLOW in third place.
Full handicapped results are here. Any scoring queries to Paul Todd at fixtures@londonorienteering.co.uk.
Entries are open for next Sunday’s event, hosted by DFOK, at Lloyd Park, a fine way to celebrate Mid-Summer.
Catherine Galvin
2023 GLOSS series coordinator (LOK)
The GLOSS course is also the basis of an inter-club competition to win the prestigious London Bus trophy. Best six handicapped times for each club at each event score.
Handicapping system based on how well you perform against the average of your ranking points according to the Ranking Scheme
Contact for GLOSS series: catherine.galvin@pergament.co.uk
The ranking list extract for the 2023 series is here.
For Organisers:
The latest GLOSS Guidelines for event organisers are here. Plus GLOSS Purple Pen Guidelines.
