Please read the updates to the final details, namely: course length changes for the City Race, course D will now start from the Meadows start and there are a number of busy roads to cross and we ask for your own safety that you take extra care.

Details attached are updated version as of 17/01/12

That's right folks the Big Weekend 2012 is almost upon us.  The final preparations are being made by the organising team and it is once again set to be a great weekend.  Please find attached below the final details for the weekend.

If you fancy giving orienteering a try and are joining us for the first time then here are some details that might make things a little clearer.

The event is held over two days.  This first event on Saturday the 21^st will be a race set around Edinburgh City Centre taking in some of the city’s most historic sites.  Alternatively if you just fancy giving it a wee shot and want to start with something a little less adventurous but just as much fun, we have a course planned solely within the grounds of Pollock Halls of Residence.  This means that you can take your children round in a safe environment and let them enjoy the challenge.  The event will be sign posted from Pollock main entrance, off Holyrood Park Rd, and signposts should guide you through the campus to the arena (there will also be marshals about wearing blue t-shirts so please ask them for a point in the right direction).

At the arena there will be a table which will have details on a variety courses available for you to choose from.  There will be people there to direct you on what to do next and how to get to the start, they will also give you an electronic timing device to record your time whilst running.

The cost for entering will be £9 for an adult and £4.50 for a student or child (alone or accompanied).

On Sunday there is the chance to experience Arthurs Seat in a way you never have before.  Once again there a variety of courses of varying distance and difficulty, our stewards will be more than willing to explain the different courses and help select which is best for you.  The arena will be situated on the playing fields behind the Palace and next to the Palace car park just off Queen’s Drive.

So why not come and join us, try something new and challenge yourself around our wonderful city.

Final Details

Many old and new faces braved the wind and wet of the Lake District on what was EUOC first weekend outing of the year.  First we tore up the streets of Penrith with many members putting in fine performances, most notably Ali's win on the men's open course followed by Hector and Simon and Cat's 3rd on the women's open.  We then headed into the depths of the Lakes and sprung some poor old unsuspecting waiter in a nice little cafe where we probably doubled the number of people he had served in his life.

In the dark and against a rally we thought we would keep up the theme of the day and do a bit of site seeing while JP tried to work out where we were, who needs a good old map when you have a fancy phone.  Once we had all piled into the accommodation we had a lovely meal provided by our very own secretary Chloe, JP then got taken on a magical mystery tour and we ended the night by introducing all to the true EUOC style with a few games.

The next day was set to be an epic, as the rain blew down the valley we all headed up Silver Howe in the driving rain for the start of the Tim Watkins Trophy.  Luckily everyone returned unscathed, with safety officer Kong handing out the plasters.  It was a brutal race which EUOC did not let defeat them taking home four prizes: Ali 2nd, Hector 3rd, Hollie 1st and JP 1st.  Special note goes to all those who were completing there first long-o and especially Jack who showed great perseverance in completing the men's open course.

A selection of photos courtesy of  Haze from the Sunday:

A rather productive day was to be had at the ESOA Champs in Livingstone

on Sunday 6th November. Though slightly damp underfoot, the course

proved to be a fast one with many courses having a lot of urban

orienteering. The forest navigation was also quite fast and not too

technical.

The weather appeared to decide that maps should remain dry. It gave us a

beautifully fair day throughout proceedings and beyond.

Some good runs were to be had by many in the club, with four trophies

being taken away by Rona Lindsay W18, Andrew Lindsay M18, Kirstin

Maxwell W20 and Jack Baker M20.

On Thursday 14th July, Lucy Fryer (ex Secretary) and Sarah Tullie (current Social Secretary) attended the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) Awards Dinner as representatives of EUOC as the club had been shortlisted, for the second year in a row, as team of the year.

We are pleased to announce that this year, EUOC won!!! This places the club as the top university sports club in Britain - of any sport. A huge achievement which has been possible by the hard work of all previous members. This follows a very successful year with a 1600% increase in beginners, and a BUCS record - winning every BUCS trophy 2 years in a row (as well as hosting the very enjoyable weekend). 19 coaches have also been qualified at UKCC Level 1 which has enabled a coaching project in 5 Edinburgh primary schools to go ahead, with EUOC members also mapping these schools. These are just a couple of the many achievements this year.

Thank you to BUCS and Kukri who presented the award, Edinburgh University Sports Union, British Orienteering Federation, Scottish Orienteering Association, the various coaches associated with the club including Toni Louhisola, and every person who has helped or contributed to EUOC in the past few years.