24. SATURDAY 30 APRIL - THE RELAY

1. Introduction

The World Cup Relay Race will be held in the Surrey Heathlands close to Farnborough and Camberley, some 15km to the north-west of Guildford. The area, known to British orienteers as Mytchett and Old Windmill Hill, has been used for several major events in the past 20 years (including the British Championships in 1998) and provides an excellent venue for a top class relay competition. The terrain is part of the extensive military training area in West Surrey and we are indebted to Army Training Estates for access to the area. We are also indebted to the Officers and Staff of 25 Training Support Regiment for the use of their excellent facilities at Princess Royal Barracks, Deepcut.

2. The Terrain

The competition area, divided by a railway and the Basingstoke canal, comprises Old Windmill Hill to the north and Mytchett to the south. Scarred by the actions of military training and the local enthusiastic mountain bikers, numerous tracks and small excavations add to the navigational challenge. The forest on Old Windmill Hill has recently been thinned with the resultant brashings providing minor impedance to straight line running. The hill is predominantly mature deciduous and coniferous forest rising to 60m at its highest point.

South of the canal lies Mytchett, divided by a 25m high escarpment running north-south. The area to the east is a predominantly coniferous forest with little undergrowth, and only the remains of last summer's dead bracken to impede progress. To the west of the slope there is even less to reduce straight line speed through gentle re-entrants.

This area forms part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and is also subject to provisions of EU Habitats Regulations. Consequently, access for the competition at this time of year has been the subject of an Appropriate Assessment by English Nature and this included reviews by an independent ornithologist. We are grateful to English Nature and the Ministry of Defence for their help in this process. Access has been granted only on the basis that the most sensitive areas are declared "out of bounds". Such areas are clearly marked on the competition maps, and some may also be marked with red and white tape on the ground. These areas must be avoided by all competitors. If a competitor is seen in an out of bounds area, then the team will be disqualified.

All of the competition terrain is an Army Training area. The remnants of such training can be seen in many places and any suspicious objects should be avoided. Care needs to be taken at all times.

3. The Map

The map has been produced by Stirling Surveys. It is approximately A3 size (42 x 30cm), at 1:10,000 scale with 5 metre contour intervals. All out of bounds areas are clearly marked and must be avoided by all competitors.

4. The Courses (subject to final approval)

5. Team travel to and from the race

Journey time from the Event Centre to the car park is about 30 to 40 minutes, plus 5 minutes walk to the arena. Competitors and team officials can drive to the competitor car park.

6. Departure Time of Official Transport from The Spectrum

There will be one departure only from the Spectrum at 0900. Passengers will need to walk 400m from the arrival point to the Arena.

7. Return Time of Official Transport from the Race Arena

Official transport will leave at 1500 from the point where passengers were dropped.

8. Other Visitors travel to and from the race

All other visitors must use the main public Car Park, and walk 1000m from there to the Arena.

9. Travel Directions

All traffic must approach the event from the north. Leave Guildford northwards on the A322 (signs to Bagshot/Bracknell). At a roundabout 12km from Guildford, turn west onto B311 Red Road (signs to Frimley/Camberley). After 3.5km at next roundabout turn south onto B3015 Maultway (signs to Deepcut) and follow World Cup event signs for 3km to the car parks. (OS sheet 186; GR 906580). Total distance from Spectrum Event Centre is 20km.

10. Car Parks

Competitors and Team Officials only have a special parking area about 400m from the arena. Ignore the entrance to the main car park and follow signs for a further 600m towards the arena. The main car park for public and spectators is about 1000m from the arena.

11. The Race Arena

The race arena is situated on the large, flat sports field at the Barracks.

12. The Start Location / Procedure / Changeover

The start is in the arena. Competitors for Leg 1 will be called directly from the national team area 10 minutes before the start. SI cards will be cleared and checked as competitors enter the start area. Maps will be presented to competitors on the ground 3 minutes before the start. The start control is at the exit from the arena.

After the spectator control, competitors must drop their map for part 1, collect a new map for part 2 from the post with the correct team number, and then leave the arena to begin part 2.

Competitors for Legs 2 and 3 should remain in the national team area until after their previous runner has passed through the spectator control, then proceed to the changeover area, passing through SI card clear and check stations.

Competitors on Legs 1 and 2 must visit the final control (in the arena), drop their map then collect the map for their next runner, and hand it to him/her at the changeover line, then continue to the Finish.

Competitors on Leg 3 must visit the final control then continue directly to the Finish.

13. Drinks Points

There is a drinks point (water only) in the arena before the spectator control, next to the team area. Team officials can also provide special drinks at this point. There are two other drinks points (water only) at approximately 1.5km and 5.5km (except Women Leg 2).

14. Road, Railway & Canal Crossings & Mandatory Route

There are two road crossings across a public road in the southern part of the area. This road should be closed to traffic during the competition. Competitors can cross at any point.

For safety reasons, railways must be crossed using the bridges. All railways are strictly Out of Bounds. The canal can be crossed using bridges, which are shown on the map.

There is one mandatory route on all legs (except Women Leg 2) through a narrow area of private land and past some private houses.

15. Spectator Control, Television Controls & Team Official Area

There is one spectator control in the arena. All competitors will visit this control. There is a Team Official area at the drinks point before the spectator control.

There are two or three points in the forest for television film crews only. There are no spectator points outside the arena.

16. Finish

Legs 1 and 2: visit final control, drop your map, collect new map and give to the next runner, continue to the finish control, then to SI download and results.

Leg 3: visit the final control, then continue directly to the Finish. There is a light beam finish to record the time, then a SI finish control about 20m after the finish line. Then go to download and results. All maps will be collected.

17. Other information

There are showers, toilets and changing rooms for international competitors only in the gymnasium (100m from the international team area). Competitors must have their Identification Badge in order to use these facilities. Equipment and bags must not be left in the building either during or after your run. After using the facilities, please take all of your kit back to the team area in the arena.