LongO Series 1

This weekend a CNOC team headed up North for the first of the LongO Series, hosted by the Director of Elite Orienteering, Ivan Millar.

Ivan bests sums up the series

The series will help to prepare our Irish seniors and the more experienced juniors to compete on ’classic’ distance orienteering courses. Using the same classic scale maps as will be found at most major European competitions this coming summer (1:15000). However, it’s not all about the elites! The Long O races will be open to all runners capable of meeting the physical and technical challenge of the classic distance.

There are 3 events in the Series. Gortalughany, Carlingford and Meelmore (its 3 maps in one!)

Tony Lawlor (CNOC) in the runnable bit of terrain!

The first race, held yesterday was planned by Greg McCann (LVO) and the courses were well recieved by all. The Long course was 13km, and on paper, it doesn't seem that long considering the rumors were of a 17km monster. Considering, it was won in the guts of 2hrs, I think every felt it was long enough.

CNOC orienteers as usual came out strong with Colm Hill first across the line, closely followed by Ruairi Short. Johnathon McCloy from Queens Uni finished off the top 3. Conor Short was the 5th across the line and first junior. Don crossed the line, 4mins in front of Ruth (there was the possibility of a few sneaky pints that may have swung the result in Don's favour). In the Middle Distance race (still +10k!) Tony Lawlor crossed the line in 5th, behind a gang of Irish Juniors who are all looking for JWOC selection. Jack Millar put down a commanding performance winning by 7mins.

Full results here

There are write ups on the race from Colm and Ruairi including their maps with route choices down the bottom. (click on the names).

Photos located here