British University Championships Orienteering

Last weekend, ShUOC travelled to the lake district to compete in BUC's Orienteering. It was a fine turnout from ShUOC with members representing both the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University. 

The individual race took place on Loughrig, a tough open hillside with lots of detail. This produced some fantastic orienteering for both the experienced members of the club fighting for medals and the beginners fighting to complete their course. 

John Rocke finishing the mens race

The stand out performers of the day were Anwen Darlington, who took the silver medal in the womens class, and John Rocke, who's early mistake cost him a medal, finishing in 5th place in the mens. After the individual race, The University of Sheffield was in 2nd place behind Edinburgh University. 

The relays took place on classic lake district orienteering area Bigland. Offering a different challenge from the individual the fast but tricky forest offered great challenges to competitors. In the mens race, Sheffield Hallam's tactics of sending their strongest runners out first saw them fighting for the lead after two legs but a great run by John Rocke saw The University of Sheffield take a silver medal with Hallam pushed down to fourth. In the womens race, Anwen Darlington led The University of Sheffield into fourth place behind an Edinburgh clean sweep of the podium.

Overall The University of Sheffield managed 2nd place behind Edinburgh university. In all it was a fantastic weekend of orienteering organised by Cambridge Orienteering Club.

Results      Nopesport article      Photos (courtesy of Ian Buxton)