DIY Street-O - participants

Another lockdown-friendly exercise idea - how to add a bit of fun to your run

How to take part

Each week we will publish a map on our website - https://www.herts-orienteering.club/fixtures/diy-street-o/

You print the map (it's an A4 PDF file) and run the course whenever you're free. All you have to do is get to the start by public transport / foot / bike / car then go from Start to Finish (usually the same place) visiting as many of the control circles as possible. A time limit of 45 minutes is suggested, but if you want to do a shorter route, or take as long as you need to visit the lot, that's fine.

On the old maps there's a multiple choice question for each control circle that is intended to prove you've been there, but don't bother if you don't want to. If you're using GPS that's pretty good proof, and if not we'll believe you if you're certain you went there.

It's useful if you record your track using a GPS watch or your smart phone. We've also set the courses up so that they can be used with the MapRunF app, which gives you a beep each time you're in range of a control.

We're encouraging people to complete their run within the week the map is published. HH members have a Zoom call to chat about it at 8 pm each Tuesday. But if you want to do it later, or repeat one you've already done, or do one of the Post-O events from earlier in lockdown, that's absolutely fine.

And there's no charge to members! Non-members, you're welcome to have a go. If you enjoy it, we'd love you to join the club, or at least join our mailing list by dropping an email to publicity@herts-orienteering.club so we can let you know when more events restart.

Safety

These are activities registered with British Orienteering and covered by their third party insurance policy. We can't provide the safety checks we normally do, like counting people out and back. It's a suggestion as to how you can add a bit of interest to exercising. If you travel alone you should tell someone where you've gone.

It's up to you to decide whether it's safe for you or your children or vulnerable adults to run in that area. Most of the courses involve crossing roads with significant traffic so normal orienteering rules would require under 16s to be accompanied by a responsible adult. A few courses are wholly contained within parks so would be suitable for more people.

We may give you hints, like marking appropriate places to cross railway lines, rivers and the fastest roads. These are intended to augment, not replace, your common sense.

Always prioritise safety - your own and others' - over speed. Read any safety information provided with the map or on the map itself.

Uploading your track

If using the MapRunF app, your route will automatically be uploaded for you at the end of the run.

Organisers' Notes

Most of what is on the main Street-O page about planning still applies. There are some additional steps to get the course prepared and entered into the MapRun system but the Street-O coordinator typically takes this on. See here for more details.