Report by David Rawle member of Border Liners

Striking lucky with the weather again, Border Liners held their second club event of the late summer on the fells above Askham. Following protocols and requirements set down by British Orienteering, the club provided socially distanced start and finish procedures for nearly 170 orienteers to take part on five separate courses.

Showing his class as an international orienteer, Alastair Thomas of the Edinburgh University Orienteering Club took first place around the 10.2km (180m climbing) Brown course in a time of 48.45. He was followed in second and third places by Zac Hudd (West Cumberland Orienteering Club) and Jamie Parkinson (Teviot Valley Orienteering Club) with times of 49.11 and 52.38 respectively. Border Liner James Chapman came a very respectable sixth with 62.40.

West Cumberland orienteer Michael Billinghurst took gold around the 6.8km (120m climbing) Blue course in a time of 47.01 with an excellent second place for Border Liner James Daplyn (48.17). Making the most of his running fitness on the fellside course, Owain Rice of the Liners scored a well-deserved fifth in a time of 55.28. Junior runner Herbie Ashworth (WCOC) was a clear winner of the 4.5km (70m climbing) Green course in a time of 29.48 with experienced Border Liner Chris Lates claiming a top ten position with 42.06.

Ellie Darlow of the Roxburgh Reivers Orienteering Club won the 3.6km (50m climbing) Short Green course in 38.59 with Border Liner Jane Yates fourth in 59.41. Continuing to gain orienteering experience Abigail Pantry meanwhile claimed fifth place around the 3.8km (70m climbing) Orange course. The winner of the Orange course was Ben Todhunter (South Ribble Orienteering Club) and their respective times were 55.08 and 65.07.

Border Liners next fixture is another club event and is scheduled for Saturday 24th October on Binsey Fell. It will take place subject to prevailing Covid-19 restrictions at the time and will be by advance entry only with no entries taken on the day.