OSS June 2018(Botely)

The final event of 2017-2018 Oxford Street-O Series will be held around Botley. The event has been planned by Heather Walton, taking advantage of the late date and lighter evenings to use some of the many country paths around. So, you can run on sunlit paths through meadows, may see bunnies and should have views from the hills.

Event centre
The Event Centre will be at 11, The Garth, Botley, Oxford OX2 9AL. Note that there is pedestrian but not vehicle access from Westminster Way to Montagu Road. Parking is limited in The Garth so it is better to park in Montagu Road or Finmore Road or even better cycle or come on the bus. The 4A bus from Rose Hill and Iffley via the city centre stops in Finmore Road and the U1 from Headington and the city centre stops just after turning into Westminster Way. Many more buses from the city centre stop at Elms Parade on West Way (S1, X30, 4, 4B, 4C and probably others) at least every 10 minutes during the day; slightly less frequently later in the evening. You can find bus timetables for Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach online to check times that suit you. There is space in the garage for bikes. Although the map shows that Church Way does not connect, you can just go through the car park to the west of the shops.

Race Format
60 minute score (visit as many controls as you can and return within 60 minutes). Remember to bring a watch and a pen! Start times are between 6.30pm and 8pm, starting whenever you’re ready. See About Street-O a more detailed description. Even though the nights are now much brighter, if you start very late dusk descends and it is harder to read the clues and find the answers. If starting very late in gloomy weather (surely not?), a head torch will be useful as some paths are unlit and go under trees.

Terrain
Residential tarmac roads and paths, but also paths across fields. Nettles were minimal during planning but may grow up in rare places. There are definitely hills but contours are marked. The traffic can be busy in places so you must take care crossing all roads. The A34 should only be crossed using the subways.

Social & Food
As this is the final race of the season, there will be calculations, announcements and then prize giving for the various winners for the season. If you can, please stay after your run to congratulate the winners, commiserate with those who were close and to discuss routes, mistakes, the weather or anything else that takes your fancy.

There will be food provided by Heather for a small donation. Please let Heather (by first thing Tuesday morning) or Robin (earlier) know by email if you intend to partake so numbers and quantities can be estimated.