Thame Urban Race 2024

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It's back! After 2018 and 2019's very popular events, the Thame Urban Race returns in 2024, with new courses. Supported by Thame Town Council, we've expanded the map, taking in some newer areas of Thame. It's ideal for families and children, as well as runners (it's absolutely fine to just come and have a walk around a course!).

It's an exciting urban race with a twist around the streets, paths, alleys and parks. There are no set routes to the courses and you have to find your own way between a series of checkpoints around the town, as fast as you can, using a special detailed orienteering map, and a timing chip to register each one.

No experience is necessary and plenty of help from our friendly Welcome Team is available on the day. Pre-entries only, via the link below.

For experienced orienteers, this race is also part of the South England Orienteering Urban League.

Enter here: https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?event_id=13994

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PARKING
Pay-and-display car parks in Thame. There are large car parks in the High Street and in the Cattle Market car park. Parking in Town Centre/High Street area is free on Sundays; charges apply to Cattle Market and Southern Road car parks.

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RACE HQ
Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall, High Street, Thame, OX9 3DP. Located centrally in Thame, a short walk from all car parks.

Enter online (link will be available shortly), then just turn up on the day and, if it's your first event, our friendly Welcome Team will explain what to do and give you some tips.

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TERRAIN
Medieval town centre around the Butter Market and Cornmarket, with lots of alleys; parkland including the picturesque Cuttlebrook Nature Reserve; and a complex 1970s residential estate (Lea Park) with a plethora of cul-de-sacs and open areas, linked by numerous alleys and paths, providing lots of route choices around the courses!

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START TIMES
Starts from 10.30 to 12.30. (Far Start, for courses 1 to 5 is about 1000m; Near Start for courses 6 and 7 is about 500m from Town Hall. Finish for all courses is adjacent to Near Start.)

Courses close 14.00, by which time you must have finished and downloaded at Race HQ.

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COURSES
Courses are measured by straight line distances between the checkpoints. You'll run/walk further, so we've put the optimal actual distance below too.

Course 1: 7.6 km (actual distance around 10.5 km)
Course 2: 7.1 km (actual distance around 9.7 km)
Course 3: 5.5 km (actual distance around 7.5 km)
Course 4: 4.8 km (actual distance around 6.5 km)
Course 5: 3.3 km (actual distance around 4.5 km)
Course 6: 3.5 km (actual distance around 4.5 km) ORANGE
Course 7: 1.8 km (actual distance around 2.0 km) YELLOW

You may enter any course you wish, apart from unaccompanied under 16s, who must enter Courses 6 or 7. To be competitive in the South England Orienteering Urban League (SEOUL), enter your age class as shown on our website (or run up). If you're not interested in this league, then just enter whatever length of course you fancy, by choosing this option on our entries system, e.g. "Course 4 Other" (or Orange or Yellow which are Courses 6 and 7 respectively).

As it's an urban event, the navigation is not as tricky as forest events, so none of the courses are particularly difficult, navigationally. Courses 6 and 7 are the easiest; all other courses are the same navigational standard, so just pick the length you prefer.

The maps for Course 7 are available before starting; for all other courses, you get your map as you start. Blank maps and lots of help will be available at Race HQ. Thame is pretty flat, so climb is negligible and will not affect any route choice.

We’ve suggested two classes for beginners (ORANGE & YELLOW), but feel free to enter any class, depending on what length you prefer. Course 6 crosses minor roads with a 30 mph limit, but with light traffic and good visibility. Course 7 is all around the paths in Cuttlebrook Nature Reserve.

Solo under 16s on the day may only enter Courses 6 or 7. Sorry - event insurance rules!
Solo 12s and under may only enter Course 7.

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HOW TO ENTER
Enter via this link to SiEntries: https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?event_id=13994

You must pre-enter, as there will be no entry at the event.

If you want to take part as a family group or a group of friends, you are welcome to do so. Just make one entry in one name. In the entry process, you will be asked for the names of the additional members. We recommend each person has a map, so they can follow where you are all going. You will automatically receive one map, but the entry process asks you if you would like extra maps - these cost £1 each. Note you will have one timing chip for the group, and you will appear just as one entry in the results.

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ENTRIES
UP TO SUNDAY 22ND DECEMBER:
Senior (British Orienteering member): £12
Senior (non-British Orienteering member): £14
Senior or Family group (on Yellow or Orange course): £8
Junior or Student: £4
Extra maps for groups: £1 each

ON OR AFTER MONDAY 23 DECEMBER will be subject to a surcharge of £2 for Seniors, £1 for Juniors and Students (and entry will be subject to maps being available)

Hire of a timing chip (SIAC contactless timer): £2

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MAP
Pre-printed on A3 waterproof paper, scale 1:4000.

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FACILITIES
Toilets and First Aid in Town Hall; lots of cafes, pubs, shops nearby.

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FIRST TIME? WHAT DO I DO ON THE DAY?
Firstly, a warm welcome!

Head to Race HQ at the Town Hall, to collect your timing chip and get some tips and help from our friendly Welcome Team, before you start your course. You'll receive your map at the Start, so, once you're ready, head over to the Start.

We use staggered starts, so you choose when you want to start - the start window is from 10:30am to 12:30pm, and you can choose a start window when you enter, to suit you. Everyone is timed around the courses, as it's not a head-to-head race. Results will be on our website later that day.

At the Start:
You'll get your map at the Start (apart from the easiest Course 7, which you get before you start). At the Start, you'll need to clear your timing chip by "dibbing" it into one of the "clear" boxes (they'll be well labelled) and the start officials will be on hand to ensure everyone does this. You'll see a grid laid out on the ground, with seven rows - each labelled with a course number (1-7). Just queue up behind the relevant one for your course number. Everyone starts at one minute intervals and the start officials will guide you as to what to do - just tell them it's your first event. Once you start, dib your timing chip into the Start box, then pick up your map and off you go! There'll also be club coaches at the start to provide any last minute tips.

Above all, enjoy yourself and have fun! Many people do get addicted to it, as everyone always makes mistakes (that's part of the fun!) - it's very rare to actually have a perfect run. We'd love to hear what you thought about the event too, so do post your comments and photos on the event page.