Essex Winter Midweek Series 2025/26 No.10 - Upminster

Wed 04th Mar 2026

Type of event: Local, Night, Score
Type of terrain: Parkland, Urban
League: HAVOC/SOS

Information updated: 6th Mar

Results

Info

Event 10 of the Winter 2025/26 street O series

The event will form part of the Essex Winter Midweek Series 2025/26.  Points will be awarded based on final score adjusted using an age/gender handicap system.  Best 6 results from the 10-event series will count for the league leaderboard.  Anytime catch-up for some events available for 2 weeks after the event, subject to an Anytime time penalty, on MapRun.  Bonus points for running on the night compared to Anytime.  Full results will be emailed via RaceSignUp and published on the SOS and HAVOC websites.

The event will be run strictly in accordance with published BOF and Government guidance.  It is a condition of entry that participants agree to follow the BOF COVID19 Participant Code of Conduct.

Participation is at your own risk.  Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Bring clothing and footwear appropriate for the weather conditions.  As with any street orienteering you are required to cross roads and you are asked to take due care and attention at all times.  High visibility clothing is strongly recommended. There may be dog walkers, cyclists or residents on pavements and footpaths – be aware and give them priority.  Some roads do not have pavements so take extra care.  As the race will take place in the dark, it is recommended to bring a torch/head torch.

Note: BOF insurance rules changed on 1st Jan 2026, so non members will no longer be covered by BOF public liability insurance.  Details here.

Post race: 

Venue for refreshments: Brewdog Upminster open until 11.00pm

Address: 18 Station Road, Upminster, RM14 2UD, England

Location

Location map

Nearest town: Upminster

Directions / Parking

The event starts and finishes at: Brewdog Upminster.

Address: 18 Station Road, Upminster, RM14 2UD, England

What3 Words location: ///forest.gangs.become

 

This is located on the main road 5 minutes walk from Upminster Station which is served by C2C trains (30 minutes to Southend and 20 minutes to London Fenchurch Street), the District line and the London Overground Romford to Upminster line

 

There are numerous car parks near the Brewdog bar in Upminster. Check the RingGo App for details as prices do vary.

(Nearest are Upminster Station Car Park RM14 2TD and Roomes Car Park RM14 2YX)

There is free parking after 6.00pm in some of the surrounding residential streets.

Facilities

Toilets in pub for customers

Newcomers welcome. Help and guidance available.

Terrain Description

Map: OOM urban  

Controls will mostly be fire hydrants; some will be home made signs, or other pieces of street furniture. If MapRun fails, you need to record the lower number on fire hydrants, or otherwise as indicated.

Registration & Start Times

Start at times between 6.30pm and 7.30pm.  Competitors must report to the finish by 9pm. 

Course Information

One Score course

Two time limits - Long (60 mins), Short (40 mins)

There are 40 controls to locate around Upminster. Each is a fire hydrant sign some (four) being homemade. Controls can be taken in any order, and control weighting is varied: 11 to 19 being 10 points, 21 to 29 being 20 points, 31 to 39 being 30 points, 41 to 48 being 40 points and 51 to 56 being 50 points.

For ease of identification points are equivalent to the first digit of each numbered control.

There is a penalty of 30 points per minute or part minute if you are late back over the time limit. 

As you are using MapRun then you will not need to record answers on a control card. However, if the app doesn't register your visit then you need to record the lower number on the H sign, or other reference as directed.

Entry Details

On Racesignup

£4 Seniors, £2.00 under 21 or students.  Additional £1 levy if not a member of BOF, to cover insurace costs.

We are going to run this event using the MapRun software.  Therefore, please use a smartphone (or Garmin watch) and ensure you have latest version of MapRun installed and the course is downloaded to your phone/watch before you arrive.  No competitive scoring is available manually, but you are still welcome to run without using MapRun, and manaual scoring/timing will be used.

Note: All competitors will still recieve a paper map - no need to squint at your phone to see the route!

Details of how to obtain a copy of the app and how it works can be found here. 

There is also a HAVOC user guide on the HAVOC website.

Download the course onto the app by clicking on ‘Select Event', in the app, and following the menu path UK > Essex

The courses are:

Upminster Score 2026 Long

Upminster Score 2026 Short

The course map will not be visible on your phone until you receive the PIN number at Registration on the night. (Note – you do not need the PIN number to run using a Garmin watch).  There are no written answers required with MapRun and your result will be automatically downloaded when you finish. The full procedure will be explained at Registration.  Please ensure you notify the organiser that you have finished, so that safety checks can be completed.

If you are really unable to use MapRun, you are still welcome to take part by completing the control sheet with pen or pencil but be aware that this is a much slower method, and your score will be non-competitive. With this approach, timing will be manually by a traditional clock, and written answers will be checked by the planner.

Contacts / Officials

Organiser/Planner –  Graham Batty

Series Coordinator – David Float   Email: Tel: 07801 216634

Safety and Risk

A comprehensive risk assessment will have been carried out by the organiser, but participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event.

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