Essex Winter Midweek Series - Chelmsford

Event overview

The Essex Winter Midweek Series No 7 takes place on Wednesday 21 January in Chelmsford. The event is part of the Essex Winter Midweek Series 2025/26 and uses MapRun for timing and route validation. Fifteen entries are recorded at the time of the notice.

Courses and format

• 5.4 km (Long)
• 3.4 km (Short)

Course distances are listed but also marked as TBC. This is a line event: controls must be visited in the correct order and courses are measured as direct distances between controls, so runners will cover more ground than the listed distances. Control sites are fire hydrants. Routes use roads, footpaths, some well-lit alleyways and, on the Long course, public parks. Where routes cross 40 mph roads there will be compulsory crossing points through subways.

Scoring and rules

Points contribute to the 10-event league; best 6 results count. Finishing times are adjusted by an age/gender handicap system. Each missed or incorrect control incurs a 5 minute penalty. An on-the-night running bonus and an Anytime catch-up option on MapRun are part of the scoring system; Anytime runs carry a time penalty.

Logistics and safety

The assembly is at The Rising Sun, 232 New London Road, Chelmsford, CM2 9AE. There is no pub parking; free parking is possible on Moulsham Street and limited free parking is available at a nearby Tesco subject to strict enforcement. An open orienteering map is printed on waterproof paper and shows additional detail. The event requires MapRun on a smartphone or a compatible Garmin device; the map on the phone is released at registration with a PIN. A head or hand torch is compulsory for this night event. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Toilets and food are available at the pub. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.