I feel like a fraud calling myself a fellrunner when I read something like this. The skill and commitment to get to this level is just....
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I find it very interesting/amazing that Oli Johnson often seems to run with a map in his hand (just based on pics of this race and the Langdale Horseshoe from 2010). It's one thing running this well, but running this well when you don't even know the route off the top of your head is stunning.
Results were prominantly displayed on the wall in the hall, right after the race....or even whilst some were still running.....so next time pop in and have a look, saves alot of stressing for yoruslef and moaning at people who've put on a great event.....I know, as I failed to look first time I did it !
How many times have you represented your country in Orienteering? the reason he is so good is that he doesn't make many mistakes. he doesn't make many mistakes because he doesn't wait to to go wrong or come to a decision making moment with out knowing the way. besides he may have had notes on bearings etc paces past a rock to pick up a good trod.
It's not that the route isn't already known, it's so, just incase something does go wrong, you don't have to go routing around in your bumbag - at least that's why I carried my map in hand all the way. Someone I passed commented on me obviously being a newby as I had a map in hand (I didn't see him after that until he finished way behind), but it's all about preventing losses, rather than limiting them - although with weather like Sunday there's little danger of making mistakes!
I used my map to keep me focused when I started getting a bit bored on Brown Knoll.
I also presume running with a map-in-hand is more comfortable to those of us who Orienteer a fair amount ;) -
I know some people use the Pike of Blisco Omap on Langdale/Swindale North Omap on last year's Saunders.
Sure, I see what you're saying.
I was really just making the point that normally, I imagine (I say I imagine, but really I'm pretty sure it's the case!), these races will be won by someone who knows the route like the back of his/her hand and wouldn't need to refer to a map at all. They'll know the trods and the rocks to look out for etc and just speed along. It struck me as being sort of more impressive that someone could win/do very well who doesn't know the route so well.
Maybe he did know the route like the back of his hand and I'm completely wrong, but there we go. Just the impression carrying a map creates.