Orion 15

TillyP

Anyone ever done this. Whats it like??

TillyP

Nobody???

Ultra AJH

Not done it Tilly P but saw a flyer for it the other day and it mentioned a cut off....3hrs I think.

Since it looks like a tough race this put me off somewhat!

TillyP

Yeah must admit, thats putting me off at the mo, mmmm may just stick to sunday running with my club then.

Thanks AJH

SusieBee

AJH, it can't be any tougher than the Benfleet 15 surely....?! (Btw, good to see you at Great Bentley and well done again on your shiny new PB)

Thinking about giving this a go as I've missed out on the Cranleigh 21 and, depending on the toughness of the course, 15 miles of this could be worth 18 on a regular (flat) course.

Ultra AJH

Thanks Susie, you are right I suppose it must be on a par with Benfleet....I guess I was feeling a bit tired when I read the leaflet!

So actually 3 hrs is not unachievable then.

SusieBee

Just found the results of last year's race: the 1st male and female did 1:30 and 1:53 respectively, and the last finisher did 2:47, so there shouldn't be any problem with the 3 hour cut-off, least not for someone as quick as you, AJH!

I guess that means that it might be slightly tougher than Benfleet. Hmmm....

Ultra AJH

You know I suppose it could be a possibility!

Got to sit down at the weekend and sort my schedule out, somewhere I seem to have lost a week so I must rejig it and make sure I get my 3 20 milers in. Oh fun.

Ultra AJH

oh, and I see you just turn up! Gosh.

[Deleted User]

No, AJH - you have to enter in advance, entry form is on their website.

Deadline is 11th March.

Ultra AJH

Oh! Got that wrong then.

But still time to think about it.

[Deleted User]

A great race in the beautiful Epping forest
all 15 are cross country so studs or lots of grip on footwear. Cut off point is 1hour & 30mins at 9 mile point, undulating course
with loads of beer next door to club house. entry into race by Donation/Contribution with race form on orion web-site entrys will close 19th march

Sacha Ackland

Having done both this and Benfleet I would say it is comparable to Benfleet in terms of toughness. It is quite hilly so tough if its muddy, but it doesn't have the constant headwind of Benfleet. It's a beautiful course. And finishes literally right next door to a pub.

TillyP

ok Ive changed my mind and sent my form in, did Benfleet in 2.47 so hoping to beat that.

See you there

Ultra AJH

Oooh Tilly me too, if its not worse than Benfleet I am in!

TillyP

AJH got my number now

Did you enter?

Ultra AJH

Oh yes I sent off last Thursday.....was hoping it would get there on time, have not had anything yet.

Ultra AJH

Got mine today.

TillyP

Great, c u there

Ultra AJH

Did you go Tilly? I wasnt sure as I have been carrying an injury but I needed the miles so just did it in around 2.30. I found it harder than Benfleet but a grat course nonetheless.

Thanks as always to the(very patient) marshalls and organisers.

[Deleted User]

Hard, hard, hard . . . ! But very enjoyable, despite being bugged with stomach cramps/stitch from mile 8 on.

Huge thanks to the marshalls and organisers - must have been a bit grim in the rain waiting for us tail-enders to stagger in.

Back next year.

[Deleted User]

Very tough but very enjoyable. Thanks to all involved for the organisation.

TillyP

Cor it was tough wasnt it.

Yep AJH I did it, 2.47! very pleased especially with those poxy hill!

Marshalls were excellent - thanks guys.

Ultra AJH

Well done Tilly, yes getting up (and down) those hills was an acheivement. I dont know why I am always so suprised when I do xc and there are lots of hills but I am never quite ready for them!

[Deleted User]

We're glad you enjoyed yourselves, folks! It IS a very tough course, with our hills and mud - but Epping Forest is lovely... if you had time to look around. :-)
I was amazed to see that so many folk who missed the cut-off at 9 miles were enjoying themselves so much that they ran on!

For anyone interested, Results can be found here:
http://www.orionharriers.org.uk/

[Deleted User]

I can see why Roddy loves the mountains, as I thought that is what we were ascending at about the 11 mile mark! He was an absolute star keeping me going (with chocolate and water) as the "last man in" I must admit I was tempted to climb into his rucksack for the last 3 miles though. Very well organised, with all the extra deep mud put round the course especially on the hills!

TillyP

Must admit, Im surprised I wasnt asked to stop when going through 9 miles slower than 1.30.

Glad you let us keep going (wasnt at the time). Organisation was excellent - thanks again.

AJH well done you too!

[Deleted User]

I don't know how I missed this thread before the race, but I did.

Anyway, I managed 1.54, which I was pretty pleased with. I did 2.09 last year, but I was in the group that got misdirected and ended up doing the Orion 16 on that occasion!

It's a great race, which is why we come back every year. We'll be there again next year!

[Deleted User]

I've added some race foties to the website 15 of them (but, of course!).
Slow to load though... even with broadband.
Mostly of the leaders after that 11 mile hill... and a couple at the start.

Ultra AJH

How did you know if you missed the cut off?

Did someone say something to you? Didnt hear them if they did!

TillyP

Me neither AJH