JK 2023 Round up

From 7-10 April 2023 over 2,500 orienteers descended in the South Lakes for the annual Jan Kjellström International Festival of Orienteering 2023.

We asked David McCann (Coordinator), George Crawford-Smith (Relay Planner) and W45 winner Sarah Rollins on their perspectives from the event.

David McCann (Coordinator)

Work started a couple of years ago to deliver another memorable JK in the Lake District. It has not been without its problems, which many don’t seem to realise or appreciate the JK team had to deal with.

Storm Arwen put paid to the plans to use Graythwaite for 3 days, finding and securing permissions for alternative areas was achieved thanks to good contacts with key landowners at Bigland and High Dam. Other unseen issues that were managed were the presence of a SSSI on High Dam, and a landowner who planned to install new fences, with work in progress over the Easter weekend.

In February it was realised that the M21 course would be oversubscribed. Plans were made to split the entry over two similar courses, giving everyone the experience of running a long distance course on a 1:15000 map, excellently remapped by Martin Bagness.

The weather was kind to us all weekend although relay day threatened to be wet. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves on the challenging courses, despite a few incidents of where runners crossed the uncrossable. To help educate those who may not be aware, this year's sprint planner has put together a summary of Valid Routes & Crossing the Uncrossable.  There was an army of helpers from within the region and beyond that made the event a success. It was pleasing to have people say thank you and hear positive comments during and after the JK, none of us should forget that it’s volunteers who keep this sport going.

Image credits: Wendy Carlyle & Richard Gamble LVO

George Crawford-Smith PFO (Relay Organiser)

Relays are special and different. Competition is frantic and concentrated, that must be constrained at the start and finish to deliver a fair competition.

Dale Park threw in a few extra challenges too. A very constrained Event Arena on a slope with a brutal 20 metre climb straight off the start line, a herd of cows, a steep descent and watersplash to finish and wind and rain from the southwest forecast for the whole day. Due to the forecast, we made a last-minute change to the marquees bringing all the electronic apparatus from Check to Download under one double marquee. This proved to be a better arrangement than originally planned even though the worst of the weather came before and after the event. The event itself was largely dry and the cows were moved the previous afternoon into an adjacent pasture, leaving nothing but their footprints to trip over.

The competition was well received by all, with credit to Andy Lewsley (planner) and Tony Thornley with Richard Foster (controllers). Much praise was heaped. The only misgivings being a few glitches with map issue (all sorted before starts) and one contested finish, for which a dead heat was declared. Prizes were given to the victors, and smiles were taken away by the vanquished.

Our thanks are due to the landowners, Graythwaite Estates, the tenant farmer Steve Watson and the residents of Rusland Valley and of High Dale Park in particular for their forbearance. Also, thanks to the overall JK travelling team who pitched and struck the marquees, fences and other kit day after day. To the many unsung heroes who marshalled everything from road signage and parking (LOC) to the finish line and beyond – thank you. Some got a run; others stayed the course.

It was a grand day out!

Sarah Rollins (W45 Winner)

The JK is a demonstration of all that I love about the sport of orienteering – the opportunity to take part in competitive sport alongside my son, watching him also loving the physical and mental challenge of orienteering whilst being with his friends (and me being with mine). This year seemed to attract some of the old legends too and I shared the M/W45 podium with my old pal Jon Duncan of Czech 2008 WOC Relay Gold Medal fame. It was also a chance to be in the Lakes again and the terrain and maps were outstanding.