A belated review of the excellent event last Wednesday at Rydalmere.

Around 175/180 runners fronted the rather soggy fields at Cowells Lane to find a tighter course than previous experience at this location. Steve Holloway deployed most of the mapped area with good points in the western creek line and a tempting arc to the south. It looked like low fives rather than 600, and with champion Andrew Hill on a spell, scoring was distinctly lower still. Many runners were late, being dragged 'off clock' by the widely dispersed 30 pointers.

There seemed to be three start options (via #2, #6 or #1), although few took the north east beginning. The loop via #1 and the south involved a tricky run to collect #21 and #30 where the high fences annoyed the unwary. Getting back from the map bottom needed a good plug up via #16 and the road crossing to #17. Many competitors were caught waiting at the lights near here and lost prescious seconds.

Another loop that worked well was via 2, 13, 5 and on to 25, 9, 24 and a road run to 22 before collecting the western creek and a mid map dash home via 27 and the aforementioned lights.

Many runners had problems with #29, generally agreed to be in a poorly mapped area. Those that persisted found it (higher up and to the west), but many gave up after thrashing around in the green - the bridge would probably have been a better option. Although these things happen from time to time, it is good to involve a little 'bush' work where maps have these areas. Despite this hiccup, the course proved challenging and enjoyable in a very runnable and open area. Look for more fun here next season.

And so on to this weeks pre Christmas blast at Balmoral Beach. This has become a favourite fixture in a tough but sensational area. The pleasures of the beachside promenade and the terrors of the Awaba Street hill!! Course setter Terry Bluett has added some new areas to the east which will add interest and probably means Chinamans Beach will get the flick this time around. Lots to look forward to - including the old tram line route up to the top. Classic summer series with fish and chips on the beach afterwards - a great way to see off our first half and share a bit of Christmas cheer amongst the SSS addicto's. Look for edition two of the famous and scandalous 'Pork Pie Form Guide', which should be available at Balmoral.

So, as well as saying 'see you there', this is also a time to thank all the runners and organisers this season and to wish everyone very best wishes for Christmas and the holiday break. Our first event back is on January 2 at the east end of the Gladesville Hospital map. A chance to experience a great area from another angle. It will be a cracker.

The NSW Stingers put on a corker last night at Blackman Park. Following a day of heavy rain, the evening turned out fine and cool for running, although the parks and bush tracks were very wet and muddy underfoot.

The course was in 'portrait' format with a seductive spread of points to the south and east, but slightly less tempting options to the north. It proved a difficult one to work a loop to at first blush, although the road stuff to the east/north east was mandatory - the question being when to 'attach' the southern bush, early or late in the proceedings? It seemed the majority began via 23 and the southern tempters, emerging mud spattered and behind time at #22 after the puzzle of #30 and, especially, #18. A good beginning from James Lithgow was 23,17,13 and 14 before 30 and the track - getting 17 and 13 on the outer loop proving difficult for many other competitors.

Numbers were a little below expectations - the threatening weather being largely responsible - although 190 punters still fronted the coin tray and enjoyed a great area and a fine course. Scoring into the 500's proved elusive with Dave Heagarty and Anthony Petterson looking the goods at 470 points, although there may have been a later and better score. Our 'get the lot' man, Glenn 'with an h' Horrocks took over the hour to work around a no doubt twisting loop, but ending up no too far shy of the winners.

A notable piece of navigation was from 'Legend' Lloyd Gledhil, who negotiated the cliffs and lantana from #5 directly to #28. Now we know why they are called Legends! There were other bush exploits reported, including many runners 'working' the green along the ill defined bounday near #30 - I gather to the annoyance of the property owner.

The lonely pot award would have to go to #3, well outside most loops, with Glenn as probably its only visitor. We generally call these lonely and annoying buggers the 'Andrew Hill control', in honour of our current champ (missing last night) who, despite these devious and dastardly obstacles, still manages to amaze us with his brutal pace.

All in all, a top event last night in a superb location. The bush track work really adds an edge to the series, bringing different navigation and distance estimation skills into play. We will return.

Next week sees us heading west again to the runnable parks of Ermington with Steve Holloway in command. The Kissing Point Road area is mostly good open road and park running and a chance to stretch the legs. Steve knows how to prepare a puzzler and I'm sure he will deliver on the 12th. Join us!

A belated catch up (the 'Pork' has been AWOL) with last weeks excellent event at Shrimptons Creek. A cracker indeed.

Bryony and Tim Cox created an exciting course that gave the runners a work out, but not before engaging the thinking department. The spread of pot sites included four distinct groupings of around 100 points - in each of the map corners. The fun was deciding which group to leave out and hoping it was the right decision. Many ran north and looped via #27 to #8 and #11 and points further south - the decision here being how to factor in #14. Others took off via #22 and took in the south west and south east groups. Lots of in and out work with the good spread of close in finishing controls giving 'texture' to every run.

The lonely pot award would probably have to go to #10 or maybe #3 - both being slightly off the pace value for ten pointers. A welcome biggie in the early heat was #25, on a tap, and generating many a pause in proceedings. Lots of good check sites with all well set and visible, although we did hear of a couple that had been knocked off - something that hasn't happened for a while.

Although rain had been forcast, the day turned out fine and the crowds rolled in for 217 entries. This is the biggest attendance at Shrimptons and another sign of the popularity of the series (already up 10% over last year). The big mover turned out to be Ben 'The Whaler' Rattray with an excellent 580 points - indicative of a perfectly set course. Wayne Eliot 'Ness' was close by with another withering run for 550. In the Open Women, Joanna Sinclair pulled on 450, while the old dudes in the form of Warwick 'The Singlet' Selby, managed the same. There were many other excellent runs with good feedback on the course and the area. We will do it again at 'The Creek'!

Tomorrow sees us return to Blackman Park on the banks of the Lane Cove River. The NSW 'Stingers' O squad are in charge at this great location and should produce a ripper. Expect to enjoy the mangrove boardwalk tracks along the river and the excellent bush areas with their yummy sandstone rock features. A bit of road will add relief to the bush shennanigans. A great location for what might be our biggest event yet. Be there!

A cool evening with threatening skies didn't deter a huge Summer Series crowd at Wollstonecraft last night - at 250 odd entries, our biggest this season by a long shot. Rob Spry had engineered an excellent course taking in, as anticipated, a circle of Berry Island and a rewarding stretch to the west. The clean sweep 'kicker' were a sparse group of three 10 pointers to the east that would have been the undoing of all but the best runners. Those with local knowledge also gave the Gore Cove bush tracks due respect - they are suprisingly slow with lots of turns and upsy-downsy stuff.

Andrew Hill returned to the top of the board last night with a strong run to all checkpoints in 48 minutes. His resulting 570 was just ahead of current Open Men's leader Wayne Eliot, who ran a very strong 550. This scoring indicates almost perfect course setting with the lead runner just falling short of the 600. Great stuff! Mace Neve was on the board for 390 in OW, but there may have been other later results in the low/mid fours. Gordon Wilson again ran well in Super Veteran for 490 - an excellent run across all groupings. The Masters and Veterans were also pumping - Larry Weiss with an excellent 500.

Despite the tempting points to the west, an early run south was probably the most productive. Getting Berry Island and the bush track behind you early, not to mention confronting the 'tidal route' from 24 to 11, allowed plenty of finishing options from the big spread of western pots. The anti clockwise scenario, which most runners seemed to favour, ended in the low point returns via #2 or via #20 - lots of late puff without much late pencil!

Many runners reported difficulties with the location of several controls, especially #9 on the bridge, and may have lost time as a result. We are urging all setters to be clear with pot location to avoid these problems in the future. It is not a hide and seek sport.

Next week we move to Shrimptons Creek at North Ryde with Tim and Bryony Cox on the footplate. Although this is runners territory, route choice can bring down the speedsters here as working an optimal loop can often be difficult. Good running, especially on the connecting parks and bike tracks make this a beauty. Plenty of parking, and there are toilets on site! The 'Ranch' pub adjacent is also good for a post-run roast dinner (and a cleanser of course). Don't miss it.

Another great Summer Series event last night on the 'Devlins Creek' map - with webmaster David Noble in charge of proceedings, and the corn flakes start box (an irreverant and wonderful Big Foot invention, much appreciated by all starters).

Around 180 punters pulled on the T shirts and enjoyed one of the best runs of the season so far. The control spread tempted runners to head off almost equally to the north or south and work through a loop across the M2. David had added a new area to the south-east of the old map and included an excellent and frustrating loop of controls there. The stiff pull up to 28 or the dash to 19 on the way to a bushy 29 and the time sapping loop to 27. Much time was lost here although the smart money worked 20,28,29 and then back via 19 and the footbridge - ignoring the southerly 30 pointer.

There was also interesting action to the north, with #12 pulling runners west into various loops via 3 and 24. The track run south of 30 to the road bridge proved a smarter option for some, bringing into play the tempting loop of 25,26,16 and 17. All good stuff, with the bush tracks slowing K rates for the unwary.

Veteran Mike Burton managed to grab the silver with 500 points, ahead of Ben 'the beanpole' Rattray (490), both suprisingly shading the late starting Andrew Hill 's Ford' (480). Andrew may have found the gathering gloom in the bush sections to his disadvantage, or he might have just have missed the optimum flow. Such was the quality of the setting that it was hard to work an economical loop - Glenn Horrocks 'movie' swept the 10plus K's in an awkward kidney shape but was very late back for all controls but only 410 points. A good work out none the less.

Other results of note were Edwina Hatch with a blistering run in Masters class for 440 points - her best result to date. Joanna 'lake' Sinclair was also up there with a respectable 390, one out, one back from the flying locomotive and Super Veteran champion, Gordon 'the blue engine' Wilson, on an even 400. The mid to high 400's proved to be a tough ask, although lots of the old blokes got cuddly in the mid three's.

A great start location and a beautiful evening. We will return!

Next week we move back closer to the city to another old favourite - Smoothey Park at Wollstonecraft. Rob Spry is chief pot hanger and promises plenty of action in this spectacular location. Look to ooh and aah at the views from Berry Island as we mix running the roads and cool creek tracks. Expect a big roll up, and come by train if at all possible - parking is very limited at the assembly area, especially early on.

A final point - reporting to the finish. All competitors in the Summer Series MUST report in after their run - even if you have abandoned your course. A runner at Beecroft last night failed to finish leaving the organisers to wonder if he had been injured and was still out, possibly in the bush. Thankfully his entry card had a mobile number on it, the call revealing he had just given up and gone home. So to save organisers from any extra work and anxiety, please make a note of this requirement to ALWAYS report back.

Firstly, for all those anxious SSS fans wondering where event 4's results are.....don't worry, they are coming! Course setter James has been distracted with a muddy mountain bike venture and has only just got his hands on the cards and the laptop. Should be up soon.

Now, to event 5 last night. And another grey, overcast and damp evening. This time Dave McKenna had the starting gun at (for most) a new venue - Cabarita Park, near Concord. An excellent, multi pavillioned assembly area greeted around 185 odd runners (a record attendance for the area), many who had never seen this splendid Sydney riverside spot before. The map was at 1:7500 scale so coverage to the far pots needed to come into calculation - and did for the fast stallions. The main part of the map included the large redevelopment of the old AGL Mortlake gas works, now called Breakfast Point. Like event three at Abbotsford, running amongst this intensive apartment development was challenging and fun. Dave set several controls in spots that qualified as 'real estate tour' checkpoints.

It seems most runners headed North via 3, 20, 16 etc and looped around the wonderful riverside views at 21 and 28 before tackling a return (often via #1 and #2). Collecting the 'internal' apartment checks resulted in a variety of routes with either #4 or #7 not making the cut. The fitter bods swept west to collect 29,27,8 and 6 with the A team stars cracking on to the elusive 22, 13 and 14.

Generally the area was flat and the was accelerator down - high scoring resulting in this sweet combination. Ben 'dit like Beckham' Rattray took out the empty water bottle award with a clean 600 in 43 minutes, almost a minute in front of WHO star Andrew 'in pencil' Hill. Glen 'hold me' Horrocks also ran a respectable sweep for 580, shy of the sash by only two minutes. Others to catch this punters eye were Warwick Selby, a great 500 in the Super Veteran group, and Russell Taylor, also a big 5 run. Many of the top scorers managed their prodigious feats even after losing time searching at #22 - the 'thicket' having grown somewhat since the map was first produced. Another control to take my fancy was the lonely pot at #6, sitting quietly on the grass seemingly not attached to anything - amazing it lasted the night (unlike #23, last seen floating off the end of the jetty and only revealing one of its two letter codes (an 's' as I remember).

Several runners were not across the out-of-bounds area, and found themselves on the wrong side of rather high fences. One or two admitting to 'tunneling' under the wire, rather like a world war two escape! Despite this, the area provided a good run with the street and apartment sections needing concentration to avoid 'down-the-wrong-street-itis'. We will be back.

Next week Dave Noble (our webmaster) is in charge at Beecroft/Cheltenham. This is a great area, hillier than 'The Punt', but with a bit of bush track action and the intriguing section under the M2 to reward attendance. The map has not been used for a few seasons but has always been popular - a new mapped section will only increase the fun. Join us!

Finally, I should also mention the 'Socialgaine' on 18th of November at beautiful Port Stephens. This is a six hour event in a magnificent area, and in the same general format as the Summer Series - study your map before starting and get as many controls as possible. Entries close on 12/11 so get in quick. Info at www.nswrogaining.org

We anticipated a big roll up with daylight saving finally kicking in, and weren't dissappointed. Last night's ripper at Macquarie Uni had the numbers men working up a storm on the abacus - 220 maps gone for around 210 entries. A record at this venue, and for such an early series event.

The overcast weather made for comfortable running, and James Lithgow's challenging course made for puzzling running. The controls were split in two distinct halves, with a 'river' of low/no points in between. The question was always how to add a bit from one side to all of the other, and how to make the inner points to the west (26,7,4,13) work with a looping run around the outer tempting ring of 30 pointers. Resolving this gave a wide variety of route choice and saw the always delicious runners 'going everywhere'. Plenty of action for the push chair brigade (10,2,24 etc.) and the champions - who got a dollop of bush track action with #30.

Best score on the night was 580 points, I think by more than one runner, with Andy Hill's 'Hoist' not seeing the elusive 20 and returning early. There were several other competitors who were back early, unable to get the sector flow right (or in my case, remember to look at their watch!).

The Uni grounds are always good running, and as previewed, James obliged with a sculpture control (#22) and a puzzling car parking building checkpoint (#17) - the latter giving the odd speedster a bit of location grief. All good stuff at this popular venue.

Next event will see SSS competitors run a new location - Cabarita Park and sourrounds. Dave McKenna is on the pencil for this extension of the old Rhodes map that takes in the former AGL gas works. The area boasts excellent park and harbour side running - and is almost dead level. I guess we can also expect a bit of fun amongst the 'lifestyle' apartment developments, rather like Steve Flick gave us at Abbotsford. Should be an excellent outing, with dinner at the Concord Italian restaurants close by an added incentive. Be there!