As has become traditional over the last few years, this "Cup Final" event will have a slightly different format from our other events (but that hard-earned familiarity with green boxes and substations will definitely come in handy), and the winner on the night will receive "The Hydrant Trophy". Our statisticians are working tirelessly to ensure that everyone who competes has a very good chance of winning!  

Once the excitement over the Hydrant Trophy has subsided, we shall be presenting the trophies and prizes based on the season's league tables. Additional trophies - to reward Improved Performance and Consistency (more work for the statisticians!) will also be awarded. You don't necessarily have to be at the top of the league to win either of these.

As you are surely aware by now, Cup Final event has been planned as a VIRTUAL event. You will run with a paper map and your smartphone with the MapRun app downloaded. In addition to providing access to an electronic version of the event map on the phone, the app records your route, the controls you visit and the time you take.

Planners Peter and Jillyan are away this week, so I am going to delay sending out any further technical details until they return next Thursday.

In an ideal world, we would love everyone at the event to use a smartphone to compete. Realistically, we recognise that there may be one or two people who cannot access a suitable device. We are anxious that no-one should be excluded from taking part, and will provide a conventional answer sheet for anyone who needs one.

Rest assured, through the intricacies of the handicapping system, even those providing written answers will have an excellent chance of lifting the trophy.

To reserve your map please contact me (grahamecrawshaw@gmail.com or nsl2018@mdoc.org.uk) by 10pm on Friday 8th March (not long now!). Please confirm whether you will be using a smartphone (that's 99.9% of you), or whether we need to supply a conventional answer sheet.

Thanks for your support throughout the season - looking forward to the usual deluge of replies

Grahame