45 year old knowledge pays off
Ilkley’s Tony Thornley and Peter Haines rolled back the years on Saturday. At the Southern Night Orienteering Champs near Guildford Tony won his age class by a clear 8 minutes whilst Peter came third in his class. The terrain was soft and brackeny southern common, very different from the tough hills and heather in Yorkshire.
The Southern Championships the following day were held at the beautiful Devil’s Punchbowl near Hindhead. Tony last ran here in an international 45 years ago! He improved on his twelfth place in 1973 to win his class by a minute. His course was tricky and challenging, with some steep climbs and, in places, some unforgiving undergrowth.
2018