DVO Derby Night MapRun series for runners
Derwent Valley Orienteers appointed Chris Millard as their club development manager, and he has set up a successful Derby Night MapRun series.
Earlier in the year we made a grant to Derwent Valley Orienteers to help fund a club development officer (see award article). Since then DVO have appointed Chris Millard to the post, who has got straight to work! He has liaised with 8 running clubs in Derby and set up a series of evening MapRuns. He used a score format with 35 controls, so the series would appeal to runners of all abilities. These have also been enjoyed by 20 club members and 38 runners including some adventurous families. There has been a designated pub for a social after each session.
One runner commented
I can't believe I've just run 8km! Finding the markers really takes your mind off it!
The flyer was created in Canva and shared on Instagram and Facebook. Participants have been followed up by email each week, sharing notable performances and GPS tracks. Chris has also developed sprint MapRuns for kids with 6 or fewer controls, all marked with kites. The courses are about 400m long and can be completed in just over a minute - kids like to try again and again to beat their time! These have made a great alternative to the string course, with children using a parent's phone.
Early days, but DVO is definitely getting more noticed as a result of Chris's hard work!