The SLOW MTBO Brighton event in the South Downs, the last in the series for 2022, had been a long time coming. Originally planned for 2020, it had been postponed due to Covid, and was yet again at risk of postponement, had it clashed with the funeral of HM The Queen.
Fortunately there was no clash, and Government guidelines indicated that we could go ahead with the event.

The course was based on an A3 1:25k OS map and used the MapRun6 app. This seemed to work well with few reported issues.

The hilly terrain enabled Adam Eyre-Walker and Richard Smith to plan a challenging course; one that would stretch the top riders - clearance was not possible - whilst also offering plenty of route options for the whole field of participants. Plenty of riders returned with comments on the hills, having had a good workout!
Numbers attending were on par with the usual events held to the South-West of London, with many willing to travel a little further to explore new terrain down South.
The majority of controls were located on the tops and in the valleys of the South Downs National Park, affording fine views of the Downs and beyond to the sea. Several controls were located in the flatter terrain of the Weald to the North, which involved a steep descent and subsequent re-ascent of the notorious 'North side of the Downs'. The flatter ground of the Weald enabled fast progress to be made collecting controls, often on road - although this had to be balanced against the tough climb to get back on top.

Ifor Powell (M50 class) maintained his outstanding performance, visiting 21 out of 27 controls to win the 3-hour category overall, with 509 points out of a potential 600.
Adam Nightingale (M21 class) visited 11 controls to win the 2-hour event overall with 250 points.

It was great to see many old faces in attendance, along with a number of new-comers - some local and some travelling from further afield. Many stayed for a drink and food afterwards at the Swan Inn, enjoying a post-event social in the warm September sunshine.