Key Points
- Charlie and Hugo Maule-Lidbury Selected for EAOA: Young HAVOC athletes Charlie and Hugo Maule-Lidbury were selected to represent the East Anglian Orienteering Association at the Junior Inter Regional Championships.
- Top-Ten Regional Finish: The East Anglian Orienteering Association achieved a strong 7th-place finish out of 12 competing regions across the country, behind overall winners Scottish Orienteering Association.
- Two-Day Competition Across Essex: The individual championships took place at Writtle Forest on Saturday, 26 September, followed by the relay races at Hatfield Forest on Sunday, 27 September.
- Strong Club Showing at Open Event: Nine HAVOC runners competed in the open event at Writtle Forest, securing top-ten finishes across three distinct courses.
Havering (East London Times) September 29, 2026 – Young orienteers from local club Havering and South Essex Orienteering Club (HAVOC) represented the East Anglian Orienteering Association (EAOA) at the prestigious Junior Inter Regional Championships held over the weekend. Brothers Charlie and Hugo Maule-Lidbury were selected to join the regional squad for the annual two-day competition, which brought together top junior talent from across twelve regions. Supported by solid performances in both individual and team relay formats, the East Anglian region secured seventh place overall in the team standings.
How Did East Anglia Fare in the Individual and Relay Events?
The championship action opened on Saturday, 26 September, with the individual races hosted at Writtle Forest near Chelmsford. Charlie and Hugo Maule-Lidbury tackled technical courses against the country’s elite junior runners, contributing directly to the team points tally.
Following a competitive opening day, the East Anglian Orienteering Association finished 7th out of the 12 competing regional associations. The overall victory in the championship was taken by the Scottish Orienteering Association (SOA), whose runners dominated across multiple age categories.
On Sunday, 27 September, the tournament moved to Hatfield Forest for the relay events. Both Hugo and Charlie were called upon once again to represent East Anglia, navigating complex and demanding relay legs that required rapid decision-making and physical resilience under head-to-head pressure.
What Were the Conditions at the Writtle Forest Open Event?
Prior to the main championship races on Saturday, Writtle Forest played host to an open competition open to non-championship competitors and club members. Nine runners from HAVOC took part in the event, producing strong individual results despite challenging terrain features.
The open competition saw HAVOC runners secure top-ten finishes across three different courses. The terrain at Writtle Forest was reported as predominantly open and relatively clear of dense ground vegetation, which allowed for fast running speeds. Bright, late-September sunshine provided optimal environmental conditions for the competitors.
Navigational demands remained high throughout the event. Due to a sparse footpath network in the private woodland, competitors were required to maintain constant map contact and precise compass bearing controls to avoid navigational errors and maintain competitive times.
Background of Regional Junior Orienteering Competitions
The Junior Inter Regional Championships (JIRC) serve as one of the premier fixtures on the British Orienteering calendar for elite athletes under the age of 18. Organised annually, the competition tests athletes through two distinct formats: an individual long-distance race on Saturday and a high-tempo multi-stage team relay on Sunday.
Regional associations from across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland select their top-performing junior athletes based on performances in national and regional selection events held earlier in the season. Teams compete collectively for the overall championship trophy, while individual athletes gain critical national experience.
HAVOC (Havering and South Essex Orienteering Club) operates as a primary grassroots hub for the sport in the East London and South Essex area. The club regularly delivers training, local fixtures, and development pathways for junior runners seeking progression into the East Anglian Orienteering Association squad and national development programmes.
How Will This Development Affect Local Junior Orienteering?
The selection and performance of Charlie and Hugo Maule-Lidbury at national level provide a clear benchmark for the junior development programme at HAVOC and within the wider East Anglian region. Success at the Junior Inter Regional Championships demonstrates the effectiveness of local training initiatives in preparing young athletes for complex navigational terrain and elite-level competition.
For grassroots competitors at HAVOC, strong representation on the regional stage reinforces the pathway from local club fixtures to regional representative honours. The top-ten finishes achieved by adult and junior members in the Writtle Forest open event also highlight healthy participation rates across all skill levels, which is likely to encourage increased attendance at forthcoming autumn regional fixtures.
