Coxet Hill relay participants prepare to race

What an absolutely fabulous time we all had today at Coxet Hill, as we celebrated the 50th birthday of the club with a very special relay event overlooking the area where the club was founded.

As well as a host of FVO worthies, we were joined by the Edinburgh University Performance Squad, which contains many of GB's top young orienteers, and there were almost 60 people in action on a day of mixed weather.

Founding father, Ted Finch drew on all his considerable experience to establish an event that had something for everyone, and this is certainly a format that can (and will) be repeated in future.

Seven Short leg runners, each running for up to six teams, went out in a mass start, with James Edward first home in a nippy 9.37, just ahead of Esme Finch (9.44). Then came 18 runners on the Medium leg, a mix of youth and experience, with each representing the hopes of two or three teams, and Alexander Hunt was first back, in 20.44 for his leg, although there were quicker splits further down the order.

And then the 32 Long leg runners set off, in ones and twos, to take on the 4km urban stage. The race lead changes hands several times, but Joe Hudd was first back, to take the win for his team, which also included James and Alexander, in a composite time of 53.13.

The team of Esme Finch, Theo Lai and Joe Sunley was 2nd (54.01) and pre-race favourites, Lucas Baikie, Rebecca Hammond and Jon Cross were 3rd back in 56.12.

Rather than disqualifying teams for mispunches, we imposed time penalties, so the final results, which are on the event page reflect these adjusted times.