Random 15 Championship 2013/14: Round 1

[tangy]

With only three Tramlink stations within Zone 3 (in contrast with the DLR and NLR networks) the Tramlink stations will not be in the draw. This however does not affect the use of Tramlink to transfer between lines/stations that are part of the challenge.

[tractakid]

With only three Tramlink stations within Zone 3 (in contrast with the DLR and NLR networks) the Tramlink stations will not be in the draw. This however does not affect the use of Tramlink to transfer between lines/stations that are part of the challenge.

Tramlink stops don't have zones!

[Sam]

Therefore ALL tramlink stops should be in the draw for a laugh

[hopeful traveller]

I now have a complete database of all Championship results between 2008 and 2013.

People with the dreaded nul points and the season:

• Hakan Wolge (2008 - 2009);
• Jonny Lyon (2009 - 2010);
• Becky Hemsley (2009 - 2010);
• Joe Grocott-James (2009 - 2010).

Highest score: 51 (Peter Smyth, 2008 - 2009) and 51 (Peter Smyth, 2010 - 2011).

Any more stats?

[tractakid]

As far as I can tell tramlink stops are effectively in all of zones 3, 4, 5 and 6?

[Sam]

Yes they are

[tangy]

Here follows the full rules for the Random 15 challenge:

Random 15 Championship: The Small Print

1. Introduction:-
1.1: The Random 15 challenge consists of visiting 15 randomly generated stations (from the London Underground Tube Map) selected using certain criteria before the challenge commences. To avoid being sent all over the system, stations drawn are generally kept within Zones 1 and 2 (except during certain twist rounds).

1.2: There are two variations of the Random 15 challenge, a “normal” round and a “twist” round. A “normal” round is 15 randomly generated stations within Zones 1 and 2 using the London Underground network only. A “twist” round includes a normal round plus something added onto it such as an extra zone/s, stations split into two lists or another transport network i.e. the DLR or Overground.

1.3: There is six rounds per season, at roughly two monthly intervals (exact dates will be published at least a month before each individual round). Each season will have three normal R15s and three “twist” R15s. All R15 challenges will commence at 12:30 UK local time (unless otherwise stated).

1.4: The Random 15 championship is attempted at weekends, usually on a Saturday. Therefore challengers should expect parts of the network closed for engineering work and be prepared to take these into account when on the challenge. Any stations that are on the closed section (hence cannot be visited by the network/s for that particular round) will be excluded from the draw.

1.5: Unlike other tube challenges with a fixed set of stations, the Random 15 challenge is different in that there is no way to pre plan a route until you see the full list of 15 stations. This means all challengers need to think of a route there and then (which can have interesting results).

2. During the challenge:-
2.1: All challengers are requested to be at the meeting point/station in good time prior to the 12:30 start time in order to receive the list of stations from the BERC (organiser) and for the prompt start of the challenge. This is generally outside the station entrance or on the street side of the ticket barriers at the first station on the randomly generated list and will form 1 of the 15 stations needed to be visited. At large stations or those with multiple entrances a specific meeting point will be advised by the BERC.

2.2: The Random 15 challenge may be attempted solo (as an individual) or as part of a small team.

2.3: The randomly generated stations for that particular round will be handed to your team in sealed envelopes, which must remain sealed until the start of the challenge as advised by the BERC. In the case of a two lists “twist” round, list 2 must be kept secure and unopened by your team until all stations on list 1 have been visited.

2.4: The start of challenge begins immediately the envelopes are starting to be opened whilst still at the meeting point. Here your team can choose to just have a cursory glance and head off or have a few minutes to plan before heading off (although remember the clock is ticking).

2.5: Although the challenge starts at station 1 on the randomly generated list, challengers are NOT required to depart from it straightaway by the network/s included in that particular round. Challengers can choose (if they wish) to run or use another network not included in that particular round to a nearby station and visit station 1 later in the challenge.

2.6: In line with the official GWR rules for Tube Challenging, a visit is defined as arriving or departing the required stations by the network/s defined for that particular challenge. Challengers are not required to get off the train but can do so if they wish to change lines or transfer to another station. Should a station be temporarily closed i.e. for a security alert or rebuilding work then a non-stop pass through of the station will be accepted.

2.7: Challengers are advised to check carefully the 15 stations they have to visit, especially those which have the same or similar name to a nearby station to avoid visiting the wrong one (of which can cost you a penalty or disqualification from that particular round). To assist you the list of stations will specify which station needs to be visited i.e. Paddington (H&C) or Canary Wharf (DLR) for example.

2.8: Again in line with the GWR rules, challengers may transfer between lines or stations only on foot or by using scheduled public transport i.e. National Rail, Tramlink, DLR etc. Challengers must not use any form of private transport in their challenge i.e. car, taxi, cycle, motorbike, roller blades etc.

2.9: There may be occasions, due to the nature of the engineering works, that a line is in effect marooned from the rest of the network e.g. the whole of the Victoria Line closed bar Seven Sisters- Walthamstow. In the event of a station being on the list in this section (e.g. Blackhorse Road) it will still need to be visited as per rule 2.6.

2.10: Different networks running over the same tracks as each other count as a visit of that station by either network, commonly known as the “shared tracks rule.” Therefore a visit of say Kenton on a London Underground only round on an Overground train is permitted, similar on a London Overground included round a visit of Brockley is permitted on the all station Southern trains.

2.11: Some stations serve trains from different networks but running on DIFFERENT tracks to each other, it is important to visit the station “legally” using the correct network for that particular challenge. One example is West Brompton whereby on a LU only round, this station would only be legally visited if you arrived or departed using LU trains. There is a penalty or disqualification if a station is not visited using the correct network as listed.

2.12: The clock stops as soon as one of your team stands on the platform of your 15th station. If however, you arrived at your 15th station on foot or by another network you must keep your watching running until you reach your next station (in any direction), the same applies if you 15th station is a “pass through” and you couldn’t alight.

2.13: There is a time limit for a “normal” Random 15 challenge of 4 hours. If you are still challenging once 4 hours has ticked by then stop the clock at the next station the train you are on stops at (or if you are at a station, then stop straightaway) and head to the post challenge meet point. “Twist” rounds will have an applicable amount of extra time added, as advised by the BERC in advance of the challenge.

2.14: Unlike the full Tube Challenge there is not the requirement to log down times or obtain train running numbers, although you can if you wish. Your team will however be asked what route was taken and of your final time.

3. Post Challenge:-
3.1: Once you have completed the Random 15 challenge then please head to the post challenge meet up point. This should be a pub within Zone 1 (which Tube challengers regularly frequent). This pub will be advised by the BERC in advance with the event details or at the pre challenge meet up point.

3.2: Challengers are respectfully reminded not to discuss their time or route to other teams until the official results have been read out by the BERC.

3.3: When your team reaches the pub (or when the BERC arrives at the pub, as of course the BERC will be challenging too), all teams will be invited on a one-to-one basis to the BERC to reveal their time and to verify the route taken. Once all the results have been collated an official announcement will be read out by the BERC and the winning team will detail the route they took to the other teams.

4. Scoring:-
4.1: Within the current season (six rounds) the maximum score any challenger can obtain is 60. Within each individual round the maximum score that can be obtained is 12, this means that if you compete in all six rounds of one season you have a little bonus, you can discount your worse score.

4.2: Within each round the scoring is as follows: 12 points for a win, 10 for second and 8 for third and then in descending order down to one, this means that should 10 teams compete then all teams are guaranteed a points position. If fewer than 10 teams compete the scoring will descend down the points order as far as necessary.

4.3: All points are awarded on an individual basis; this means if a team of two challengers win then both members of that team will score 12 points. In the event of a tie of two or more teams then all teams are regarded as equal.

4.4: The BERC’s decision is final. Please beware that a breach of rule 2.7 or 2.11 will result in disqualification from that particular round with zero points being awarded. With regard to rule 2.13, if you failed to visit all the stations within the time limit due to reasons beyond your control e.g. line suspension, signal failure, adverse weather affecting trains or sudden illness then the BERC will award points on a case by case basis.

4.5: At the final round of the season, the top three challengers in the overall championship will receive a prize (and certificate) from the BERC. A small 50p voluntary donation from each challenger who competes in each round will be used to assist in the purchase of the prizes.

Signed:
Tangy, the BERC.

[hopeful traveller]

4.1: Within the current season (six rounds) the maximum score any challenger can obtain is 60. Within each individual round the maximum score that can be obtained is 12, this means that if you compete in all six rounds of one season you have a little bonus, you can discount your worse score.

That's not really a bonus.

4.2: Within each round the scoring is as follows: 12 points for a win, 10 for second and 8 for third and then in descending order down to one, this means that should 10 teams compete then all teams are guaranteed a points position. If fewer than 10 teams compete the scoring will descend down the points order as far as necessary.

Is this a change (or reinstatement) of - after extensive research - the 08/09 regulations? The scoring system would change depending on how many teams there were. Or is this the same as last year?

4.3: All points are awarded on an individual basis; this means if a team of two challengers win then both members of that team will score 12 points. In the event of a tie of two or more teams then all teams are regarded as equal.

Could you clarify this? To my mind, it sounds as though teams will now be treated as ties. For example, round three last year was 12-10-8-7(x2)-6-5. To my mind, this would make it 12-10-8-7-7-5-4.

[tangy]

Is this a change (or reinstatement) of - after extensive research - the 08/09 regulations? The scoring system would change depending on how many teams there were. Or is this the same as last year?

Regardless of how many teams take part, the winner will always get 12 points, second 10 etc. Therefore if 6 teams are taking part then the scores would be 12-10-8-7-6-5

Could you clarify this? To my mind, it sounds as though teams will now be treated as ties. For example, round three last year was 12-10-8-7(x2)-6-5. To my mind, this would make it 12-10-8-7-7-5-4.

It will be the latter scoring, just like in other challenges like zone 1, teams finishing on the same train are regarded as equal and would get equal points as each other. If 2 teams tied for third place the scores would be: 12-10-8-8-6-5.

Hope this answers your questions.

[A2]

As this is the day after my birthday I'll turn up, unless the hangover is far too bad (in which case I'm staying in bed!)

[hopeful traveller]

I just did a 'mock-up' draw and got this:

Liverpool Street
Balham
Tottenham Hale
Putney Bridge
West Ham
Highbury & Islington
South Kensington
Hackney Wick
Mudchute
Southfields
Royal Victoria
Deptford Bridge
New Cross Gate
Pimlico
Wimbledon Park

I think it's safe to say that we won't be getting any records...

EDIT: My route on this comes out as 4 hours 11 minutes. Time limit adjustments are in order...

[palkanetoijala31]

Call me sadistic but I hope the worst stations come out seeing as I'm responsible for the stipulation this year will be interesting as I be playing devil advocate from round 2 perhaps I can take points of people so an unknown wins championship

[tractakid]

It's not really sadistic if you are choosing a twist in order to screw over certain people - that's just plain wrong. I urge the BERC to thoroughly vet your suggestions.

Eh? isn't this twist the same for everyone?

[tangy]

The twist of Zone 3 plus LO/DLR was one of Andi's more sensible suggestions and one which I quite liked myself as it should give potential for a good challenge.

Make the challenge too long or too complex then you lose the fun within it. That is why I dropped the Tramlink stations from this twist, so the stations are all on a standard Tube Map.

[tractakid]

It would be but if the stated aim is to screw over certain people then it's still not nice.

How could it possibly 'screw anyone over'?