and now for something diferent...orienteering...WOW !

[Deleted User]

I've done the odd triathlon, 10k race, 1/2 marathon, marathon etc etc but decided to try something different.... orienteering.
Has this sport been mentioned in RW ? Me being a complete novice I found that everyone was so keen and helpful. Consider it as a Fartlekk run, lots of running, sprinting, walking, hills and mud.
and unlike running events the fittest fastest runner doesn't win.

Hilly

My map reading would certainly put me at the back of the pack. So although I love the kind of terrain they normally take place on the idea of getting lost is a put off.

[Deleted User]

Orienteering is 100% ace, specially through a forest or etc (the Delamere Forest events are really good). Give it a go!

[Deleted User]

I fancy some of that adventure racing myself
Looks dead easy on the telly !

Doubly Bionic Ironwolf

Did my first O-event in 1968! Have been 5 times to the Swiss 5-days event, it's fabulous, thousands of orienteers from all over the world including Oz and the Far East, running a different course each day of 5, cumulative time through day 4 gives the order for a chasing start on the last day. I'll never forget starting just below the Eiger, on the Grindelwald, in pouring rain - at the finish my legs couldn't stop shaking! An experience never to be forgotten - especially the communal standpipe cold showers on the mountainside! The Swedes showed us all how to dry our O-clothes too - hold them under the hair dryers at the local swimming pool!
A blast - I thoroughly recommend orienteering as a supplement to regular running training.

[Deleted User]

I did orienteering for a few years. I was really chuffed that it's a sport where even a novice can enter the NATIONAL level competition without having to do trials and knock out competitions. It's how i started running!
Anyone want to give it a try have a look for the British Orienteering Federation website.

[Deleted User]

I have been orienteering for years and I would recommend it!

[Deleted User]

oh the other thing.......the cost.
The event for my self and partner was £4.00 + £1.00 for the hire of the electronic dibber .
I'm considering doing a 10k this Sunday at a cost of £9.00 (and there are no t shirt at the end).

[Deleted User]

I fancy getting into orienteering to improve my navigation and my potential for adventure racing. I have done one adventure race which was excellent, but we didn't have to do any navigation.

Oh Its you

We did a small piece on orienteering in the May 2001 issue - so search back through your old copies. (Or drop me a line!)

Rob (RW)

[Deleted User]

Like Hilly, I've always fancied it, but map-reading isn't one of my stronger points. I've actually got lost going home from work one evening !!

[Deleted User]

The maps used are very large scale 1:10,000 ( 1cm on the map = 100 metres ) and at the event I did, most of the check points were 300 metres apart . The entire course was in an area of 2.5km by 2km.

Doubly Bionic Ironwolf

Not all maps, TB - depends on the area and detail of the terrain used. Some maps are 1 to 15,000, some are 1 to 20,000. But it isn't difficult to convert. On a 1 to 10 map 1cm represents 45 double paces for me - so it follows that on the 1 to 20 1cm is 90 paces. Dead easy. And on the longer courses you do need to know how far you have run, especially if running on a compass bearing direct through the woods - if you estimate it, you'll be wrong 99 times out of a 100!