What's Orienteering?
New to the sport of orienteering? The key difference to your regular 10K run is you have to navigate around the course - visiting the control points in order and choosing your own route between them.
The Map
On starting the race, you pick up the map for the course you've entered. The map doesn't have street names on it, but shows features to help you navigate, such as crossable walls, distinctive trees and buildings.
The map is drawn to the international standard for sprint orienteering maps (ISSOM 2007).
However, due to the 3D nature of much of the City, there are additional special symbols for this race, to denote walls you can pass underneath, statues, and stairwells. Full details of these will be included in the final details, emailed to entrants and available on this website nearer to race-day.
Timing
Competitors carry a lightweight plastic key on their finger, known as an SI card, and "punch" each control to record their split time. At the end, the results printer gives an instant read-out of the total time and the splits between each control.
The Race
Competitors start at one minute intervals. You will be allocated a start time, which will be available on this website before the event, unless you enter on the day.
On starting, you punch the start control, and only then do you see your map, which will have your course printed on it. The start control flag is in front of you and shown with a purple triangle on the map. There is a line leading from this to your first control - the circle numbered '1'
Visit each of your controls in the correct order, choosing your route between each. Make sure you don't go out-of-bounds. Some people carry a compass so they know which way to orient the map - but precision bearings aren't needed for a city race!
At the end, punch the final control at the finish line to complete your race! Then go to the download area to get your splits and be counted in.
Any Questions?
Event helpers will be available on the day to answer your queries, but the best way to get familiar with orienteering is to orienteer! A list of events happening this summer in and around London can be found here.
The Map
On starting the race, you pick up the map for the course you've entered. The map doesn't have street names on it, but shows features to help you navigate, such as crossable walls, distinctive trees and buildings.
The map is drawn to the international standard for sprint orienteering maps (ISSOM 2007).
However, due to the 3D nature of much of the City, there are additional special symbols for this race, to denote walls you can pass underneath, statues, and stairwells. Full details of these will be included in the final details, emailed to entrants and available on this website nearer to race-day.
Timing
Competitors carry a lightweight plastic key on their finger, known as an SI card, and "punch" each control to record their split time. At the end, the results printer gives an instant read-out of the total time and the splits between each control.
The Race
Competitors start at one minute intervals. You will be allocated a start time, which will be available on this website before the event, unless you enter on the day.
On starting, you punch the start control, and only then do you see your map, which will have your course printed on it. The start control flag is in front of you and shown with a purple triangle on the map. There is a line leading from this to your first control - the circle numbered '1'
Visit each of your controls in the correct order, choosing your route between each. Make sure you don't go out-of-bounds. Some people carry a compass so they know which way to orient the map - but precision bearings aren't needed for a city race!
At the end, punch the final control at the finish line to complete your race! Then go to the download area to get your splits and be counted in.
Any Questions?
Event helpers will be available on the day to answer your queries, but the best way to get familiar with orienteering is to orienteer! A list of events happening this summer in and around London can be found here.
