Illawarra Map Running Summer Series commences on Sunday 9th February

Lady running over a bridge towards an orange and white flag

Get ready for the annual Illawarra Map Running Summer Series in February/March. Four events will be conducted on Sunday mornings throughout the Illawarra in the  Shellcove, Windang, Kiama and Figtree areas. Starts will be from 10am to 11am, courses closes at 12noon. There will be a sausage sizzle to follow the event and the opportunity to enjoy a swim at some of Illawarra beautiful beaches.  So pack your swimmers and come on down and join us for a run on one of the three line courses that will be available. Families, newcomers and beginners are very welcome. Club members will be available to guide you on your way.  
The first event will be held at Shellcove. Event details are available at  https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/21572. Enter on the day will be available however we encourage you to pre-enter via Eventor.

Newcomers note: by attending 3 out of the 4 Illawarra Map Running Summer Series: Sun Feb 9, Sun 16 Feb, Sun 2 Mar & Sun 9 Mar you will have the chance of winning a free 12 month membership with the Illawarra Kareelah Orienteers club.
Conditions apply: offer available to newcomers only (not applicable to previous membership holders). After completion of the series, those eligible will be notified by email of their success with an option to accept or decline this offer.

Looking for a run in January

If you are keen to have a run in January why not take a trip to the Southern Highlands. This year SHOO (Southern Highlands Orienteering Club) are running their popular park/street Summer Saturdays series around the Macarthur area. 
There will be two course choices – a 45 minute score course and a 2km line course suitable for our younger competitors and those new to orienteering. Starts are between 9:00 and 10:30 with course closure at 11:30. Coaching will be provided. Check their website  or Eventor for further information.

Sydney Summer Series – ‘Sydney Map Running’

Throughout the summer months Sydney orienteering clubs run an event event every Wednesday evening with starts from 4.30pm to 6.45pm. The events take the form of a score event where competitors are required to visit as many controls as they can within 45 minutes. Careful planning is required to maximise your points score. Information about the series is available on the NSW Orienteering website at https://www.sydneysummerseries.com.au/

Sydney Summer Series event #14 Surry Hills 8 January 2025 – Results

Drowned rats came to mind as the 157 brave runners who turned up at last night’s Sydney Summer Series event  returned from their run on the new IKO Surry Hills map. Not to mention the drenching of those who put out the controls. It was with great foresight that course planner Sue Froude hired out the community hall in Prince Alfred Park and entrants could plan their courses in the dry and club volunteers could manage registrations and downloads in the shelter of the hall. It seems IKO events attract rain, maybe we could hire out our services as rain makers.

Sue Froude’s new city map offered up hills, laneways, pocket parks and open parkland. An excellent addition to Sydney city maps. See Eventor for results. 11 people scored max points of 600 under the 45 min timeline so Sue is looking to extend the map to accommodate those runners needing a longer challenge.  A big thanks to Sue and Ian for organising the event and to helpers, Steve, David, Ian, Margaret, Kev, Vicki, James & Rob Prentice of NOC who collected in controls on his bike for us. Oh and BTW a very wet real life rat was spotted whilst collecting controls. EEEEK!!!!

Further information is available on IKO and ONSW Sydney Summer Series Facebook pages.

Start the New Year with a score event at Surry Hills

The first IKO event for 2025 will be held on Wednesday the 8th of January on the brand new Surry Hills map. Starts are from 4.30 to 6.45pm. The event is part of the Sydney Summer Series and we are in for a zinger of a course navigating the many intricate streets and laneways of Surry Hills. Those living in the Sutherland and Illawarra areas can travel in comfort by train to Central Station – the assembly area at Coronation Hall (Community Tennis Centre), Prince Alfred Park, is a 5 min easy walk from the Devonshire & Chalmers St exit to the Station.  See the information bulletin and course setter notes for details.  Pre-entries via Eventor are encouraged though enter on the day will be available.

As well as the usual 45min Score event there will be a Mini course for the littlies set within Prince Alfred Park that does not cross any roads or carpark areas.  

Xmas 5 – Day Carnival 2024

This years the NSW Xmas 5-Days carnival is in Sydney from 26 to 31 December. There will be some stunning scenery and locations and organisers have come up with an interesting mix of course formats to keep participants entertained. Days 1 and 4 starts are from 4.30pm, Days 2,3 & 5 start at 8am. With winning times of between 25 to 45 minutes for courses there will be plenty of time for entrants to have a run before enjoying the many sights and activities that Sydney has to offer. See https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/21174 for full information.

Whilst pre-entries for the full 5 days have closed people can enter on the day for all 5 events. Anyone intending to enter on the day should report to the registration tent as soon as they arrive at the event, and no later than 30 minutes after the first start. Each club will decide which courses are on offer for EOD, along with the entry fees.


Ho Ho Ho! Our Christmas event is here!

Come along for our last event of the year at Kiama Downs next Saturday 14 December. Bring some festive cheer, there will be lucky door prizes, and silly headwear is encouraged!

Enter now on Eventor
Eventor Australia – Event information: IKO Xmas event – Kiama Downs

Starts from 3pm to 4pm at Bombo Hill Reserve, Riverside Drive Kiama Downs. BYO swimmers if you fancy a dip at Bombo Beach afterwards. And BYO food and drinks for the post-event BBQ and/or a salad or dessert to share. See you there!