After a successful event last week on the bush map at Bomaderry Creek – perfect weather, challenging terrain and sightings of local fauna (black snake, echidna and goanna) and flora (waratah) – we look forward to some fast times this Sunday on the Shell Cove urban map. The usual short (2.1Km) medium (4.9Km) and long (7.2Km) line courses will be available. Note: there are many road crossings on medium and long courses.
The BBQ will be back in action with chef Ian cooking up free sausage sandwiches for all finishers.
Assembly area is adjacent to the eastern side of 64 Promontory Drive, Shell Cove with starts from 10-11am. See Eventor for details and to enter.
Pre-entry is recommended although enter on the day will be available to newcomers. No cash accepted – tap-and-go payments only.
Never orienteered before? Not a problem – you are most welcome to attend. Experienced orienteers will be at hand to provide guidance and set you on your way. The event is open to people all ages. You can run or walk, go individually or as a group. It’s a great sport for the whole family. Note: newcomers who complete three of the four events in the Spring Series will be offered a 12-month membership with the club.
Club meeting
Members are reminded there will be a club meeting after the event. All members are encouraged to attend.
The IKO Spring Series kicks off on Sunday 11 October with a bush event at Bomaderry Creek. The usual line courses will be available – short (2Km) , medium (4Km) and long (6Km). Starts are from 10am to 11am. Meet at the Bomaderry Creek Picnic Ground off Narang Road, Bomaderry. For details about the event and to enter go to https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/23851
Pre-entry is recommended although enter on the day will be available to newcomers. No cash accepted, tap-and-go payments only.
Those new to orienteering are most welcome to attend. Experienced orienteers will be at hand to provide guidance and set you on your way. The event is open to people all ages. You can run or walk, go individually or as a group. It’s a great sport for the whole family. Note: newcomers who complete three of the four events will be offered a 12-month membership with the club.
After the event we have a booking from 1-3pm in the Coach House at The Berry Hotel if you’d like to join us for lunch. Park in the carpark at the back. Enter via Princess St. RSVP to IKOrienteers@gmail.com by 8 October.
Other events in the series
Events will be held at a range of different locations in the southern suburbs of Wollongong, including a new map at Port Kembla. See below for dates, locations and links to Eventor for details. Pre-entries are encouraged and should be made through Eventor.
Note: No event has been scheduled for the last Sunday in October to allow those interested to enter the Sydney City Race. This year’s race will be held in the North Sydney area. This is only the second time a City Race has been run in Sydney. It is a fun event. Those who ran in the inaugural race in 2024 can attest to that. For details and to enter go to https://www.sydneycityrace.com.au/
Recent winning performances
NSW Championships
Congratulations to those IKO members who came home with medals from the recent NSW Championships in the Tuckland State Forest out Gulgong/Dunedoo way. From all accounts competitors enjoyed the running in the spur-gully terrain with the fast open forest, scattered Cypress Pine (Gulgaba) with occasional rocky outcrops and complex, intricate erosion gullies
Name
Class
Middle distance
Long distance
Vicki Wilmott
W65AS
1st
2nd
Michael Flack
M35AS
1st
2nd
Pippa Whitten
W16A
2nd
2nd
Phil Whitten
M35A
2nd
1st
Ferrygaine
Despite the strike that cancelled the F3 Ferry to Parramatta on the day, several IKO members were up to the challenge of planning courses with limited ferry services and came home as winners in last weekend’s rogaine held around the western side of Sydney Harbour. Congratulations to the following first place getters in their respective classes. Phil Whitten & Gill Fowler, David Green & Sharon Hopper, Sue Froude & Margaret Duguid, Ian Froude. Check out the IKO Facebook page for more details.
The 2026 NSW Middle and Long distance championships are being held in Tuckland State Forest in Central West NSW. Why not head out west and have a run in brand new territory. The Middle Distance event is set in rolling spur-gully, fast open forest with occasional rocky outcrops and intricate erosion gullies. Whilst the Long Distance event will be on undulating to steep spur gully with areas of complex rock. Check out the invitation and entry details at https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/24256
NOTE: Entries close midnight Friday 4 September.
Oceania Championships 26 Sept – 4 Oct
This year the Oceania Orienteering Championships are being held in the ACT over the period Saturday 26 September to Sunday 4 October. The carnival includes a stack of events: Sprint, Middle, Long and Relay, plus the Australian Schools Orienteering Championships and Flight of the Bogong public events. All events will be easy day trips from Canberra.
The Carnival begins with a weekend of racing in Namadgi National Park. The Oceania Middle Distance on Saturday 26 Sept will be on a new map, Bogong Creek. On the Sunday the Relay Championships will be in complex granite area at Honeysuckle Creek. The following weekend the Long Distance event will be at Mt Stromlo and the sprints at ANU. During the week the Flight of the Bogong 3 day event will be held alongside the Australian Schools Championships. Check out the details at https://oceania2026.orienteering.asn.au/Entries are via Eventor.
NOTE: Entries close midnight Saturday 5 September. Late entries close on 11 September.
Why not make a week of It. Visit the Aboriginal art site at the Yankee Hat rock shelter in Namadgi National Park. Check out the cherry blossom and the Cork Forest at the National Arboretum in Canberra – join in the Family Orienteering. Wonder over the monumental tapestries by Arthur Boyd at the National Art Gallery. Whilst there visit the Within Without Skyspace installation by American artist James Turrell, located in the Australian Garden on the south side of the Gallery building. Pop next door to the National Portrait Gallery and view the 2026 National Photographic Portrait Prize winner…..
Following the success of the inaugural Sydney City Race in the Rocks in 2024, the 2026 Sydney City Race will be held on Sun Oct 25. The race will be the North Sydney area, with superb Sydney Harbour scenery and stunning control locations… You can choose from 4-7-10-15km options or a 90 minute score course.
Get your entries in for final Metro League event of the year at Glenbrook in the Blue Mountains. All club members are encouraged to enter including those new to the Metro League format. We have teams in all divisions except Division 6. If you are unsure of what division to run in contact our team captain James at jistuart@bigpond.com. For these events IKO teams up with members of SHOO –our sister club in the Southern Highlands.
Entries close at 8am on the morning of the event. Details at https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/23838. Runners should also read the information bulletin.
Two IKO-SHOO teams are in the running for first place in their respective divisions . The closest match-up in the League is in Division 2 where WHO and SHOO-IKO are running equal on match points and for-and-against. Our Division 3 team also has a winning chance in the final where they are pitted against the CC-UR team who narrowly beat them on Round 5.Come along, have a run and cheer on our finalists.
FIRST TIMERS: You will need to log in to Eventor first & then check the drop down boxes to nominate Illawarra Kareelah Orienteers & select a Division that best suits your ability before proceeding to payment. …ON THE DAY…This is a teams event, however you can still pre-enter as an individual runner if you prefer. You may be approached on the day if teams are short. Likewise if we have too many entries for teams you may be asked to run up or down a division or you can just compete as an individual runner for that day. You can find out more about the Metro League at https://onsw.asn.au/events/metro-league
