Author Archives: ikoadmin

2023 Illawarra Map Running Series final event

The final event in the 2023 Illawarra Map Running (IMR) Series was held on the Figtree map on Sunday morning 19 February. There was plenty of route choice and those cunning runners who chose to avoid the hills and conserve their energy in the morning heat by keeping to the flat ground were the winners. Check out our Facebook page for the maps and courses. See results in Eventor. Congratulations to those competitors who competed in all three events and have received an offer to free membership of Illawarra Kareelah Orienteers for 2023.

Thanks to Ken and Helen Mills for organising an enjoyable event.

Volunteer of the Year 2022

Steve Holloway receiving his award from Ken

Congratulations to our very own Stephen Holloway who was awarded the honour of Volunteer of the Year for 2022 by Orienteering NSW.

The award was passed on to club President Ken Mills who presented it to Steve at our recent AGM in Wollongong. The Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to a member/s who are recognised for meritorious service to the sport of orienteering in NSW.

Making orienteering visible in the general community in the Illawarra region, Steve has been paramount in initiating and implementing hands-on workshops at Wollongong and Thirroul libraries to attract newcomers.  These successful 2-hr workshops offer the public a chance to experience orienteering instruction via a video then a hands-on demo course, followed by a course in the nearby local area.  More library workshops are being considered for this year. 

Steve also provides coaching in local schools to support their orienteering programs and is an invaluable and pro-active member of our club.  Well done Steve, we appreciate everything you do for our club and our sport!

Illawarra Map Running #2 Fairy Meadow

It was all smiles at our 2nd event of the Illawarra Map Running Series today at Fairy Meadow. Course setter Vicki made the most of Guest Park and Cabbage Tree Creek with a few slightly hilly forays into the surrounding streets for the medium and long courses.

We had 30 starters including 7 newcomers and a couple of visiting Austrian orienteers who came first and second on the medium course! David and Helen provided great instruction at the start for those new to the sport.

The short series concludes next week at Figtree where Ken and Helen have warned us that our feet may get wet!

Below are just a few of the happy faces snapped at today’s event. See Facebook for more photos.

Illawarra Map Running February 2023

Get ready planning your weekends in February – the Illawarra Map Running Series is back for 2023! It features 3 consecutive Sundays of orienteering in the Gong aimed at attracting new participants to the sport.

Any newcomers that compete in all three events will earn a free Senior or Junior membership with IKO for the remainder of 2023 (worth up to $60). Friendly coaching and advice is always on hand to get you started.

The series begins on Sunday 5 February at North Wollongong, with the other 2 events at Fairy Meadow (12 February) and Figtree (19 February). Start any time between 10am and 11am.

Entries are now open via Eventor. Pre-entry is preferred but payment by card is an option for newcomers on the day.

A few photos from our previous events on these three maps are below.

River and Bay Series Events #4 and #7 coming up

Yarra Bay Sunday 20th November

Why not head up to Botany Bay this Sunday and enjoy the stunning views as you run around your course and cool off afterwards with a dip in beautiful Yarra Bay. Meet at Yarra Recreational Reserve, Kooringai Avenue, Yarra Bay. Starts are from 4 – 5pm. Details are available on eventor. Pre-entries via eventor are encouraged, enter on the day registration will be available.

Final event of River and Bay series – Chifley

Sunday 11th December

Join us celebrate the final IKO event of the year at Chifley, near La Perouse. Meet at Chifley Sports Reserve (off Bunnerong Road), Starts are from 4 – 5pm. Details are available on eventor. Pre-entries via eventor are encouraged, enter on the day registration will be available.