The spring edition of our “Illawarra Map Running Series” is fast approaching, kicking off on Sunday 12 October. This year we have all new course setters who are putting the finishing touches on their courses in the southern Illawarra.
Old favourites include courses around Kiama and Kiama Downs. We will also be showcasing a beautiful patch of bushland at Blackbutt Forest which we haven’t used in a while. The forest was alive with birds when we were out map checking, and there are lots of interesting trails to explore. We will also be debuting a new map “out the back” at Jamberoo featuring the town and the scenic parkland along Hyams Creek.
Traditional line courses of 2km, 4km, and 6km will be on offer each week. Starts are between 10-11am each Sunday. As in previous years, newcomers who complete all four events will be offered a 12-month membership with the club.
The Metroleague Final scheduled for this Sunday August 31st in Mitchell Park has been postponed. The area has been flooded and National Parks have advised that the event cannot go ahead as scheduled. Members will be advised when a replacement date is announced.
NSW State Championships 13-14 September
There is still time to enter the NSW State Middle and Longdistance championships. The closing date has been extended to Friday 29th August. Having run on the map at last year’s National Championships I can assure you that you it will be well worth the trip to Armidale/Uralla.
Next Sunday’s MetrO League event will be held at Western Sydney Parklands. Courses: Hard –Division 1 – 4, Moderate – Division 5, Easy/Moderate – Division 6, and Very Easy. MetrO League competition starts: 10:00 – 10:30am. Check details and enter at https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/21607 Tip for 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.
All club members are eligible and encouraged to participate. For those club members new to MetrO League, come along – it’s a good way of trying out orienteering in the bush. Let James Stuart, our Metro League team captain jistuart@bigpond.com, know if you want to run in a team and/or if you need advice on which Division you would feel comfortable running in. Non members can also attend and run as individuals. Limited enter on the day courses will be available from 9:30 – 10:00am and 10:30 – 11:00am.
…ON THE DAY… You may be approached y if teams are short. Likewise if we have too many for teams you may be asked to run up/down a division or you can just compete as an individual runner for that day.
2nd August – Bomaderry Creek – NEW MAP
Come along and run on Illawarra’s latest bush map and stay for lunch at the Bomaderry Bowling Club afterwards.
NSW schools middle distance and sprint championships will be held in the Southern Highlands. The middle distance event will be run on the Tallowa Gully map near Bundanoon. Sprints will be held on the Chevalier College map. Check eventor for details.
A final reminder that the club is conducting a training day in the forest in the Helensburgh area this coming Sunday 1 June from 10am to 3pm.
The focus of the training will be on techniques for navigating in the bush/forest to help you improve your bush orienteering skills. Both newer club members and regulars who’d like to brush up on their bush navigation skills are welcome to attend. Activities will be suitable for those new to competing in the MetrO League events. Come along and learn how to recognise rock features and navigate your way accurately through the bush. You will receive an introduction to, and a walk-through, of the map, guidance on navigation techniques before participating in some orienteering navigation exercises. At the end of the day you will be able to compare your route choice with the other competitors and discuss optimal route choices using Livelox technology. Instruction on Livelox will be provided. Bring your compass and GPS watch if you have one.
Enter via Eventor by midnight 31 May 2024. Note: there will be no enter on the day.
For those of you who know the basics of orienteering and are now keen to improve your performance when competing in the forest we suggest you check out the British Orienteering “Think Fast, Run Hard, Go Orienteering” series of instructional videos.
Our sister club Southern Highlands Orienteers (SHOO) will be hosting this event at Kentlyn, near Campbelltown . All club members are eligible and encouraged to participate. We would like a repeat of the last MetrO League event where all IKO teams had a win. Non members can also attend and run as individuals. Limited enter on the day courses will be available. These events are a good way of trying out orienteering in the bush.
Enter through Eventor at https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/21605Tip: 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. NOTE: Division 2 team have a bye this round, so will compete as individual entries.
For those club members new to Metro League, come along and give it a try. Divisions 3-5 are Moderate and Divisions 1 & 2 are Hard navigation.
…ON THE DAY… You may be approached on the day if teams are short. Likewise if we have too many for teams you may be asked to run up (or down if appropriate) a division or you can just compete as an individual runner for that day.
