The first of the 2026 NSW State league forest events will be conducted near Molong in western NSW on the weekend of 21st and 22nd March. The courses will be run on the spectacular granite area – Gumble Pinnacles – rated as one of the best orienteering areas in Australia and used for previous national and state level events. Gumble Pinnacles provide the prefect opportunity to try out your orienteering skills in typical Australian granite terrain. Why not join the IKO contingent and head for the hills for the weekend and combine orienteering with some wine tasting at the renowned Orange wineries or a visit to the “Dish” at nearby Parkes. Details are available on Eventor at https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/22668
The first event will be held at Nurragingy, Doonside in Western Sydney on Sunday morning 29 March. Go to Eventor for details and to enter the event. See table below for the list of venues and dates for the 2026 Metro League series.
Those members interested in competing in this year’s Metro League series should emailing IKO Metro League Team Captain James Stuart at jistuart@bigpond.com. Please indicate which rounds, if any, you could attend and advise which division you wish to compete in. At this stage we are just looking for an indication of numbers in each of the teams.
All IKO members are encouraged to compete no matter your level of proficiency. Contact James if you are unsure which Division you would be comfortable running in.
We will again be partnering with our sister club SHOO. At this stage we are intending to field combined teams in Divisions 1, 3, 4 and 5. The number of teams in each division may change depending on interest.
2026 Venues and Dates
Round
Date
Venue
Organising Club
1
Mar 29
Nurragingy
Big Foot
2
May 3
Galston
Garingal
3*
May 24(TBA)
Grays Point
Illawarra Kareelah
4
Jun 28
Pennant Hills
Bennelong
5
Jul 26
Boggabilla
Uringa
6
Sep 6
Glenbrook
WHO
* IKO looking to swap to another date.
New to the Metro League? This is a team competition with line courses requiring bush navigation around the Sydney metropolitan area. Teams of 5 from the various clubs battle it out over 5 rounds to determine the teams that will be in the finals in Round 6. There are 6 Divisions of competition, all with different courses:
Divisions 1-3 are graded Hard
Division 4-6 are graded Moderate
Division 6 courses are intended for competitors transitioning from urban to bush orienteering and juniors.
Back to SUNDAY this week for the final event in the Illawarra Summer Sprint Series. Usual start time – 10am – 11am. Meet at Shellharbour City Stadium, 110 Croome Road, Croome. For details go to Eventor at https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/23298
Photos from last weeks event at Albion Park High School.
There be the usual sprint line courses, Short (1.4Km), Medium (2Km) and Long (2.9Km) as well as the opportunity for all competitors to run the short course in the mass start event held after all competitors have returned from their run. Who will be the winner? Will it be local hero Joel Mion or will one of the Sheddon brothers have the honour? If you aren’t interested in participating stay on to watch it – it is very exciting. You can enjoy the free sausage sizzle while you are waiting.
NEWCOMERS: As with all our events newcomers are welcome to enter. There will be members on hand to help you on your way. You can pre-enter using Eventor – in which case you need to register first (follow instructions on How to enter on Eventor as a casual) and then go into the event calendar and select the event. Otherwise you can enter on the day at the event. Payment is by card. No cash.
REMINDER: this is the last chance for newcomers to be in the running for the FREE 12-MONTH 2026 MEMBERSHIP on offer for attending three of our Illawarra Summer Sprint Series. Those eligible will be notified by email of their success with an option to accept or decline this offer. Note the offer is only available to newcomers only (it is not applicable to previous membership holders).
It will be on for young and old. Not only will there be the usual sprint courses, Short (1Km), Medium (1.7Km) and Long (3Km) there will be a specific 1.5Km course for any competitors game enough to enter the mass start event that starts after competitors have completed their run. Who will be the winner? Will the younger Euan Sheddon repeat last week’s result and beat big brother Rory? Will local hero Joel Mion have a clean run? If you aren’t interested in participating it is worth while staying on to watch it – it is very exciting. You can also enjoy your free sausage sizzle while you are waiting.
NEWCOMERS: As with all our events newcomers are welcome to enter. There will be members on hand to help you on your way. You can pre-enter using Eventor – in which case you need to register first (follow instructions on How to enter on Eventor as a casual) and then go into the event calendar and select the event. Otherwise you can enter on the day at the event. Payment is by card. No cash.
REMINDER: CHANCE FOR NEWCOMERS TO WIN A FREE 12-MONTH 2026 MEMBERSHIP by attending three of our Illawarra Summer Sprint Series: Sun Feb 1, Sun 8 Feb, Sat 14 Feb & Sun 22 Feb. After completion of the series, those eligible will be notified by email of their success with an option to accept or decline this offer. Conditions apply: offer available to newcomers only (not applicable to previous membership holders).
Be ready for some fast decision making on the run at the second Illawarra Summer Sprint event this Sunday 8th February at the University of Wollongong.
In contrast to last week’s courses at the Kiama Blowhole Headland which featured controls in the rocky foreshore as well as the parkland and a degree of climb, the UoW courses will be flat with many route choice options and opportunities for error. There will be three courses to choose from and the option of running more than one course. Start times are from 10-11am. All competitors must finish by 12noon.
Note: After all competitors have finished there will be a mass start for the short course sprint. Everyone who has run a course is welcome to participate. At the Kiama event this proved very popular amongst both competitors and spectators.
There will be NO sausage sizzle this week as the Uni cafe will be open and available for refreshments.
Pre-entries are recommended but there will be the ability to enter on the day at the event. Pre-entries are via Eventor at https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/23296. If you haven’t entered before on Eventor you first need to register and then go back to the event webpage to enter and pay on line.
The information flyer on Eventor contains details of location, parking, courses as well as mapping notes. Why not take the train and relax as you travel through the Royal National park and down beside the coast – it is very picturesque. The assembly area is a 20min walk from North Wollongong Station.
Newcomers and families are most welcome to attend. You can walk or run, go individually or as a group. Club members will be on hand to introduce you to the sport and set you on your way.
Members are reminded to renew their membership online if they want to receive the member discount.
