Tag Archives: illawarra

IKO Spring Series starts Sunday 11 October

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.

DateLocationDetails
18 OctoberShell Cove https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/23852
1 NovemberPort Kembla https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/23853
8 NovemberOak Flats https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/23854

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

NameClassMiddle distanceLong distance
Vicki WilmottW65AS1st2nd
Michael FlackM35AS1st2nd
Pippa WhittenW16A2nd2nd
Phil WhittenM35A2nd1st

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.

Attention Athletes! IKO Strava Club officially launched.

Join the Illawarra Kareelah Orienteers community, track your training, and connect with runners across the region. Joining the IKO Strava Club is a great way to add a bit of friendly competition amongst members. Track your weekly totals, chase segment times, and cheer on teammates as they hit their goals.  Click here to join.

Many IKO members already use Strava, which is like the social media for sports people. It  works on any smartphone and can be connected to your watch. You record your walk or run, and it automatically appears in the club feed if you join the IKO Strava club, however there are privacy controls if you don’t want this to happen. Note: you need to register with Strava in order to join the IKO Strava Club.

For many athletes, Strava becomes a fun way to keep active, celebrate progress, and now to stay connected with the Illawarra Kareelah Orienteers community. Whether you’re doing a short coastal walk, a gentle jog, or a full training session, your activity counts and you can celebrate your progress with fellow club mates.

Parkrun enthusiasts

There is also the opportunity for IKO members to join the IKO group if you do Parkrun. Search for Illawarra Kareelah Orienteers in the Parkrun app under Extras – Clubs. You can download the app at https://www.parkrun.com.au/

For those new to Parkrun it is a free, community event where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. Parkrun is 5k and takes place every Saturday morning at one of the 550 locations across Australia. Junior parkrun is 2k, for 4 -14 year olds and their families, and is run on Sunday mornings.

A run with a difference  – Stanwell Park Sunday 23 August

The courses for this week’s orienteering event incorporate routes through an open-air art gallery known as “Art in the Park”.  Dotted along the tracks are giant bird’s nests each containing a solitary ceramic egg, hand painted by local artists and community members. There is even a giant human sized bower.

 The usual range of short, medium and long line courses are available. Starts are between 10 – 11am.  See https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/24392 for details and to pre-enter.  For newcomers enter on the day will be available. Payment by card  or bank transfer only. Club members will be available to help you on your way.

Make a day of – catch the train, it is only a 15min downhill walk to the start. After the event join IKO members at the local beach café and/or walk the famous Seacliff Bridge  

Local event at Stanwell Park Sunday 23 August

Come along and enjoy a run in Stanwell Park before the hoards arrive for the summer. There will be three line courses available short, medium and long as well as a walking category for those not keen on running. All comers are welcome. For those interested in trying orienteering club members will be available to introduce you to the sport and set you on your way.

Starts are from 10 – 11am from Stanwell Park Beach Reserve. Details about the event including the exact location are available from Eventor at https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/24392 Pre-entries are encouraged although it will be possible to enter on the day. Payment will be via credit card or bank transfer. No cash. To enter on line you first need to register with Eventor .

The Stanwell Park Kiosk /Park and Tide Cafe is close to the assembly area and will be open for breakfast and lunch. So why no take the opportunity to stay after the event and discuss your route choices with fellow orienteers over lunch or a coffee.

IKO Junior headed for Canberra

A big CONGRATULATIONS to IKO Junior Pippa who has been selected to compete at the Australian Schools Orienteering Championships to be held in Canberra in September 2026. Pippa has been demonstrating her rising talent at all levels of orienteering this year, from local events, to Metroleague and State League events (pictured here at Baal Bone on the Kings Birthday weekend).

Congratulations to Pippa and the other selected members of the team. We wish them good luck for the competition later this year!

Senior Girls:
Jessica Dunn
Matilda Saunders

Senior Boys:
Alton Freeman
Ho Lam Marcus Cheung
Matthew Slater
Rory Shedden

Junior Girls:
Alexandra Slater
Charlotte Seeto
Isobel Newton
Justine de Remy de Courcelles
Pippa Whitten
Tiffany Palmer

Junior Boys:
Baxter Peel
Euan Shedden
Harrison Grubits
Michael (Guoxuan) Zhao
Presley Scouller-Evan’s
William Headley
Shay Sweeney