Tag Archives: illawarra

IKO Spring Series starts Sunday 12th October

Dust off your running shoes and get ready to open the Spring series with a run on the brand new Jamberoo map. The usual line courses will be available – short (2Km) , medium (4Km) and long (6Km). Starts are from 10am to 11am. Meet at the carpark at Kevin Walsh Oval, Churchill Street, Jamberoo. For details and to enter go to https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/21601. Enter on the day will also be available.

Come and join us run on the new map and enjoy the free sausage at the end of the run.  Stay around after the event to explore the local area – have lunch in the café or the pub. Make a day of it and visit the Jamberoo Action Park.  

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 all four events will be offered a 12-month membership with the club.

2025 MetroLeague Final Cancelled

Following the wash out of the MetroLeague final at Mitchell Park in August ONSW has made the decision to cancel the final of the 2025 competition and award trophies and medals to those teams on top of the table in Divisions 1-3 (GO, SHOO-IKO, WHO). Those teams on equal points who would have contested finals in Divisions 4-6 will be jointly awarded the trophy and medals. (GO M + BN, GO + WHO, WHO + BN).

IKO member Phil Whitten will receive a medal as a member of the SHOO-IKO team who were outright winners of Division 2. Daughter Pippa will also receive a receive an individual medal for her performance in Division 5. Congratulations to them both. 

An award ceremony will be held later in the year.

Spring into orienteering with IKO

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.

POSTPONED!

Unfortunately due to the impending weather forecast for this weekend our Bomaderry Creek event this Saturday will need to be rescheduled. The narrow gorge will be uncrossable and the steep terrain too slippery and dangerous to safely proceed with the event.

Stay dry everyone, and we will let you know when we have a new date to showcase this spectacular new map.

Events coming up in July/August

28th July – MetrO League # 4

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.

Note: The organiser advises that you wear full body cover for this event. Pre-enter at https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/21577. Scroll down for details.

17th August – MetrO League #5 – Lapstone

Check eventor at https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/22663

23rd & 24th August – State League events 13 & 14

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.

New map – Come and explore Bomaderry Creek

On Saturday 2 August we are looking forward to the debut of our new map in the rugged and picturesque Bomaderry Creek Regional Park just north of Nowra. Map-maker Keith has been working hard on this map over the past year and its finally time for our first run! The park features a mix of forest, sandstone cliffs and boulders, and a hidden gorge filled with the sound of running water (and cicadas in summer!).

Access: Head south on the Princes Highway and once you pass the Golden Arches turn right onto Narang Rd at the round-about. Look for the club flag to indicate the track access and follow the track to the picnic area. The parking area is tiny so park on Nerang Road. Toilets, water and BBQ facilities are available at the picnic area.

Courses and terrain: Traditional line courses of 5km, 3km and 1.5km will be available. The terrain is quite rugged and some of the cliffs are high and dangerous. Keith has advised that full body cover is recommended due to the thickness of the vegetation. The creek is generally uncrossable except where indicated on the map.

Starts are from 12:00 – 1:00pm. After packing up we will adjourn to the Bomaderry Bowling Club for drinks and a bite to eat.

Entry and more info here: https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/21577