Tag Archives: navigation

Illawarra Map Running Summer Series event # 2 – Sunday 16th Feb at Windang

Following the success of the first Illawarra Map Running (IMR) Summer Series event for 2025 at Shellcove last Sunday we are looking forward to this weekend’s event at Windang. Keith Jay set a high standard with his courses at Shellcove – the different route choices posing a challenge to the runners. The weather was kind, the rain held off, and we were able to enjoy not only the orienteering but the post event sausage sizzle under a sunny sky. It was pleasing to see so many families and individuals prepared to try orienteering for the first time and we hope to see them again this Sunday at Lake Illawarra.

The venue for IMR Summer Series #2 is Pelican Park, Shellharbour Road, Lake Illawarra. There is street parking (off Reddall Parade). Starts are from 10am – 11am. Course closes at 12pm. For details go to https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/21573
Newcomers are welcome and club members will be available to help you on your way. There will be a free sausage sizzle for competitors after their run.

NEWCOMERS who take part in 3 out of the 4 listed IMR Summer series 2025 events will have the chance to win a free 12-month membership with the Illawarra Kareelah Orienteering Club. Conditions apply: offer available to newcomers only (not applicable to previous membership holders).

Start the New Year with a score event at Surry Hills

The first IKO event for 2025 will be held on Wednesday the 8th of January on the brand new Surry Hills map. Starts are from 4.30 to 6.45pm. The event is part of the Sydney Summer Series and we are in for a zinger of a course navigating the many intricate streets and laneways of Surry Hills. Those living in the Sutherland and Illawarra areas can travel in comfort by train to Central Station – the assembly area at Coronation Hall (Community Tennis Centre), Prince Alfred Park, is a 5 min easy walk from the Devonshire & Chalmers St exit to the Station.  See the information bulletin and course setter notes for details.  Pre-entries via Eventor are encouraged though enter on the day will be available.

As well as the usual 45min Score event there will be a Mini course for the littlies set within Prince Alfred Park that does not cross any roads or carpark areas.  

ILLAWARRA MAP RUNNING SPRING SERIES 2024

The Illawarra Map Running Spring Series 2024 starts on 19 October and runs to 9 November.

The events are held on Saturday mornings with starts from 10am to11am. See dates and locations below. At the end of the event there will the be a free sausage sizzle.  Novices and regular orienteers are all welcome to join in these fun events. Long (6Km), Medium (4Km) and Short (2KM) line courses will be offered and members will be around on the day to help any newcomers. Pre-entries via Eventor are encouraged (see links below) otherwise just turn up and enter on the day.

Sat 19 Oct Shellharbour – Dawes Park, Junction Rd, Barrack Point https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/20724

Sat 26 Oct Gwynneville – Wiseman Park https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/20725

Sat 2 Nov Croom Sports Complex, Albion Park https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/20726

Sat 9 Nov Unanderra – Charcoal Park, cnr Princes Highway & Factory Rd https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/20727

Next event – Metro League#1 Appin 7 April

It is now time to turn to the Autumn events calendar and the first of the Metro League events – the annual inter-club competition for greater Sydney metropolitan clubs. IKO is responsible for organising the first Metro League event this year which will be at Appin on Sunday 7th April. All members are encouraged to attend. Anyone volunteering to help out on the day will be able to enter the event and have a run, but you need to pre-enter and let our Club Captain James Stuart know at ikorienteers@gmail.com. Entries close at Midnight 6th April.

The Metro League runs from April through until August/September with events conducted on one Sunday morning per month. Teams of five compete against each other. Courses are of a Moderate (Division 4-6) or Hard (Division 1-3) standard and a variety of distances. New members are especially welcome to come along and find out what it’s all about. If you would like to run in a team contact our Club Captain James Stuart at ikorienteers@gmail.com. If you haven’t done bush orienteering before we suggest you enter Division 6.

Otherwise turn up and compete in one of enter on the day courses that will be available. There will club members on hand to help you with your bush navigation. For event details and to enter go to https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/20286.

 For more information on the Metro League see https://onsw.asn.au/events/metro-league

Bush Navigation Skills Training Day – Saturday 6 April

Bold Horizons are running a bush navigation skills day at Campbelltown on the day before the Metro League event. The workshops will run from 9am to 3pm. Introductory, intermediate and advanced orienteering skill sessions will be offered. The day will be split into three sessions with a variety of exercises aimed at improving specific orienteering and navigation skills. You need to register for the training day – Entries close Thursday 4th April. For further information go to https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/20426

Why not make a weekend of it – brush up your bush navigation skills at Campbelltown on Saturday and test them out at the Metro League at Appin on Sunday.

Update on the Illawarra Map Running Series

We are three down and just one to go in this year’s map running series. How many have you completed? We’ve been pleased with the attendance so far, and its great to see eager new faces showing up to multiple events to have a go at orienteering. Don’t forget beginners can claim a free club membership by competing in at least 3 of the 4 events. That’s a saving of $60 for a senior!

At South Wollongong Ken made sure competitors got their money’s worth in the bushland of Greenhouse Park, with most people doing at least 2 laps of the various tracks. The hike up the hill was rewarding though with rarely seen views over Port Kemba.

Keith was interviewed by local radio at the Kiama Downs event where we had 54 competitors take on the hills of the Downs. Steve made use of every inch of the map, including some tricky turpentine forest which turned out to be much more challenging than it seemed!

Another great roll up at Thirroul today, with 46 competitors, with around 10 of those being non-club members. We are always grateful for the show of support from our neighboring club in the Southern Highlands, even if it is to come down and try and steal first place!

Our final event is on 3 March 2024 when we will be showcasing our newest map at Shell Cove. If you missed the premiere of this map last year make sure you put it in your diary. Afterwards all club members are invited to stay on for our AGM.

View the gallery above for a look at our first 2 events in photos.