Tag Archives: wollongong

Illawarra Summer Sprint #2 at UoW Sunday 8 February

Be ready for some fast decision making on the run at the second Illawarra Summer Sprint event this Sunday 8^th 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.

Final event in 2025 IMR Summer Series – #4 Figtree on 9th March

The Illawarra Map Running Summer Series is winding up next Sunday with the final event at Roy Johanson Park, Europa St. Figtree. There will be the usual three line courses – long (6Km), medium (4Km) and short (2Km) and classes for walkers as well as runners. Starts will be from 10am – 11am. All competitors must report back by 12noon. See Eventor for details about the event and to pre-enter. There will be a free sausage sizzle for competitors after their run.

Newcomers and beginners are always welcome. Whilst we encourage everyone to pre-enter via Eventor novices are welcome to turn up and enter on the day, but you must bring your credit/debit card – no cash is accepted. Members will be available on the day to help you on your way.

Newcomers don’t forget: if you have attended at least three of the Illawarra IMR Summer Series events you will be in the running for a free membership of Illawarra Kareelah Orienteers for 2025.

It was good to see so many IKO members competing in the NSW MiniRogaine at Kamay NP last weekend. There was quite an entourage and a number of place getters. Congratulations to Joel Mion and friends who won the under 23 class and came second in open men teams race. That was quite some feat with so many seasoned rogainers competing. For those interested you can view the results here.

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

Illawarra Map Run Series ends

The fourth and final event of the Illawarra Map Running Series was held on the 3^rd March in brilliant sunshine at Shell Cove. There was a good turn out bringing the total number of competitors for the series to 165. As well as enjoying the challenge of the courses set by David Green the finishers eagerly tucked into the free sausage sizzle cooked by master chef Ian Froude. Our thanks to Ken Mills, Stephen Holloway, Vicki Wilmott and David Green for organizing four successful events in the series.

A warm welcome to all the new members who recently joined the club, including those who competed in 3 or more of the Illawarra Map Running events and took up the offer of free membership. Looking forward to seeing you at our coming events.

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.