Orienteering

Event Types

What types of event are there ?	What's a string course ?
Do I have to run in my age class ?	What happens if both parents want to take part ?
How long are the courses ?	Are there any other types of event ?
What if I have small children ?	Am I limited to the region I can run in ?

What types of event are there ?

The three common ones are Colour Coded, Badge and National Events. Let's explain . . .

Colour Coded	The courses available will be a selection from White, Yellow, Orange, Red, Light Green, Green, Blue, Brown and Black. White is the easiest and shortest. Brown, or black, is the most difficult and the longest.
Badge	Courses are based on age. The age groups are as follows : M[en] 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 and 70. W[omen] 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 and 70. Junior classes (M/W 10-18) have A and B classes. Senior classes (M/W 20-70) have Long and Short courses. You enter a class dependant upon your age. You 'move up' a class in the year that your birthday occurs. For example, if you're 49 in the year 2000 you would run in M/W45. Next year, i.e. when you're 50, you'd run in M/W50. You change class from the 1st January.
National	These are regional events but have the same course structure as Badge Events.

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Do I have to run in my age class ?

No. If, for example, you're an M35 you can 'run up' a class in M21. However, you can't run down a class in M40. If you prefer a shorter course you compete in M35S.

Women can also compete in Men's classes.

How long are the courses ?

A White [Colour Coded] or W/M10 course would normally be in the region of 1.5km.

A Brown or Black [Colour Coded] or M21 course would normally be in the region of 10-12km.

However course lengths vary considerably according to the terrain. In generally flat terrain courses are longer, whereas in more challenging terrain, courses are shorter. Other factors that are taken into account are the amount of 'climb', or height gain, and the nature of the terrain. For example, open fell guarantees much faster going than dense plantation.

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What if I have small children ?

Small children are catered for in one of two ways. If they're capable of doing a M/W 10 class then they may, they don't have to be 10 years old to do so.

Alternatively, most events organise String courses.

What's a string course ?

A string course is exactly as it sounds. A length of string is laid out to form a closed loop. Controls are placed along the string. Children follow the string, punching their map at each control (just like the bigger boys and girls !), knowing that as long as they follow the string they can't get lost. This introduces them to the concept of orienteering and helps to build their confidence.

Parents are always welcome and may follow children to ensure they don't get lost.

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What happens if both parents want to take part ?

Well it can be something of a logistical exercise ! It's catered for with 'split starts'. One parent is given an early start and the other a late one.

It's become a lot easier with the introduction of electronic punching, because instead of organisers having to assign a specific time for the second start, they just advise the parent who runs second to go to the start as soon as is convenient.

Are there any other types of event ?

Like most things in life there are always other possibilities . . .

Multi-day	Badge or National Event standard events where times from two or more events are added to give a cumulative result.
Night	Colour Coded, Badge or National Event standard events . . . but at night !
Relay	Competitors run for their clubs in teams of 3. Different relay classes exist for different age groups.
Score	Competitors are given a set time, e.g. 1 hour, to visit as many controls as possible. Different controls have different points values. The furthest controls are worth the most points.

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Am I limited to the region I can run in ?

It depends on the type of Membership you hold.

If you're a member of a club or region, you can compete in any Colour Coded or Badge Event within your reqion. For example, if you were a member of South Ribble, you could compete in any Colour Coded or Badge Event within the North West region.

If you're also a member of the British Orienteering Federation you can run in any event, anywhere in the country. This is subject to any specific restrictions an event may have.

Last Updated : 27.07.07