Which course should you enter?
At District events, courses are graded for physical and technical difficulty by colour. It is recommended that the new orienteer should tackle a course which is not too technically demanding, even if it is shorter than he would like, until he learns the basics of the sport. Nothing is more demoralising than to fail to complete a course! The table shows what the various courses at a typical event are likely to offer:
Occasionally, at some events you may find other colours such as Purple and Black. Purple is usually a long Red, Black an even longer Brown.
|
Course |
Typical length |
Typical control no. |
Difficulty |
Other comments |
|
WHITE |
1.0-1.9 | 7-10 | Very easy | Mainly on paths. A control at every change of direction. Children should start with White, but can run Yellow *non- competitively at the same event |
| YELLOW | 2.0-2.6 | 8-10 | Easy | On paths or other line features. At most there will be 2 decision points per leg |
| ORANGE | 2.5-3.5 | 8-12 | Medium | Some controls are on point features, but are easy to navigate to. A good start for adults |
|
LONG ORANGE |
5.0-7.0 | 12-15 | Medium | Orange standard but longer. A good course for runners |
| LT. GREEN | 3.0-4.0 | 10-14 | Harder | Physically easier than a Green, but will be quite difficult technically. May suit the older competitor. |
| SHORT GREEN |
3.0-4.0 | 12-18 | Hard | This course is aimed at the older orienteer who wants technical difficulty without so much length. Although not always offered, the course always features in EALeague events. |
| GREEN | 3.5-5.0 | 12-18 | Hard | As technically difficult as the terrain will allow, but shorter than Blue. |
| BLUE | 5.5-7.5 | 15-22 | Hard | More physical than Green, but similar technically. . |
| BROWN | 7.5-10.0 | 15-25 | Hard | The ideal course for the fit, experienced |
