On the Day

What to do on arrival at the event

  • The event will be signposted from local roads with a red / white sign. On arrival in the car park, you will be given a sheet containing details about the event including course lengths. The distance given is for the straight line between controls, but you will take up to half as much again. The courses could take you 15 – 20 minutes per stated kilometre.
  • Pick a suitable course. Most local club events (Level C) are based on colour coded courses, which are roughly consistent in length and degree of difficulty at all events. A national badge scheme for members of British Orienteering, exists at a higher level than colour coded events, with competitions based on the age of competitors. You will receive details of this if you join British Orienteering.
  • Fill in your name and other details on the yellow registration card; include the names of all members of your group as our event insurance requires this. Make sure you complete it fully – including car registration number, which we need as a safety check in case you forget to report to the finish.
  • Look for REGISTRATION and map sales, normally a parked car or tent.

How do I register

  • Go to the registration tent to register and pay for your course. There will be someone there who can help you get started and give an introduction to the sport. At smaller events start times are not allocated so you can start when you want, otherwise ask for a start time allowing 15/20 minutes to collect your equipment and get to the start – competitors on each course start at 1 or 2 minute intervals. You will need to hire an electronic sport IDENT card (aka “dibber”) which is used to record your time at each control (Cost 50p).
  • Entry will usually cost about £7.00/8.00 for adults over 21 and £2.00 for under 21’s *(club members received a £2 discount).
  • You will be given a list of control descriptions for your course which will give details of the code letter to look for on the control banner and information about its location.You can also hire a compass if needed.
  • Check your equipment and go to the start, which will be signposted and only a short walk away.

 What to do at the start

  • You need to clear your dibber of any previous course information by poking the dibber in the special electronic box marked “CLEAR”, waiting approx. 5 seconds until it beeps. If you have been allocated a time, you are called into the start boxes in time order normally three minutes in advance and the dibber is double checked by the start official.
  • Then when you are ready to start, usually at minute intervals when the whistle / beeper sounds, poke the dibber in the start box to record your start time and away you go.
  • Follow the tapes to the master maps. Pre-marked, waterproof maps are usually provided Locate the map for your course and check you have the right map.
  • A red / white control flag is located at the point marked on your map with a triangle. Choose a route to control number 1 and off you go. You should complete the course by visiting controls in the correct order.

 What to do at the controls

  • Controls are marked with a red and white control flag and also an electronic box on a stake. Each control has an identification letter (e.g. AE) or number corresponding to the letter / number on your control description sheet. If you have found the correct control, record your time at the control by punching your dibber into the electronic box – leaving it in the box until you hear a bleep.
  • Continue around the course, punching the controls in order, until you hopefully arrive at the finish – a double circle on the map.
  • Then follow the directions to where you download the electronic information held in the dibber. NOTE – YOU MUST ALWAYS REPORT TO THE FINISH & DOWNLOAD YOUR CARD EVEN IF YOU DO NOT COMPLETE THE COURSE, OTHERWISE A SEARCH WILL BE MOUNTED INCURRING A LOT OF VOLUNTARY TIME AND EFFORT FROM THE ORGANISERS.
  • Do not be frightened to ask directions if you get lost in the forest. We were all beginners once.
  • At the Download station – usually a blue tent at NOR events, you will be given a printout showing your overall elapsed time and split time at each control.

How do I get results

  •  Results are often displayed at the finish, and they will be posted on the club website shortly after the event. We try to do this the same day. They are also available on the British Orienteering Results web page.
  • The results enable you to compare your time to your fellow competitors in many different ways using specialised software Winsplits. Another piece of software called Routegadget enables you to plot your actual route on the map and compare it to other competitors on your course.