Enjoy the solstice with an orienteering run in the Canmore Nordic Centre.
This event will be a gentle introduction to orienteering racing. A free clinic will explain the basics of navigation using the orienteering map and simple racing strategies. A mass-start race will follow in the Canmore Nordic Centre trail system. The clinic and race course will be designed for first time and intermediate level orienteers of all ages and fitness levels. Individuals, teams, and family entries invited.
For those who prefer to follow a marked route through the forest there will be a 5km trail run, taking you on an ever-changing variety of trails. You will carry a map and will have a handful of orienteering controls to visit along the course.
For bikers there will also be a mountain bike option. We've teamed up with the Rundle Mountain Cycle Club. For more information visit the RMCC website.
This event also marks the 2011 Grand Opening of the permanent orienteering courses which has been installed at the Nordic Center to give groups and individuals the opportunity to develop their navigation and map reading skills at their own convenience on a series of increasingly challenging orienteering courses.
This event is a "come and try it" event, it is open to all levels of ability, fitness, and orienteering experience.
Event Schedule
| Wednesday June 22nd 2011 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 6:00pm - 6:45m | Clinic | Bill Warren Training Centre |
| 7:00pm | Bike race start | Nordic Center Stadium |
| 7:02pm | Running race start | Nordic Center Stadium |
| 8:00pm | Awards | Nordic Center Stadium |
| 8:30pm | Course closing | |
Registration
Click here to register online.
Register online to avoid lineups and delays on the day. On the day registration will be subject to a $2 extra fee.
Entry fee is $10/person. Entry fee includes the clinic, race, post-race burger, and annual club membership (required for insurance),.
Race Info
Scatter Orienteering Race
A mass-start at 7:00pm. The distance depends upon your handicap and route - it will vary from 3km - 7km. We expect very fast running times from the winners but even walkers will have plenty of time to complete their course. Once the race starts you will be given a trail map with about 15 control points marked, located at trail junctions, bends, creek crossings, etc. The number of controls required is based upon a self-assessed handicap (see below).
Strategy is the key. You choose which control points to visit and in which order. You will have 60 minutes to visit as many control points as possible. Each control you visit scores you 10 points, but each minute you are late returning costs you 10 points. The person / team with the most points will be the winner - ties are decided by time.
If you can follow a trail map, like to try something new and are keen to go head to head against all race entrants, then the scatter event may be just the thing.
| Class | estimated 5km time & orienteering experience |
| Pro (approx 7km) |
under 25min plus some / lots of orienteering experience |
| Warrior (approx 5km) |
over 25 min OR under 25min with little / no orienteering experience |
| Trotter (approx 3km) |
over 30min with little / no orienteering experience |
5km Trail Run
For those who prefer, there will be a 5km trail run. The course will be marked with small orange flags and will take you on an ever-changing variety of trails giving you lots of enjoyable running. You will carry a map and will have a handful of orienteering controls to visit along the course.
What to wear
- Sturdy running shoes or hiking boots. They will get dirty, so don't wear your favorite new shoes.
- Tights or long running pants. Keep in mind that you might want to take shortcuts through the forest, so your clothes might get snagged or torn - so wear old stuff.
- Long sleeve shirt - an old technical shirt is a good choice.
- Bring a change of clothes (including socks!) to switch into after the race.
Maps
Maps will be in plastic bags to protect them during the race. The maps are yours to keep after the race.
Event details
| Officials | Adrian Zissos (email: adrian 'at' barebones.ca) Charlotte MacNaughton (email: charlotte 'at' barebones.ca) |
| Map |
Canmore Nordic Centre (new in 2007) Scale: 1:10,000 with 5m contours |
| Notes | Part of National Orienteering Week |
| Entry fees | $10/person - includes annual club membership. Kids race is free. |
| Directions |
Park at the Canmore Nordic Centre Day lodge. Start / Finish are in the stadium. The clinic will be held inside the Day Lodge. |
First Aid and Emergency
- Adrian Zissos is the Safety Chief
- Limited first aid is available at the finish.
- Contact Adrian Zissos (cell: 403 585 8478) in the case of serious injury or an overdue competitor.
- Medical services are available in Canmore. Dialing 911 will contact emergency services.
Super important SAFETY information
- You must always report to the finish, even if you don�t finish your course. This is to avoid us worrying unnecessarily and/or pointlessly executing our emergency search procedure. Regardless of anything else, you must report to the finish by course closing (at 8:30pm).
- Everyone must carry a whistle. In an emergency, repeatedly blow three blasts on the whistle until help arrives. Competitors hearing three whistle blasts must abandon their race and go to give help.
- Consider carrying a cellular phone if you are unfamiliar with the Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park terrain. Call the Day Lodge (403.678.2400) or make noise to alert others of your presence if you become lost.
- Make lots of noise as you travel through the woods to alert wildlife of your presence. For more information on dealing with wildlife, please visit www.wildsmart.ca
- Pay attention to the details of the map � avoid steep hills or other natural hazards.
- At the Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park there are many options for which trails you can take from one control point to another. The straightest line is sometimes not the fastest way from one control to the next � the terrain between the control points could make another route faster. Consider your route carefully!
Results
Results will be posted here following the event.
Clinic - Introduction to Orienteering
Free clinic in the Bill Warren Training Centre (which is the building just past Trail Sports). No pre-registration required.
This clinic will cover the rules, the map, navigation, route selection, and safety. In addition, it will cover the logistics of the race, including the start, what to do when you arrive at a control, what to do at the finish, and proper use of the timing equipment. No previous orienteering experience necessary.
Links
- Orienteering Lingo
- Foothills Wanderers Orienteering Club - local orienteering club's "intro to orienteering" page.
- Barebones - greatest event in all Canada! Held in Whistler, July 9 - 13
- Alberta Orienteering - news and schedule of events in Alberta & neighboring areas
- Canadian Orienteering Federation - many Orienteering resources and links