Lakeland Orienteering Club

Newcomer - Your questions answered

Last updated: Thu 12 May 2022

A selection of questions often asked by beginners an newcommers to the sport of orienteering.

Don’t you get lost all the time?

Everyone gets lost sometimes, but you work out where you are sooner or later! It can be disheartening, but as you become more experienced and your navigational skills increase, you'll spend less time making mistakes.

It’s very unusual for the top competitors to get lost for any significant length of time, and when every second can make the difference between winning a medal and not, they generally consider even a few seconds’ hesitation to be time wasted.

Do you have to be able to run for hours?

Courses come in a variety of lengths, and as with navigational difficulty, most races offer a range of different course lengths, so there should be something suitable for all levels of fitness. The winner’s time for the hardest and longest course can vary between 15 minutes and almost two hours, depending on the type of race.

The top competitors will often be national standard road or cross-country runners, but the mental component is just as important and they also need fantastic navigational skills in order to win medals.

Doesn’t everyone just follow each other?

All the runners on the same course will start a minute or two apart to prevent everyone from following the person in front. Sometimes people catch each other up, but it’s never a good idea to blindly follow someone in case they make a mistake or they’re not looking for the same control as you.

How do you know when you’ve got to the right place?

Each control is marked by a small orange and white marker, and has a unique code you can check to make sure you’ve found the right one.

Can’t you just cheat and say you’ve been to all the controls?

Everyone carries an electronic chip that they register at each control to prove they’ve been there. When you finish, you get a printout of how long you took between each control, meaning you can compare with other people and see where you lost time.

Where do you do it?

Anywhere! Big races in the UK in the past year have taken place in locations ranging from the streets of Central London and Edinburgh to remote mountainsides in the Scottish Highlands and the Lake District. Races take place across the country every weekend, with common venues including forests, moorland, town centres, parks, and university campuses.

Do you need loads of expensive kit?

You’ll need running clothes and trainers, including long running trousers if the race is in the countryside. A compass is very useful, particularly on the more difficult courses, but you’re not allowed to use a GPS or the map on your phone to help you! Some races might require you to carry a whistle for safety. You can cheaply hire the electronic timing chips at each race, and your entry fee will include your own copy of the race map.

How do I know how hard the courses are?

Most races offer a range of courses with varying degrees of navigational difficulty, so there’s something to suit all ages and levels of experience. The easier courses stick to paths, while the harder ones require more complex navigation and advanced map reading skills. How the courses are graded will vary from race to race, so it's best to ask one of the race volunteers, who'll be happy to recommend a course for you to try.

Are there any age limits?

Orienteering is for any age from 5 to 90. At an event there are normally many different courses set. The very youngest could have a string course to follow. They then progress through easy white and yellow courses. The courses then progress in difficulty and length so there is something for the fast adults through to the older but still agile seniors.

Are there any permanent or virtual courses available?

Lakeland Orienteering Club have set up a series of “Maprun” virtual courses that can be done at any time. Maprun is an app on your phone which allows you to select and download a map and course to your phone. There are no physical controls on the ground, but your phone will “beep” when you arrive at each control location. From the LOC Home Page, find the green Maprun logo, and drill through the menu to find the courses and a user guide. Contact the coordinator for a real map to follow.

LOC have no Permanent Orienteering courses, but the nearest ones can be found on the British Orienteering website.

Sounds great! How can I give it a go?

There are orienteering clubs across the UK, offering races at weekends and sometimes on weekday evenings. Some clubs also offer coaching sessions for newcomers.

Useful links

British Orienteering race calendar