The Better Orienteering web site is being constantly developed and expanded and is well worth a look, perhaps especially now that we’ve all had an enforced lay-off and may benefit from re-visiting and refreshing our skills. One of the latest additions is a YouTube playlist of orienteering videos, with something for all skill levels.

Unfortunately Walton Chasers have been unable to secure permission for their scheduled League event on the 11th October.

Although the CompassSport Cup/Trophy Final will not be taking place in Sutton Park next month, the embargo will be extended by one year to the end of October 2021 until such time as the venue of next year’s Final is confirmed. A map of the area covered is here. The Rules of Orienteering define the implications of an embargo and conclude that “competitors should use their common sense and avoid putting themselves into the position where they could be judged to have gained an advantage.”

Sunday September 13th 2020 Wrekin Orienteer’s first race since “The Break”. Fitting in a way that its the Long-O, as you’ll put as much effort into one race as you would for all the summer events (that didn’t happen)! Read the details here before entering here.

Update (15 Sept.): The Long O was fully subscribed with 100 entrants, well above the usual level of entries for this event – clear evidence of how keen orienteers are to get back to their sport! Competitors (and organisers) were rewarded with a glorious day to be out on the Long Mynd – the warm weather meant that dehydration replaced hypothermia as a risk, and made the courses feel even tougher than the steep sided valleys normally would! Winners were Kristof Nowicki (WRE, Long course), Clive Richardson (WRE, Medium), Duncan Bayliss (WRE, Short) and Richard Rogers (WRE, Very Short). A rare clean sweep for the hosts!

This year’s West Midlands Orienteering Association AGM will be held online via Zoom on the 12th October. Details, including instructions on how to join the meeting, will be circulated shortly via your club’s email list.

Harlequins are setting up a number of Virtual Orienteering courses using the free MapRun smartphone app. Full details are here

This year City of Birmingham OC are holding a “virtual run” using the MapRunF app. Full details are here; you can run it at a time and date of your choosing up to 30th June. And if anyone is worried about breaking the CSC/T Final embargo on Sutton Park then they’re doing it wrong…. running round the perimeter is definitely OK!

Harlequin Orienteering Club’s annual run around the Clent Hills is happening in a modified, socially distanced way this year. See the full details here for how to take part any time between the 11th and 18th June.

A new dimension to your running during lockdown, for beginners and experienced orienteers alike. Click here to get yourself out and about, exploring the towns and parks throughout Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

British Orienteering announced today that Alison Sloman (HOC) had won the 2019 Trophy for “best contribution to mapping”. Read more, including Alison’s reaction, here. Congratulations!