Urban orienteers to take over Kingussie tomorrow
IT’S all happening in the capital of Badenoch this weekend - both indoors and out.
While bookworms will be inside, enjoying the second of Kingussie’s “Turning Leaves” festivals, the local orienteers will be kicking leaves out of their way in the streets as they launch a major new event.
Badenoch and Strathspey Orienteering Club (BASOC) is staging an urban sprint orienteering competition which will see 200-odd athletes dashing round the town clutching maps, compasses and electronic timing tags.
The event takes place on Saturday, and as organiser Johannes Felter assured the “Strathy”: “Anyone hoping to sign up on the day can come to the Duke of Gordon Hotel.
“If they’re there by 3pm they’ll be able to join in the fun.
“This is an electronically-timed treasure hunt through the streets of Kingussie, with about 30 ‘controls’ marked with bright flags which competitors must navigate to as quickly as they can. The club has just produced a specially-commissioned map for this event, with the whole of the town drawn in minute detail – so it’s a great way to get to know your home like never before. Most adults would take between 25 minutes to 45 minutes to complete the course.
“There will be courses suitable for adults new to orienteering, he said, “and is a great way to spice up your running if you are getting bored of just jogging.”
The event is also part of the Scottish Urban Orienteering League, so orienteers from all over the country will be descending on Kingussie for the day.
“More information can be found by searching online for “BASOC”.
It is going to be an exciting spell for orienteers.
Next summer, Inverness and Highland region will host the World Orienteering Championships (WOC2015), which will also feature urban sprint orienteering at the highest level.