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Grab your map and compass 鈥� find yourself with orienteering

7 September 2018

In early 2018, at Balmoral in Royal Deeside, the crème de la crème battled it out for the British Orienteering Championships — not just a test of physical ability but of mental dexterity as well.

Runners only learn their destination at the start of each race, when they pick up their map; they’re never given the same journey twice.

It’s all about making quick decisions on the spot and then running through the wilderness.

The Adventure Show on 大象传媒 iPlayer

Full coverage of the British Orienteering Championships.

A supreme test of physical fitness and mental dexterity.

Former British champion Claire Ward described the basics of the sport while attempting the women’s course used in the British Championships.

Claire explained, “You have to hold yourself back slightly to make sure you know exactly where you’re going and why because, otherwise, with every hesitation you could be running one minute a mile slower — so it really is the navigation that counts.”

Working with a compass attached to her thumb, she held its tip at her position on the map so that, whenever she glances down, her eyes go straight to her location.

Considering the sport’s appeal, she said “I think people enjoy the mental challenge; it’s like a crossword. You could probably go online and solve that crossword clue, but would you get the same satisfaction? And orienteering is the same thing in a way, I think.

“It pays off to focus on putting all your concentration into nailing that checkpoint.

“It’s just such a buzz. A good planner will put tricky little [checkpoint] controls at the end of the course. Athletes are tired; the brain’s starting to switch off — it’s when they most need to be focusing.”

A handy guide to get you up and running.

The international orienteering flag

The term ‘orientering’ – meaning to cross unknown land with the aid of a map and compass – originated from Swedish military training in 1886.

It began as a sport among officers and then transferred to civilians.

The first competition open to the public was held in Norway, in 1897.