Street Orienteering Race in Crouch End, 13th March

Street orienteering is an informal urban version of an orienteering race, where the aim is to navigate around a number of points marked on a specially drawn map in the quickest time possible. 

The challenge involves picking the best route and successfully navigating it as quickly as possible. At the top level, orienteering is a highly competitive sport, but the majority of people participate in the sport for fun, and there are events that cater a wide range of ages and ability levels. 

There is a social side of the sport too, and those who take part say they meet an interesting range of people from all walks of life. 

In the urban version of the sport, Street Orienteering,  you are given a special map of the local area, with the aim of running around looking specific locations on the map - typically after dark!. You will also be given a clue sheet, which will ask a question for each location, which you will be able to complete when you find the correct location – e.g. “name of the pub” or the “colour of door at number 20″.

Each location is assigned a point value – generally the ones further away from the starting point are worth more points. The time limit is generally 60 minutes with time penalities for being late. 

At the start of this post is an example of what a map looks like.

Interested? There's a 'Street-O' race in Crouch End on 13th March. Organised by the South London Orienteers, it is a public race and all are welcome.

Entry Fee

£1 for SLOW members, students and juniors, £2 for others.

Timings

Registration: Between 1815 and 1930

Start Times: Between 1830 and 1930

Kit you'll need

The organisers say that all you should need is running kit (fluorescent clothing is recommended for safety), a pen and a watch. Although the races take place after dark, you should need any light since the event is always under streetlights. A compass is not required

If you'd like to take part, you can sign up on the Facebook event page or by email at trail@sloweb.org.uk 

South London Orienteering website.