What better way to mark World Orienteering Week than to bring orienteering to Parkrun at the Heriot-Watt University campus at Riccarton, quite literally a world-class orienteering venue? After last summer’s fantastic World Orienteering Championship sprint relay event (and parallel open competition), the excellent map that had been created for that was crying out for more use. Given that every Saturday a large number of active outdoorsy people gather outside Oriam Sports Hall for Parkrun, linking the two things up was a no-brainer.

A considerable number of orienteers are regulars at Parkruns around Edinburgh and the Lothians, so it was a pleasure to support Oriam Parkun through a Volunteer Takeover on Sat 17 May.   Interlopers and Edinburgh Southern Orienteering Clubs joined forces as we are both Edinburgh based clubs and share an interest in raising wider awareness of orienteering as a great way to exercise outdoors.  The combination of running (or walking) and volunteering is something both orienteering and Parkrun have in common, as well as a relaxed sociable vibe and friendly competition for those who want it, across all ages and abilities.

(Parkrun Briefing, by Katherine Ivory)

With yet another perfect blue-sky morning, 192 Parkrunners took part including ones from as far afield as Birmingham and Australia. The Juggling Parkrunner was also present – a very impressive guy!  There was also a good showing of Interlopers runners (even if they appeared in the results under other clubs), in addition of course to INT and ESOC marshals around the course. Max Carcas, INT chair, added vital new information to Martin Caldwell’s pre-run briefing, namely not just a free orienteering taster session for afterwards but as added incentive to come and try it, free cake and chat! 

(Parkrun Start, and INT runners finishing, by Katherine Ivory)

Colin Eades’ introductory course was designed for Parkrunners looking for a fun warm-down activity, as well as anyone else who’d like some map-based adventure.  A set of white-and-orange kites marking controls took a couple of dozen orienteering-curious participants round an anti-clockwise circuit of the campus taking in features such as the loch before skirting round the sports hall to return to the finish. The taster was set up in the style of an orienteering competition with SI timing devices at each control (checkpoint). This meant we could run a Leader Board, with some very respectable performances by our taster-event entrants – well done all!  Mike and Elspeth took the podium place for fastest newcomer, with Colleen and Alison just a few seconds behind, followed by Felix and Hannah. With young legs and experience as an orienteering junior, Lucy was fastest overall.

(Taster Briefing, and Briefing Area, by William Ivory)

Not only did everyone make it back from the course without search parties but the general feedback was that participants would make it back for another orienteering event which was great to hear!  June actually sees two open-to-all events at the Heriot-Watt campus (in addition to other local events in the area), with Interlopers running one on Sat 7 June (for details see www.interlopers.org.uk) and ESOC running one on 21 June (for details see www.esoc.org.uk).  Visit https://www.scottish-orienteering.org/fixtures-results/ for the full calendar of Scottish orienteering events.

Many thanks to all the Interlopers and ESOC club members who volunteered their time to support Parkun and the orienteering taster session, particularly Colin Eades (INT) as planner. Thanks to Oriam Parkrun for having us along, with support from Martin Caldwell (ESOC) as Parkrun Run Director, and thanks too to Heriot-Watt University for permission to hold the taster session.  Finally, thanks to everyone who came up to find out more about what orienteering is all about and took part in the taster event – we hope to see you again soon!

(Parkrun Volunteers (Anon))

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