Our 2016 Urban Series brings together a variety of urban environments for a series of 9 events on school, park and golf course properties and other interesting venues. From the very young to the very old, there’s a course for you. Explore and discover the adventurous side of our city through our Urban Series and learn to find your way using a map.
2016 Urban Series dates & venues
| Day | Date | Location | Pre-register online | Event information |
| Sunday | 31 January | St Stithians | Results on RouteGadget | |
| Sunday | 14 February | Rietvlei Zoo Farm * | Results (PDF) Attackpoint RouteGadget |
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| Saturday | 27 February | Jackal Creek Golf Estate | Results (PDF) | |
| Saturday | 5 March | Eagle Canyon Golf Course | Results (PDF) | |
| Sunday | 13 March | De Vos Farm (Midrand) | Results (PDF) Attackpoint |
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| Saturday | 9 April | Randpark Golf Course | Results (PDF) | |
| POSTPONED | ||||
| Sunday | 8 May | Edenvale High School | Results (PDF) | |
| Sunday | 15 May | Westcliff/ The Ridge School | Results (PDF) | |
| Sunday | 22 May | Emmarentia | Results (PDF) |
* Note: earlier than usual starting time
Overall Log
The overall standings in the 2016 Urban Series are as follows:
Detailed event information
Event information sheets are published about two weeks before each event. These give directions and parking information in addition to brief details about the terrain (grassy, paved, buildings, vegetation) and any special entry information. Please check the calendar above to download relevant event information sheets.
Pre-registration online
One of the most challenging aspects of organising orienteering events is knowing how many people are going to show up and how many are doing which course. We encourage you to pre-register before each event so that we can ensure that we have sufficient maps – this really aids our planning.
Courses and distances
Each event offers four courses to cater for all ages and abilities.
- Men’s course: perfect for men with some navigation experience; distance is 3-4km (winning time of <20 minutes)
- Women’s course: perfect for women with some navigation experience; distance is 3-4km (winning time of <20 minutes)
- Explorer course: a 2km course with easy navigation, especially for newcomers. This fun course is not too challenging technically or physically.
- Kiddies: this 400m course is for young children, accompanied by a parent. Using a map they’ll find cartoon characters and receive a lollipop at the end.
Times
Participants are set off at intervals – not a mass start – and there’s no need to be up at the crack of dawn.
- Registration: from 08h00 to 09h00
- Starts: from 09h00 to 10h30
- Courses close / prize giving: 12h00
Please ensure that you register and start within these defined time periods.
Entry fees
Please see each event sheet for entry fees as they may differ if admission fees are required. As a general guide:
| Category | Pre-entry | On-the-day |
| Seniors (+21) | R80 | R90 |
| Juniors / Students | R50 | R60 |
| Groups (3 max) | R90 | R100 |
| Discounts on pre-entry and on-the-day entry fees are: SAOF Club Members: R10 Own EMIT: R10 |
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Prizes
Prize giving takes place by 12h00. Course winners receive prizes. Lucky draw follows. Additional prizes will be awarded to top ranked participants at the end of the Series.
Log rankings
Results are compiled from each event and participants are ranked. Your best five (5) results from the 9 events count towards your final ranking. It’s good fun to see how you rank compared to other participants on your course – especially for the more competitive among us.
Contact
Zoe, our friendly and helpful person, will gladly answer your questions about fitness, terrain, navigation, children’s courses and anything else that comes to mind. Contact her on 082 961-1253.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What happens when I get there? Where do I go and what must I do?
Follow the signs to the registration tables. At registration pay the entry fee and receive your electronic timing card. Helpful people are on hand to explain about the maps and how to use the timing card. When you’re ready, walk to the start area where helpers there will show you what to do. You’ll only receive your course map at the start. Take your time – there’s definitely no rush. Work your way around the course, visiting the locations (we call them ‘controls’) in number order – #1, #2, #3… until you arrive at the finish.
You’re not going to be a superstar on your first outing – it takes a while to get used to concentrating on running/walking and reading a map and looking for controls (and trying to ignore other people on different courses). You’ll most definitely improve your skills and fitness with each event.
I’ve never read a map before. Can I still come along?
Of course! This is the best place to learn. And navigating is so much fun and the skills learned here can be applied to hiking and sports like adventure racing. We’ve got friendly people around who will show you the basics. The rest comes with practice and experience.
Is my child too young?
We don’t think that any age is too young. Moms and dads take part with babies in backpacks and the little ones quickly learn how to spot a control flag – it is quite incredible! Once they’re a bit bigger, todders do the kiddies courses accompanied by their folks. The very young ones don’t entirely get it but certainly from the time children are about 4yrs old, they can hold a map and turn it in the right direction to look for the control. Children can read maps before they can read sentences properly. Amazing! Children thrive on being outdoors and as they acquire navigation skills they develop confidence outdoors too.
All areas used for this Urban Series are fenced and safe. Even if your child is over 7yrs, definitely accompany them for their first few events. We then recommend ‘shadowing’ once they get the hang of it – this is where you follow a distance behind without interfering – and thereafter they can go off on their own.
