Come orienteering at Whiteknights

Thursday, 13 May 2010

Orienteering - a sport for all abilities

Dr David Jukes, Senior Lecturer in The Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences is restoring an old tradition on the Whiteknights campus by staging an orienteering event on campus to which everyone is invited regardless of their fitness level.

Dr Jukes, who is Secretary of Berkshire Orienteers said; ‘About 30 years ago there was an active student orienteering club - Reading University Orienteering Klubb and several orienteering events were held at that time.  However, the club folded and the use of the campus for orienteering ceased.  Although most orienteering events are held in areas of woodland or on heath land, recently there has been a growing interest amongst orienteers for a variety of terrains and type of event.'

‘Berkshire Orienteers are this summer holding a series of 4 ‘park' events in the Reading and Wokingham area starting at Whiteknights on Saturday 22 May. I have prepared a special orienteering map of the campus and a selection of courses will be available from a short (1km) course for children up to a 6km course for the more experienced adult orienteer.'

Competitors will have to find a number of ‘controls' which are marked on their map.  Whilst the control points are fixed (and, for the event, marked by red and white markers), the route between the controls is up to the competitor. As a competitive sport, enthusiastic orienteers run around the course so have to navigate whilst running at speed.

The event is open to the public all staff and students who would like to give the sport a try or who just fancy an interesting walk around the campus are very welcome.

There are five courses available depending on experience. Orienteering is an outdoor adventure sport enjoyed by people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. Registration begins at 10am on Saturday 22 May. Cost £3.00 or £1.00 for juniors. Gather at the large temporary Contractors Car Park by the SportsPark. It will be clearly signed.

More details are available on the Berkshire Orienteers web site at: http://www.bko.org.uk/content/bko-parks-challenge-2010