It is a sport not as well›known as rugby, but just as tough and extremely fast›paced.
The South Island Secondary Schools Orienteering Championships were held last month in both Balclutha and Gore.
First up was a sprint event mapped out at the South Otago High School and a marathon course the next day at Dolamore Park, outside Gore.
Convener Myles Thayer deemed the race a success and congratulated all winners and competitors.
‘‘The event was very well done.
‘‘We were very appreciative of both the South Otago High School and Rosebank Primary School giving us the opportunity to make use of their facilities and grounds for the event,’’ he said.
‘‘Everyone had a good time in the sprint race and Otago Boys’ High School competitors seemed to clean up with the best results.’’
The sprint event had competitors lined up raring to go, waiting on the designated mapping for the area which they followed as they ran.
Competitors had attached finger sticks to press into a control point which would beep if they were in the correct place on the course.
Organiser Ann Bixley said some competitors were unable to attend due to other competitions and sickness.
‘‘We had some clash due to the North Island championships going on at the same time as ours, and many didn’t come due to being home with sickness or Covid,’’ she said.
Thayer encouraged people to learn more about orienteering.
‘‘It’s a very enduring sport, it’s fast›paced, challenging and a sport to think on your feet as quick as you can.’’
Results can be found on the Dunedin Orienteering website.
