The standard format is used for most events and official competitions. Participants complete a defined course of specific control activities in a specific order. An interval start is used when each participant starts at a different time. There are several courses available, each with different difficulty and duration. The winner of a course is the person who has the fastest time on that course.

Evaluation (rogaine)

Participants visit as many checkpoints as they can, in any order, within a certain time limit. A mass start is used when all participants start at the same time. Checkpoint values are often weighted based on difficulty, and there is usually a significant penalty for exceeding the time limit. The winner is the one who scores the most points; ties are broken by faster times. A rogaine is a long (2-24 hours) scored course, often using a small scale map (up to 1:50,000).

Relay race

This is a team competition. The first competitor in the team completes their course (standard type) and marks their teammate who completes the course (standard type). A mass start is used when all runners on the first stage start at the same time. Often these courses branch off so that each participant can find their way around.

Night orienteering

Night orienteering is any of the above-mentioned sports that takes place at night.

Each participant has a headlamp to help them navigate the course. The controls are usually reflective to help the participant.

Course styles

Sprint

Sprint courses are courses that are often held in urban settings (parks and college campuses) using a large-scale (1:4000) map. They emphasize fast running and decision-making.

The expected winning time is 12-18 minutes.

Medium

Intermediate courses are designed to focus on reading a technical map on detailed terrain.

The expected winning time is 30-40 minutes.

Classic

The classic course is a traditional course that combines route selection, running on the terrain and technical navigation.

Expected time to win: 30-80 minutes depending on the course level

Long course

Long distance courses emphasize route selection and cross-country running.

Estimated winning time:

30-100 minutes depending on the course level

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The orienteering course is marked with a start, control points and a finish. Between these points, which are given an exact location on the ground and, accordingly, on the map, there are races, which the participants must navigate.

The point from which orientation on the first leg begins is marked on the ground by a control prism without marking devices and a triangle on the map. Participants must orient themselves immediately from the start.

The course sections (between controls) are the most important elements of the orienteering course and largely determine its quality. Within the course, you should offer different types of races, some of which should require intensive map reading, others easier to choose the way of movement. There should also be variations in the length and difficulty of the course. Races that encourage competitors to cross prohibited or dangerous areas should be avoided.

Control points (CPs) are located on terrain features marked on the map. Participants must visit them in a given direction, if such an order is defined, but following their own chosen path. Controls should not be located on small objects that can be seen only at close range, unless there are other auxiliary objects on the map.

Controls on different courses that are too close together can be confusing to athletes who are moving correctly to the control. Only if the objects of the controls are clearly distinguishable both on the ground and on the map may controls be placed closer than 100 meters apart.

Finish. At least the last part of the course to the finish line must be marked.

Competition uniform

Clothing should be lightweight, elastic, protecting against undergrowth and branches and providing maximum freedom of movement even when wet.

Footwear – lightweight, durable shoes with a special tread on the sole that provides a confident grip on the ground.

Compass. Special sports compasses are used for orienteering.

Map – the participant receives a special thematic map at the start with the course marked in red. The map contains detailed information about the terrain: relief, vegetation and objects such as rocks and stones.

Control card – orienteers must make marks on a special card at each control as proof that all controls have been completed in the correct sequence. The device for marking on the control can be a colored pencil, a composter or a special electronic device.

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When preparing the map, you should take into account the criteria for the size of the displayed objects, at which they will be distinguished on the ground, forest visibility and passability. The boundaries between different types of land surface are also useful reference points for athletes. It is important that the map shows the boundaries of swamps, hard ground, rocky areas, and rocky outcrops.

The passability and visibility of the terrain affects the choice of path and running speed. Information about this should be shown on the map by classifying the paths of roads, swamps, water obstacles, passability of rocky outcrops and forests; showing the condition of the surface, ground and the presence of open spaces. Clearly visible vegetation boundaries should also be shown, as they can be used by the athlete when choosing a path.

The map should contain details that are visible on the ground and are important from the athlete’s point of view. That is, all symbols should be clearly drawn, in acceptable sizes for normal vision.

On maps, all inscriptions are oriented in the south-north direction, which makes it easier to navigate. In addition, as a rule, the edge of the map sheet is also parallel to the magnetic meridian.

Maps prepared for mass competitions often include a table with symbols for the main signs, which makes it easier for beginners to navigate the course. In addition, such a map has bright arrows pointing north. But, regardless of the class of competition: for mass categories or masters of sports, the map must be accurate.

The accuracy of sports maps in general depends on the accuracy of measurements (position of objects, their shape, height) and the accuracy of the drawing. The accuracy of the position on the map should be consistent with the accuracy measured by the compass and steps. Terrain details must be drawn with such precision to ensure that the athlete, using the map, compass and footsteps, will not be able to tell the difference between the map and the terrain.

Objects or points that an athlete connects in his or her mind during orienteering are called waypoints. When an athlete moves from one object to another along the azimuth, such points are called points connected by azimuth. Objects (points) that the athlete does not connect to each other while moving along the course are called unconnected points.

The accuracy of the shape display is the most important thing for an athlete.

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