Urban Event Guide
Urban Orienteering: The MetrO Series
These summer events are held on weekends from November to February, in parks and quiet streets around the Perth metropolitan area. There is an event in a different suburb each week, and sure to be one near you! Anyone who can read a street map can understand an urban orienteering map, and the events are very popular with newcomers and family groups as well as hardened orienteers.
Courses range in length from 3-8 km. Participants receive a map marked with up to 30 controls (checkpoints) and can choose their own route, visiting a required number of controls, in any order.
There is a beginner briefing before each event and event organisers are available to help you get started.
Each is a stand-alone event, but points based on placings are accumulated towards a series score for standard events. Your best 7 scores from 12 events for the 2020-21 season contribute to your overall series score, and awards will be presented at the last event.
At the event:
- Pre-enter and check the directions to the event on the website in Eventor
- Arrive between 4:15 pm and 4:45 pm for Saturday afternoon events
- Fill out a registration card, if not already registered, and take it to the registration table, where you will receive your SI card (if you don't have one) to record visits to controls
- Go to the briefing for newcomers 20 minutes prior to the event start
- You will be shown the map and an example of a control marker, and given some hints to get you started
- Wait for the start announcement usually 4:55 pm (for 5pm start)
- Enjoy your walk or run!
- Try to be back at the finish by the time limit (when winners are announced and spot prizes are drawn)
- Make sure you report to the finish, even if you did not complete the course, so we know you are safe.
A few rules to remember:
- obey all road rules and take care crossing roads
- respect private property and stay out of areas mapped as out of bounds (see the map below)
- stay on tracks in bushland areas if requested to do so
- don't interfere with other sporting events (eg don't run across cricket ovals during a game!)
What's an urban orienteering map look like?
Here is an example map and course you might receive at an event. The control points are marked with purple circles, and there is a legend to help you decode the rest of the symbols. Try planning the route you would take for one of the courses.
For more information:
See the friendly event organiser at your next MetrO Series event or email OWA