Following the success of the orienteering race at the inaugural Stromlo Running Festival in February this year, Australia’s best orienteers will be racing around Stromlo Forest park again in early 2010 (February 19-21). This time orienteering will be a bigger feature of the weekend, with the elite race being scheduled at the more attractive time of Saturday morning and the “novice” (non elite) competitors will have the option of racing the elite courses. The novice race will be held Saturday afternoon and the country’s top elites will be there to offer advice on how to improve (or start!) your orienteering.

The racing in 2010 promises to be even more exciting than the 2009 world games style loops race. Runners will be competing for over $1000 prize money, making this again the richest orienteering race in Australia. Organiser and Canberra Cockatoos coach Grant McDonald will be putting on challenging mass-start one-man-relay style (Hagaby) race which will not only keep the competitors on their toes, but should provide spectators with some head-to-head racing action. Orienteering Australia head coach Rob Preston is planning a number of technical training sessions over the weekend, making it a great opportunity to get some race experience and prepare for the Australian 3 Days which will be held in Canberra in April.

Get your entry into the SRF before it’s too late!