May 24th saw only the second ever World Orienteering Day, with thousands of participants taking part in different events and activities throughout the UK.
The British Army Orienteering Club delivered an individual military training orienteering competition on World Orienteering Day at Longmoor Training Area.
Lt Col Chris Huthwaite, who is Chairman of the Army Orienteering Association describes their day of action:
“The British Army Orienteering Club delivered an individual military training orienteering competition on World Orienteering Day at Longmoor Training Area.
“We were blessed with a beautiful day and were fortunate to be kept cool in the glorious foliage of the training areas trees. With 305 competitors, Richard and Bobby Baldwin did a sterling job controlling the eager soldiers and civilian competitors, who took off at speed into the forest. In addition, orienteering training was arranged in the morning by Colin Metcalfe (British Army Orienteering Club), and well over 40 soldiers attended the initial 1 hour briefing on the map and skills; after which 20 plus young men and women took to the forest for a ‘walk & talk’ skills session.
The atmosphere in the assembly area was electric, as soldiers and civilians compared, congratulated and commiserated on their runs.”
“A great team event, relying on a Team Leader to allocate ‘Other’ controls to his team members. World Orienteering Day has been a huge success, with numerous World Orienteering Day shirts, hats and snoods on display. The British Army looks forward to participating in WOD 2018!”
This is just one example of the many events and activities that took place during World Orienteering Day. British Orienteering would like to take this opportunity of saying thank you to the British Army Orienteering Club and to Lt Col Chris Huthwaite for their contribution to World Orienteering Day 2017.