National Orienteering Race 2023 Rules

Race rules and guidelines

Version update 28th May 2023

Administration

1) Teams will be participating in their assigned category. Only the top 3 teams of each category will be deemed as the podium winners.

The participating categories are:

• Primary School (Age 10 – 12) – Race in pairs
• Secondary “C Division (Age 13-14) – Race in pairs
• Secondary “B Division (Age 15-16) – Race in pairs
• Polytechnic  (Age >17) – Race solo
• Adult Pair (Age > 18) – Race in pairs
• Families (min. 1 adult) – Race in groups of 2-4
• PA GRO Pair (Age > 13)

*Participants in the Primary School, C and B division must race in the same gender pairing. 

2) Race winning criteria : Highest number of checkpoint found in the shortest time. Penalties apply for coming back later than the cut-off time of 1 hour.

3) Teams will only be issued the race map at the start Line. Adequate Reading and Map reading time will be allocated for each team before the start of the race.

4) Each team will be given a specific (wave) start time of their run based on the category of their race. It is the responsibility of the team I/C to check the notices on the race day for the latest reporting time. Teams will report to the roll call point only when it is their time to do so (eg. 30 minutes before actual start)

Safety

1) Teams are strongly encouraged to have their own navigational compass and writing instruments (eg. Pen, Clipboard) for the duration of the race. Use of mobile phones should only be used in the event of emergencies.

Emergency Contact number: To be given on event day / printed on race map.

2) Each runner should come dressed in proper running attire (ie. Sports attire and proper shoes). Water can be assessed by means of water coolers in the facility / park and runners must bring their own bottles.

3) During the race, each team runner needs to be within 2m of each other when moving on the course. Penalties apply for failure in doing so.

4) Cut off time for the event will be capped at 1 hour* upon flagged off. All teams are to report back to Start/Finish Line ASAP at the cut off time.

*Should runners start late, no extra time will be given to complete your race.

5) In Orienteering, there isn’t any prescribed race route to take between the checkpoints and the decision planning is left to the racers. Racers can cut across any areas marked as an open field and between trees. However, they should not tramp on any flowerbeds, gardens, or run into any building compound.

Jaywalking is also not allowed. All racers are required to abide by all existing traffic regulations and the directions of race marshals. Failure to compliance will lead to immediate disqualification.

Race Guidelines (NORS 2023)  

1) All checkpoints will be marked by a circle on the map. The center of the circle will be the location of the actual checkpoint itself.

The Start is denoted by the triangle symbol and the Finish is by a double circle.

2) On the map, a legend will be provided for participants to reference the respective colour & symbol used on an orienteering map.

3) Winning Criteria (in order of importance):

• First Criteria: Get as many checkpoints as possible within 1 hour. Each CP have different point weightage.
• Second Criteria: Should there be a tie, running time will be considered. Fastest time will be ranked forward.

There are no specific checkpoint order that teams must follow. Participants will utilise their own decision making to try and achieve the criteria specified above.

All teams must also adhere to the cut off time (90 min) of their specific wave. Penalties apply for being late.

4) Race Scoring — In order to attain the needed scores, this race will be tracked by means of an electronic timing device that will be placed at each checkpoint location. All participants must punch into the device upon arrival at each site to log their score.

Timeline

	Block	Event	Concurrent Event
8am	20 min	Wave 1 Registration / Group Briefing
820am	20 min	Wave 2 Registration / Group Briefing	Wave 1 Flag off
840am	40 min	Wave 3 to 4 Registration / Group Briefing	Wave 2 to 4Flag off
920am	20 min	Wave 5 Registration / Group Briefing (Adult Pair) (Polytechnic category)   Polytechnic Category (Wave 1) Cut off
940am	20 min	Wave 6 Registration / Group Briefing (PA Grassroots & Families)	Wave 5 Flag off (Adult Pair) (Polytechnic category)
1010am		Wave 6 Flag off (PA Grassroots and Families)
1040am 1110am		Wave 5 Cut off (Adult Pair) Wave 6 Cut off (PA Grassroots)
11am		Preparing of Results / Arrival of GOH
1130am		Prize Presentation by GOH
12pm		Photo Opp	Pax to dismiss after 1230pm

Terms and Conditions:

1. The event is an outdoor foot running race designed for runners. All participants must understand the risks associated with such an event.
2. Participants who agree to the terms and conditions of this event confirm that they understand that the race goes through uneven and sometimes difficult terrain.
3. Participants also accept the risks associated with such an event, including the potential for medical response to an emergency to be delayed or slow due to the terrain.
4. The organization reserves the right to withdraw the privilege of participating in this race from any individual or team found to be lacking in sportsmanship, maturity, or not acting in the spirit of the race.
5. Participants who are not willing to accept these risks are advised not to register for the race.
6. The Organizer may use photos, videos, and other media recordings taken during the race for promotional purposes without obtaining the consent of participants.
7. The participants understand that for safety reasons and primarily for identification by the medical team, participants are prohibited from swapping, selling, or transferring race slots/race entries/race bibs to another person. There is no refund in the event of withdrawals, regardless of any circumstances.
8. The Organizer reserves the right to cancel the event at any time without prior notice to the participants, in which case such cancellation will be informed to the participant before race day. If event must be cancelled due to the occurrence of incidents that are beyond the control of the Organizer and which renders it impossible or unsafe to hold the event including but not limited to force majeure, there shall be no refund of fees paid and the Organizer shall not be liable for any direct or indirect loss or inconvenience caused arising of the cancellation.
9. Whilst every reasonable precaution will be taken by the Organizer to ensure the participants’ safety, participating participants compete at their own risk. The Organizer shall not be held responsible or liable for any injury or death arising from training in preparation for the event and/or participating during the event. Participants are strongly encouraged to go for medical check-up and/or in consultation with their medical practitioner prior to registration and/or at any time from the date of registration till race day to satisfy himself/herself of his/her mental and physical fitness in participating in the event. All participants are required to have adequate personal accident and injury insurance coverage before starting the race.

By registering for the NOR, participants agree to these terms and conditions and confirm that they understand the risks associated with this outdoor foot running race.