Race rules and guidelines
Version update 8th March 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
- Tertiary / Colleges (Age >17) – Race solo
- Adult Pair (Age > 18) – Race in pairs
- Families (min. 2 adult + 1 child) – Race in groups of 3-5
- 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 1h30min.
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 1h30min* 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 (PAOC 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, each map will come with a photo hunt activity and the app “Navitabi” to keep track of their positions and arrival to the correct site.
- Photo Hunt – Participants are to complete the photo orienteering at the back of their maps
- Navitabi – Participants are to check in on their app upon arrival at the designated checkpoint on site.