Trail Orienteering 

Trail Orienteering is an orienteering discipline testing map reading in natural terrain. The discipline has been developed to offer everyone, including people with limited mobility, a chance to participate in a meaningful orienteering competition. Manual or electric wheel chairs, walking sticks, and assistance with movement etc. are permitted as speed of movement is not part of the competition. Trail orienteers must identify on the ground control points shown on the map. As this is done from a distance, both able-bodied and participants with disabilities compete on level terms. Proof of correct identification of the control points does not require any manual dexterity, allowing those with severely restricted movement to compete equally. Most trail orienteering events have classes open for everyone. Athletes who cannot participate on reasonably equal terms in the sport because of a functional disadvantage due to a permanent disability are eligible for the physically challenged class.

Any interested newcomers who have not taken part before can find more information on TrailO on the British Orienteering web site (https://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/site/trailo) which explains the way the competitions work. All events will be suitable for able-bodied and disabled participants including wheelchair users, and the Elite class will have a separate classification for competitors who meet physically challenged criteria. Classes are not split by age, but there will be a separate Junior classification.

The TrailO events will be available on Day 1 only, and will be a PreO in urban terrain. Course length, subject to final checking, will be 1.5km with a timed AZ section for tie break. The start will be adjacent to assembly. An application for the course to be part of the British TrailO League has been made (BriTOL). The course planner is Peter Hornsby and course checker is Iain Phillips (both of LEI).