Park Street Update, January 15 to 21

Entries are now open for the Big Night – the 2025 Park Street Championships!  I hear rumours that some people are already training (gasp).  This year’s Champs will be held on Wednesday 29 January, on the Stirling Hill map, starting from Heatherdale Reserve, Purches Street, Mitcham.  Course planner Ilze Yeates will test your all-around physical and navigational skills.  The map features a good balance of parkland, streets – and some contours.

To enter, simply sign up online here, before the closing date of Sunday January 26.  Because the 2025 Champs are earlier in the season than usual, the required number of events to be eligible has been reduced to 5.  The Champs are open to runners and power walkers from all our Summer Series, and we hope to have a big number of finalists vying for the medals.  The age groupings have been tweaked for this year, so check them out at https://www.vicorienteering.asn.au/parkstreet/champs

We’ve just come off a massive week with some fantastic events.  At Deakin, we used a colour sprint map at large scale, which meant numerous controls were within the campus, including the unforgettable #4, on the roof of the 6 storey car park! Now that was some route choice – accessible by 4 different stairs, a ramp, or even the lift!  Kensington was, as always, a maze of complexity.  Next we had two hilly park maps almost side by side at Loughnan Hill and Yarran Dheran; a double header beach weekend at Point Lonsdale and Capel Sound; and a brand new map at Berwick.  No excuses not to be orienteering!  And there’s more in store:

Coming Up This Week:
Wed 15 January – Blackburn South, starting from Eley Park, Eley Road. Start any time 6.30-7pm
Thu 16 January – Briar Hill, starting from Poulter Reserve, Greensborough. Start any time 6.30-7pm
Sat 18 January – Collendina, starting from Shell Road Reserve, Ocean Grove.  Starts between 3.30 and 4pm; 60 or 90 min Score courses for Runners and Power Walkers
Mon 20 January – Heaney Park, starting from Liberty Avenue Reserve, Rowville.  Start any time 6.30-7pm
Tue 21 January –Laverton, starting from Curlew Community Park, enter from Epsom or Fitzroy Streets.  Start any time 6.30-7pm