Orienteering is a running sport involving navigation with a map and compass. The traditional form (sometimes referred to as "Foot Orienteering" or "Foot-O") involves cross-country running, though other forms have evolved. The competition is a timed race in which individual participants use a special purpose map and a magnetic compass to navigate through diverse terrain (often wooded) and visit, in sequence, control points that are indicated on the map. The course of control points is kept a secret from competitors before the start, when they are provided with a detailed topographic map on which the course is marked. Competitors start at staggered intervals, are individually timed, and are expected to perform all navigation skills on their own. Standings are determined first by successful completion of the course, then by shortest time on course. Rules and principles of the sport are defined by the International Orienteering Federation.

The English name derives from the Swedish word "orientering". The term was first used to describe the sport in 1918 by Major Ernst Killander, then President of the Stockholm Amateur Athletic Association, in publicity for the first large scale competitive meet held in Sweden.Palmer, Peter (1997). The Complete Orienteering Manual. Wiltshire, England: The Crowood Press Ltd., ISBN Booksoures/1861260954, p. 19.

History

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Early days

Orienteering originated in Scandinavia, as a military exercise, in the late 19th century. The competitive sport form began in Norway where the first competition was sponsored by the Tjalve Sports Club on 31 October 1897 and held near Oslo. The course was quite long by modern standards, at 19.5 km, on which only three controls were placed. Peder Fossum won the event in a time of 1 hour, 47 minutes, and 7 seconds.Palmer, Peter (1997). The Complete Orienteering Manual. Wiltshire, England: The Crowood Press Ltd., ISBN Booksoures/1861260954, p. 18-19. The first large scale orienteering meet was organized in 1918 by Major Ernst Killander of Stockholm, Sweden. Killander was a scout leader who turned to the sport as an opportunity to interest youth in athletics. The first large scale event was organized south of Stockholm and was attended by 220 athletes.Boga, Steven (1997). Orienteering: The Sport of Navigating with Map & Compass. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, USA: Stackpole Books. ISBN Booksources/0811728706. p. 1. Killander continued to develop the rules and principles of the sport, and today is widely regarded throughout Scandinavia as the "Father of Orienteering."

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RT @RoriTravel RT @lefevregalena RT @theflyinghorse1 #Galena this wknd, Tour Historic Homes, Orienteering Festival, walking tours, tastings
VisitGalenaOrg (VisitGalena.org) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:16:07 -0000
RT @RoriTravel RT @lefevregalena RT @theflyinghorse1 #Galena this wknd, Tour Historic Homes, Orienteering Festival, walking tours, tastings
Planned a simple night orienteering course on a contours-mostly map for tonight's run.
okansas (okansas) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:51:15 -0000
Planned a simple night orienteering course on a contours-mostly map for tonight's run.
Finnish O-Federation: Alueellisen valmennuksen tuet 2010 ja AV-ryhmiin haku: Suunnistusliitto on .. http://bit.ly/2IeYWA #orienteering
worldofo_news (worldofo.com - news) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:49:31 -0000
Finnish O-Federation: Alueellisen valmennuksen tuet 2010 ja AV-ryhmiin haku: Suunnistusliitto on .. http://bit.ly/2IeYWA #orienteering
De Laatste Post: Wim Peers over zijn tweede opeenvolgende titel: Eerder kon u hier al lezen hoe h.. http://bit.ly/39TQz3 #orienteering
worldofo_news (worldofo.com - news) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:49:26 -0000
De Laatste Post: Wim Peers over zijn tweede opeenvolgende titel: Eerder kon u hier al lezen hoe h.. http://bit.ly/39TQz3 #orienteering
@c_crowther its a little like orienteering, except without woods, walking boots or arrows.
mattcharlton (Matt Charlton) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:27:58 -0000
@c_crowther its a little like orienteering, except without woods, walking boots or arrows.
@Sizzerode i think ill stick with Orienteering... haha, but if u hav any other sport sggestions id b glad to hear them ; )
anacitab (annie ) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:31:09 -0000
@Sizzerode i think ill stick with Orienteering... haha, but if u hav any other sport sggestions id b glad to hear them ; )

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