For details of upcoming events see the events list.

For reports and results of recent events see results.

For earlier events see archive events.

Descriptions of some events

Icenian

The Icenian is CUOC's annual public event. It is held in various parts of Thetford Forest at the end of January every second year, and in the gaps it becomes the Cambridge City Race, a challenging urban race around the streets and colleges of Cambridge.

Historically, the first Icenian Badge event was held on 16th November 1975, and the title has been given to CUOC's annual main open event ever since. The event was moved to its current location at the end of January in 1991. More recently (in 1999 for the first time), CUOC started co-organising a biannual Thetford Thrash weekend of two badge events with the local open club, WAOC.

The Icenian Trophy itself is a team competition, which has been won by a large number of local and not-so-local clubs over the last 30 years. (Credit for compiling the list goes to Mark Collis).

Sprint-O

The Sprint-O is an extremely competitive event which CUOC organises every November. Students from universities all over Britain descend on Cambridge (or rather an orienteering area somewhere not too far from Cambridge) on a November Saturday and compete fiercely in both the running and the drinking (some taking the latter more seriously!). This is all followed by a meal and a party back in Cambridge.

Varsity

The Varsity Match is the annual event where CUOC take on their Oxford rivals, OUOC, in an orienteering equivalent of the boat race if you like! Every three years it is held abroad - 2008 was Sweden and 2011 was Czech Republic. The VM is one of the highlights of the club calendar and all results from years dating back to 1972 are available.

The Varsity match also has offical rules.

BUCS

BUCS is the annual inter-university competition. It is usually held in spring and consists of an individual day and a relay day. CUOC were 3rd in 2007 and 4th in 2008-2011.

Cuppers

Cuppers is the intercollegiate competition organised by CUOC for members of Cambridge University, in the same way as Cuppers competitions for other University sports. To have a competitive team, you will need to find three willing runners from your college (which will include at least one man and at least one woman/veteran). However, you will also be eligible for the individual trophies, so definitely worth coming along! Usually Cuppers is held in an area very close to Cambridge to encourage as many competitors as possible!

Days Out

As a club, we often attend events run by local orienteering clubs in the vicinity of Cambridge. We venture out in the morning by minibus or car to these areas and the trip normally returns early afternoon after soe good runs in the forest. If you are worried by the cost, don't be; it only costs about £3 for transport, or often free if we are offered lifts! Come on - try a great half-day out in the forest!

JK

The JK is Britain´s biggest orienteering event attracting up to 4000 competitors each year over the Easter weekend. In 2011, the event was in Northern Ireland.

On the Friday there is a Sprint race: a relatively new discipline which aims to make the sport more exciting and spectator friendly. This is followed by two forest races over the weekend, with a relay to finish off on Easter Monday.

The event is open to all, with separate courses for Men, Women and Juniors and a string course for the very young (they literally follow the string round but still get a map!).

The Original Mountain Marathon

The Original Mountain Marathon is an annual test of navigation skills and fitness. Each October over 3,000 entrants compete in the greatest outdoor challenge in the UK.

The formula remains a challenging 2-day Mountain event (the Elite course being 2 sequential marathon lengths) where a team of two navigate their way around a 2-day course, in mountainous terrain, in a new location each year, carrying all food stove tent and equipment for an overnight camp.

The Lowe Alpine Marathon

The LAMM has taken place at Arrochar 1994, Isle of Mull 1995, Lochaber 1996, Isle of Jura 1997, Ardgour 1998, Black Mount 1999, Glen Shiel 2000, Loch Laggan 2001, Braes of Balqu hidder 2002, Spittal O´ Glenshee 2003, Glencarron 2004 and in 2005 on the Isle of Mull. For all of us these events have provided unique challenges and unforgettable experiences. It is a two-day mountain orienteering competition with an overnight camp at a remote location. Teams run in pairs and carry lightweight camping equipment, clothes and food to susta in themselves for 36 hours. You can choose from six courses ranging from Elite to Novice depending on your ability and fitness. The aim is to visit each of the checkpoints on your course and the times for both days are aggregated to find a winner.