Category: Great Races

O-Ringen is an iconic, 5-stage Swedish orienteering competition, held over a week every year in different regions of Sweden since 1965.

It usually attracts 15-20,000 competitors from around the world, from beginner to elite, toddlers to senior citizens.

It is a vastly well-organised event, but the O-Ringen organisers (like most every other orienteering organiser!) also incorporate a real sustainable ethos and policies in order to minimise the impact of the event.

It has a lovely, family-oriented, community-based vibe, with a full program of activities around the actual races.

In addition to the races and cultural events, there is also the O-Ringen Academy, where orienteers from around the world, local club leaders and everyday enthusiasts can all learn skills for furthering their own orienteering or their country’s orienteering programs.

Swiss O-Week is held every second year in a different part of Switzerland.

It is similar to O-Ringen, attracting competitors from all over the world, from beginners through to Elites and Masters. Like O-Ringen it is beautifully organised and run, but on a smaller scale, with about 4,000 runners competing over the week.

The 10 Mila relay is an orienteering relay which has been held in Sweden each year from 1945.

The men’s race is a 10-leg race, held at night, while the women’s and youth versions are held during the day and consist of 5 legs.

The 10 or tio mila name means 10 Swedish miles, each mile approximating 10 metric kilometres. Unlike Jukola, 10 Mila is held in the northern spring so the night legs must be truly dark in the forest!

The hallowed Finnish Jukola Relay is the biggest orienteering relay race in the world. The name Jukola is a family name taken from the Finnish novel, Seven Brothers.

Held annually since 1949, it is held at sunset sometime between the 13th and 19th of June, with competitors racing through the night, using powerful head torches for the first 3 to 4 legs.

Seven runners run legs of between 7 and 15km, with the winning team finishing usually at around 6 or 7am. The race is contested by upwards of 1500 runners each year, from an international array of teams.

The Scottish Six Days orienteering race is a biennial event held since 1977 and is the biggest event of its kind held in the United Kingdom.

It attracts approximately 3000 competitors and is held in different locations across Scotland.

The Venla Relay is the relay race held for women which precedes Jukola, and is held during the Saturday afternoon prior to the men’s race.

Like Jukola, the name Venla is taken from the Finnish novel, Seven Brothers, and was the name of the main female character in that Finnish classic.

The race has 4 legs and is usually contested by well over 1000 runners from all over the world.

Oceania Championships are held every year and include competitors from Australia and New Zealand.

The locations themselves are major highlights, mixing great running over our unique terrain with areas of cultural and often gastronomic significance! The Oceania Championships mean regional travel at its best for us locals.

Oceania 2019 was held in Beechworth, Victoria, a location full of history from the Goldrush era, great restaurants and cafes, and beautiful running through the Victorian High Country.