MapRun Parks Orienteering
Saturday 22 February 2025 | 04:30 PM
If you're new to orienteering, looking for a fun day out or show off your navigation skill, these events are a great way to get active and explore against friendly competition.
MapRun Parks GC is a 10 event series of orienteering events on Saturday afternoons, held in a variety of local Gold Coast park, streets and school locations. You have 40 minutes to navigate to control points in parkland and nearby streets, using the free MapRun smartphone app and a paper map.
What do I need to participate?
- A sense of adventure.
- Walking / running shoes.
- Your phone needs the latest MapRun app, internet access, and the ability to scan a QR code.
- Entry fee is $7 for members of an orienteering club, $10 for non-members. $15 per group that carries only one phone and records only one result. Preferably pay with credit card or phone.
Who can participate?
- All ages and fitness levels are catered for; you can run, walk or push a stroller.
- Compete individually or in a group.
- You don't need to be an orienteering club member.
- You don't need to know anything about orienteering or navigation.
What does a MapRun event look like?
It's a race, but feel free to go at your own leisurely pace within the timeframe. Everyone starts at different times and chooses their own route to take between control points. We give you a map showing all controls and you work out your own course; maybe you think you can get them all, maybe a little less ambitious. The fastest runner doesn't always win; route choice and navigation skills are all-important.
There are 20–25 control points shown on your map and labelled with numbers which tell you how much the control is worth. Controls 20–29 are worth 20 points and controls 80–89 are worth 80 points, etc. Take as long as you like planning your route, then you have 40 minutes to gain as many points as you can. If you are back late the penalties are steep – you lose 30 points per minute or part thereof.
Turn up between 4:30pm and 5:45pm, pay for a map and load the course onto your phone; start your run when you are ready; finish by 6:30pm at the latest. Note: Winter times vary by 1 hour earlier, see specific events for times.
These events will be held in anything but dangerous weather. Please note that all private venues are subject to potential location changes if the necessary approvals and permissions are not granted. We will keep you informed if any changes occur.
For more information on how MapRun works, visit our website.
Getting there
Consider using public transport or active travel. Plan your trip with Translink's journey planner.
Parking may be limited. For metered parking, use the EasyPark app to start, end, and extend your parking direct from your phone to avoid fines. For more information visit City of Gold Coast's Parking page.
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