The 2018 season was reduced from 12 counting races to 11, following the cancellation of two of the races earlier in the year. The Edinburgh City race was cancelled as a consequence of very icy (and therefore dangerous) conditions in Edinburgh on race day, while the Midland Championships at Belvoir Castle also fell victim to the winter weather, with deep snow preventing the event from taking place.

In the inter-club competition, current leaders are Bristol (BOK), who won the league last year. While in theory, the second placed team, South Yorkshire (SYO) could challenge them, it seems highly unlikely given that the final race weekend is in the South. Chasing third place in the club league are Southdowns (SO), Thames Valley (TVOC), West Cumberland (WCOC) and Deeside (DEE), all of whom are very close on points currently. You'd expect SO and TVOC to both have lots of runners at the Southern Champs weekend, so it'll be a close battle.

The 2019 UKOL season starts not long after the New Year. The first races are in Royal Deeside, Scotland, on the weekend of 23rd and 24th February. Race 1 is the British Night Championships and race 2 a Scottish Orienteering League competition, and both will be on top quality Scottish forest terrain.

The UK Orienteering League features some of the best orienteering competitions around the country. Thanks again to all the clubs and volunteers that host the events and make it possible!"

Useful links:

• UKOL
• Southern Night Champs
• Southern Champs
• British Night Champs 2019