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BBC TV to broadcast live orienteering from JOK Chasing Sprint 2019

Orienteering will enjoy live television coverage this summer as the JOK Chasing Sprint – which takes place at Callendar House, Falkirk, on Friday 28 June - will be shown on TV and online, via the new BBC Scotland TV channel.

Available to TV viewers across Scotland and online via BBC iPlayer across the UK, BBC Scotland was launched in Spring and has been showcasing Scottish sport to new audiences. The JOK Chasing Sprint is set to appear as part of “The Adventure Show”, a programme which has promoted outdoor activity in Scotland for many years.

Competitors from across the UK and further afield are being encouraged to sign up for this year’s edition of the race.  The JOK Chasing Sprint was first staged in 1995 and it's Flying Pig’ trophies show an illustrious list of previous winners including several former World Champions.  The format has every competitor run two short races - a Prologue and the Chase - with the overall results in each category decided by the head-to-head racing in the various Chase races.

Pictured above: 2014 Chasing Sprint at Birsemore on Royal Deeside in Scotland, with elite winners Daniel Hubmann of Switzerland and Hollie Orr of Scotland/GBR.

Event Organiser Jon Cross of JOK said:

“The creation of the new BBC Scotland TV channel – and its appetite for live sport - has generated a great opportunity for Scottish sport and we’re really excited orienteering is a part of this. Live television will be a first for the JOK Chasing Sprint, and the event setting within Callendar Park should look beautiful on a Scottish summer evening.

“With the Adventure Show being broadcast live on BBC Scotland on Friday evenings, the head-to-head format of this event makes it an ideal choice for their coverage.  It’s great that the sport and its competitors will be getting this exposure.  We hope to deliver some close and exciting races – so we hope as many orienteers as possible will take their chance to come along and be part of it!”

The famous flying pig trophies awaiting presentation at last year's chasing sprint

There are a number of different age categories and courses, and start times for the Prologue round are likely to be from 3.30pm-5.15pm.  Start times for the various different Chase finals will be determined by the Prologue results, and all will be between 7pm-9pm during the live broadcast.

The Adventure Show coverage will be a two-hour live show on BBC Scotland, from 7pm-9pm.  It will feature highlights from the Prologue, with the main focus being the live coverage of the different Chase races taking place during the programme.   The live coverage of the Chase will benefit from GPS tracking of the leading runners from the Prologue, and from live footage via a number of cameras on the courses, allowing viewers to follow the races closely as they unfold. 

Further race information including details of how to enter is available now at https://www.jok.org.uk/chasing_sprint/2019

Deadline for entries is Thursday 13 June, though may close sooner dependent on demand.

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