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200 people set to enjoy the Northern Ireland Classic/Long Distance Championship this Saturday

This Saturday, just under 200 people will enjoy the navigational challenge of the NI Classic/Long Distance Championship.

This fixture was one of the casualties last year, so the host club, Fermo, are excited to welcome the participants who have been waiting excitedly.

The Cavan Burren is a technical area over varied terrain.  Dipping in and out of open upland and forest will provide all 12 courses with a high level of challenge.

Raymond Finlay Organiser of the NI Orienteering Championships and member of Fermanagh Orienteers, says:   
"Fermanagh Orienteers are looking forward to welcoming competitors to the NI Orienteering Championships which are in fact being held just across the border in Co. Cavan in the Republic of Ireland!  By UK standards this is a small event but FermO is a very small club so it is stretching our resources to the limit; thankfully we have good support from the other two clubs in NI.  We have a few intrepid competitors crossing the Irish Sea and a large number from all over the Republic of Ireland.  They will be coming to a very good area that was used in 2019 for the Irish Championships.  It is a very mixed and complex terrain.  The underlying geology is limestone which typically produces interesting contour detail, depression features, crags, pits/caves, and in places bare rock limestone pavement.  On top of this, the ice age left innumerable sandstone boulders.  The open area is typical farm upland with areas of fast close-cropped grassland and rough moorland.  There are many fences and ruined walls most of which are in poor condition.  The Forest is a remarkable place with very many archaeological sites of great antiquity.  The many ruined walls and numerous boulders make for confusing orienteering on stony terrain with difficult underfoot conditions.  Competitors will get their money's worth!"

Ancient tomb

Above photos:  

(left): Teresa Finlay (FERMO) has done an enormous amount of detailed organisation and preparation.

(middle): Typical forest terrain.

(right):  Raymond Finlay beside one of the larger boulders - locally called "Finn's Fist".

Ric Gamble Chair of neighbouring club Lagan Valley Orienteers, says:  "Although the event is the Northern Ireland Champs, the competition area is actually entirely in Southern Ireland.  Fermo is made up of members from both sides of the border and they have good links with the IOA.  This together with its reputation of organising and planning excellent courses and events has attracted great interest from our orienteering friends in clubs from all over the South as well as a few others traveling from other parts of the British Isles."

Lastly, Ric added:  "Within Fermo’s information they include, “Local archaeologists have, over the last 20 years, pieced together evidence of human habitation for at least 5 millennia.” I hope if I get lost in that forest it won’t take me so long to be found!"

British Orienteering would like to thank Raymond and Teresa Finlay and all members from Fermanagh Orienteers and neighbouring clubs for the time they have given to organise this event.  Fingers crossed for good weather.  

Wishing all orienteers attending this event and other events across the UK a great weekend of orienteering. 

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