Quick Draw Score Brings Urban Orienteering to Keswick Mountain Festival

Developed and delivered within an impressive seven-week timeframe, the event stands as a strong example of effective collaboration and local expertise. Central to its success was the invaluable support of West Cumberland Orienteering Club (WCOC), whose contribution extended from mapping and download provision to comprehensive on-the-night support. Particular recognition goes to Jamie Rennie, whose prior involvement in Quid Games events as a participant helped shape the energy, and format that continue to define the series.

Based around The Pencil Factory, the event benefitted from a vibrant festival setting. Competitors and spectators alike were welcomed into a lively arena featuring a live DJ, a pizza van, and access to adidas TERREX test-and-try kit, enhancing both the competitive and social aspects of the evening. The event opened in memorable fashion, with participants completing a lap through the audience gathered for the Keswick Mountain Festival film evening, which immediately connected the competition with the wider festival environment.

Participants took on a traditional 60-minute score format, as seen in Quid Games events, with the objective of collecting as many points as possible by visiting controls of varying value spread across Keswick. The course design made excellent use of the town’s landmarks, offering a varied and engaging experience. Notable control locations included (inside) Keswick Museum, the historic Moot Hall, and the Kong Adventure Centre, while the physically demanding ‘Suunto Sabotage’ control on Latrigg added a strategic high-risk option worth 50 points. The climb proved a key feature of the evening, with additional incentive provided through a Suunto Race 2 watch awarded to the first male and female competitors to reach the summit control and secure the prize.

The event attracted a broad mix of participants, including those experiencing orienteering for the first time, returning attendees from previous Quid Games events, and established orienteers. This inclusive appeal remains a defining feature of the series, offering both accessibility and competitive challenge within a high-quality event environment.

Delivered with the support of adidas TERREX, Suunto, and YETI, alongside long-standing co-founders and supporters SportsShoes, the event reflects a growing model of partnership-led delivery that continues to expand the reach of the sport. As these events develop, they are also creating valuable opportunities for the wider orienteering community.

Kay Hawke, Partnerships Manager:
“It is incredibly encouraging to see the level of buy-in from local clubs and communities into Quid Games events. There is a clear recognition of the value that bringing new audiences and fresh eyes onto the sport can have, not just in the moment but in terms of longer-term engagement and membership growth. While these formats may not reflect every individual’s preferred style of orienteering, the wider positive impact they generate, through visibility, accessibility and enthusiasm creates benefits across the sport as a whole, regardless of where or how people most enjoy taking part.”

The success of Quick Draw Score at Keswick highlights the continued evolution of innovative, festival-based orienteering formats. By combining competitive challenge with an engaging and sociable atmosphere, the Quid Games series is helping to broaden the sport’s appeal while reinforcing strong links with clubs and communities at a local level.

Further details can be found at:
https://www.sportsshoes.com/advice/trail-hub/trail-runs/sportsshoes-quid-games-quick-draw-score

All image credits - Clorroe Cam / SportsShoes