The Army Inter Unit Orienteering Championships 2026
20 - 21 May 2026
Entries close 18:00 on Tuesday 19th May
A two day team competition taking place on Wednesday 20th May, Spanish Score, and Thursday 21st May, Harris Team, at Chawton Woods.
This is Individual Military Training and is open to all Regular and Reserve Army units and guest civilian teams.
Seniors and Masters teams consist of four runners on the Long courses. The Women's, Short and U25 teams are three runners on the Short courses. Units may enter multiple teams. Coaching for military competitors is available on request (on the entry form). Entry is free to all military units.
Guest civilian teams can enter either four runners on the Long courses or three on the Short. Cost is £16/£12 per guest team per day - payable separately to Allan Farrington.
This entry page is for unit and guest teams only. Entries to line courses will be available separately for each day as per standard MLS events.
Admin Instruction
Day 1 Flyer
Day 2 Flyer
Courses
Long
Entered: 100
Short
Entered: 72
Event Information
The aim of the event is to challenge soldiers' navigation, use of ground and aerobic fitness through orienteering. The Harris event on day two also provides junior leaders the opportunity to test their leadership under the pressures of time and competition.
Orienteering directly supports dismounted close combat skills by developing soldiers` ability to `read` the terrain and navigate their way through it. The Army Inter Unit Championships presents a competitive environment to test these skills under physical duress and to promote a `warrior ethos` and will to win.
The Inter-Unit Orienteering Championships 2026 will be conducted in three phases, the first being optional. Coaching is on offer during the morning of Wednesday 21 May, immediately prior to the championships. This will be aimed at those who require an introduction, or refresher. Attendance will not be limited but units must declare their intent to attend when registering.
The second phase is the Spanish Score on Wednesday 21 May. Team members run individually to visit all controls in the fastest possible time. Controls can be visited in any order and the team's time is the cumulative time of every member.
The final phase is the Harris Team on Thursday 22 May. The Harris format is an event where all team members receive identical maps and run simultaneously. There are two sets of controls: `spine` controls, which must be visited by every team member; and `other` controls, which must be visit by at least one team member. Both sets of controls can be visited in any order, and the team`s time is that of the last member to reach the finish, multiplied by four.
The Inter-Unit Orienteering Championships 2026 will be conducted in three phases, the first being optional. Coaching is on offer during the morning of Wednesday 21 May, immediately prior to the championships. This will be aimed at those who require an introduction, or refresher. Attendance will not be limited but units must declare their intent to attend when registering.
The second phase is the Spanish Score on Wednesday 21 May. Team members run individually to visit all controls in the fastest possible time. Controls can be visited in any order and the team's time is the cumulative time of every member.
The final phase is the Harris Team on Thursday 22 May. The Harris format is an event where all team members receive identical maps and run simultaneously. There are two sets of controls: `spine` controls, which must be visited by every team member; and `other` controls, which must be visit by at least one team member. Both sets of controls can be visited in any order, and the team`s time is that of the last member to reach the finish, multiplied by four.
Travel Directions
Day 1&2:Turn north off the A31 west of Alton at What3words sorters.impulse.paddlers
Parking on hard standing. GU34 5ET
Terrain: Undulating terrain with many tracks, a mix of vegetation and areas of contour detail
Day 1&2:Turn north off the A31 west of Alton at What3words sorters.impulse.paddlers
Parking on hard standing. GU34 5ET
Terrain: Undulating terrain with many tracks, a mix of vegetation and areas of contour detail
Map
Scale 1:10,000 overprinted on waterproof paper
Scale 1:10,000 overprinted on waterproof paper
Timing
Registration: 10.30 - 11.30 hrs.
Everyone MUST go to Registration before starting
Starts: Classes D & E 12.30, Class C 12.40, Class B 12.50 & Class A 13.00
Courses Close: 15.00 hrs.
Registration: 10.30 - 11.30 hrs.
Everyone MUST go to Registration before starting
Starts: Classes D & E 12.30, Class C 12.40, Class B 12.50 & Class A 13.00
Courses Close: 15.00 hrs.
Equipment
Full leg and shoulder cover is mandatory. Team Captains are responsible for ensuring that all team members are dressed correctly. Personnel are to ensure they have Off-Road/Trail running trainers – indoor gym shoes / pumps are not sufficient for the competition area.
All personnel must be in possessions of the following equipment:
a. Water/Fluid (Does not need to be carried during the event)
b. A compass (which they know how to use)
c. A whistle (no whistle, no start)
d. A pen (to mark a waterproof map)
Full leg and shoulder cover is mandatory. Team Captains are responsible for ensuring that all team members are dressed correctly. Personnel are to ensure they have Off-Road/Trail running trainers – indoor gym shoes / pumps are not sufficient for the competition area.
All personnel must be in possessions of the following equipment:
a. Water/Fluid (Does not need to be carried during the event)
b. A compass (which they know how to use)
c. A whistle (no whistle, no start)
d. A pen (to mark a waterproof map)
Officials
Planner: Maj (Retd) Colin Dickson AOA
Controller: Lt Col (Retd) Colin Metcalfe AOA
Organiser: WO1 Mark Robson AOA
Planner: Maj (Retd) Colin Dickson AOA
Controller: Lt Col (Retd) Colin Metcalfe AOA
Organiser: WO1 Mark Robson AOA
Results
Results will not be on display at the event but you can access them online at race-results.info.
Results will not be on display at the event but you can access them online at race-results.info.
Facilities
Tracey's Food Wagon (Naughty but Nice). Limited Toilets.
Tracey's Food Wagon (Naughty but Nice). Limited Toilets.
What to expect, what to do
Please make every reasonable effort to arrive on Day 1 at the event in time for your allocated start window, including allowing time to collect your Team's bag of Ecards from registration. You will retain these Ecards for the two days
Please make every reasonable effort to arrive on Day 1 at the event in time for your allocated start window, including allowing time to collect your Team's bag of Ecards from registration. You will retain these Ecards for the two days
All competitors must ensure they are fully hydrated before starting, there will be limited water at the start/Finish, but none on the course.
Download
From the finish walk back to the EMIT van. Download at the rear of the EMIT van, take your splits print. Retain your ecard so it can be used on Day 2. On Day 2 if you have a hire ecard drop it in the tray under the printer once you have downloaded. Spare back-up cards for Day 2 will be at Registration.
All competitors MUST download at the download station, directly after they finish, even if they retire from the course. Team Captains are responsible for informing race registration that their competitors are all accounted for and downloaded before leaving each day. Failure to do so will result in safety protocols being actioned, wasting time and resources.
From the finish walk back to the EMIT van. Download at the rear of the EMIT van, take your splits print. Retain your ecard so it can be used on Day 2. On Day 2 if you have a hire ecard drop it in the tray under the printer once you have downloaded. Spare back-up cards for Day 2 will be at Registration.
All competitors MUST download at the download station, directly after they finish, even if they retire from the course. Team Captains are responsible for informing race registration that their competitors are all accounted for and downloaded before leaving each day. Failure to do so will result in safety protocols being actioned, wasting time and resources.
Civilian Participation
For civilians participating in Army orienteering, Public Liability Insurance is provided by Towergate; individuals are advised to have their own private accident insurance. This event is conducted iaw British Orienteering Rules 2020 and land booked iaw the AOA DIO Licence and JSP907.
For civilians participating in Army orienteering, Public Liability Insurance is provided by Towergate; individuals are advised to have their own private accident insurance. This event is conducted iaw British Orienteering Rules 2020 and land booked iaw the AOA DIO Licence and JSP907.
Personal Responsibility
Orienteering in the Army is classed as individual military training. Competitors are responsible for their own personal safety and for assessing their own abilities to complete the course.
Orienteering in the Army is classed as individual military training. Competitors are responsible for their own personal safety and for assessing their own abilities to complete the course.
