City and country; bush and big end of town. You'd be hard pressed to find two more contrasting locations for World Orienteering Day than rural/suburban Maitland and beneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
An initiative of the International Orienteering Federation, WOD aims to promote our sport worldwide - and actually runs for a full seven days now. This year could see participation on WOD top 500,000 for the first time.
In NSW, the first event on Wednesday was at Islington Park in Maitland just west of Newcastle. Participants had the choice of a free 1km MINI course, or 2km and 3km courses.
Back in the big smoke by Milsons Point station, we doubt WOD has ever had a better location than Bradfield Park for the second Moonlight Madness event for the year.
This replicates the Sydney Summer Series format of a 30-control score course with 45 minutes allowed.
110 participants, including 22 scouts, took in the Sydney Harbour foreshore, Luna Park and other North Sydney landmarks under torchlight. The top photo was taken at 4.30pm as organisers were setting up. WOW!
Course setting thanks to first-timer Fergus Dixon and seamless organisation by Garingal. A great way to cap off a gorgeous May day.
