August 14, 2012
Orienteers who attended the recent Queensland Orienteering Championships at Blackbutt found the terrain both challenging and rewarding.
The first day’s competition was held on Taromeo Station where navigational challenges were provided by the detailed boulder terrain along with the temptation to run fast in the grazed paddocks.
On the second day, the Teelah property offered a more physical challenge with steeper hills making it more difficult for runners to concentrate on finding those elusive control markers.
“We definitely tested the athletes and the winners came from athletes with all-round navigating and running abilities,” event organiser Rob Rapkins said.
“Terrain in the Blackbutt area has a lot to offer family groups as well as elite orienteers and there is the potential for more orienteering maps as far out as Yarraman. We hope to come back next year.”
The 150 competitors filled up most of the available accommodation in the immediate Blackbutt area and a tent city appeared overnight at the showgrounds.
A dinner at the Blackbutt Golf Club for more than 100 people was catered for by the Golf Club’s women members
Orienteers were well fed on the competition properties by a canteen run by the Blackbutt School and Kindy while a coffee van from Nanango provided that extra get up and go.
A few locals and some school children from Linville and Harlin took up the challenge to come and try the sport.
For more information about Orienteering, visit the Orienteering Queensland website
- Related article: Orienteers Map Their Way To Blackbutt
