Action begins at Sprint World Orienteering Championships in Edinburgh 

YESTERDAY saw the start of the Sprint World Orienteering Championships in Edinburgh. Under blue skies the GB team took on the individual sprint in a race involving over 45 competitors and finishing in Princes St Gardens

Linlithgow’s Grace Molloy competed in the women’s race – results here.

Often thought of as a countryside sport, the Sprint World Orienteering Championships (www.woc2024.org), is being staged in the intricate urban terrain Edinburgh has to offer, with the capital’s iconic landmarks providing the perfect backdrop for the elite courses.

They run from 12^th to 16^th July 2024. 

The event is yet another opportunity for the public to watch elite sport in the capital – but this time for free.

Fans will be able to watch the world’s best orienteering athletes tackle challenging routes which weave through the city’s historical and cultural attractions while enjoying a fun day out with the family.

There are free family activities are on offer throughout the week, including orienteering mazes, fun races and all the action on live screens.

The orienteering maze and big screen featured in Princes Street Gardens yesterday (Friday 12 July), followed by fun races for kids and adults alike at The Meadows, as well as another orienteering maze, from today (Saturday 13 July) until Monday 15 July.

The five-day orienteering festival also features amateur races for all ages and levels, with competitors as young as 10 and some in their 80s. The ‘WOC Tour’ will allow competitors, from those relatively new to the sport up to experienced recreational athletes, to experience the best of urban orienteering.

The first elite races were the Individual Sprint taking place in Leith on the morning of Friday 12th July, with finals in the afternoon finishing in Princes Street Gardens.

The action continues on Sunday 14th July at Heriot Watt University with the Team Sprint Relay. On Tuesday 16th July the Knockout Sprint qualifications take place at Wester Hailes with the finals finishing on St John Street in Central Edinburgh.

Find out more about WOC 2024 and the WOC Tour.

WOC 2024 will be broadcast on Eurovision Sport (www.eurovisionsport.com), the European Broadcasting Union (IBU)’s new free streaming platform and on the IOF YouTube channel.