Formats

SDO offers many different event formats, depending on the terrain, organizers, and competitor feedback:

Traditional: A point-to-point competition in which the competitors run independently, competing for the best overall time. Following the Start, all controls must be visited in order, before proceeding to the Finish. These can be offered in "Classic" (80 minute winning time), "Middle" (40 minute) or even "Long" (100-120 minute).

Sprint: A traditional course held on a special map, often urban, that utilizes special symbols standards. Winning time is usually less than 20 minutes.

Score: Competitors attempt to gather as many points as possible by visiting controls in any order they desire within an allotted time. Usually a mass start. Often referred to as a "rogaine" or "adventure trek. There are steep penalties for returning the start after the time limit.

Motala: A unique and fun format used frequently at SDO to maximize the utility of our limited high-quality terrain. It consists of multiple small loops, all beginning and ending at the same point. Theoretically, it makes use of the same terrain for each loop, but we often branch out a bit differently on our loops. Will usually include shorter options with fewer loops for beginners.

Adventure Race: A challenging course, often utilizing steeper or more thickly vegetated terrain, where technical orienteering courses would be difficult. Usually focused on route choice, as opposed to detailed navigation. Usually more physically demanding. Scoring can be based on point-to-point or score style formats (see above). Allows competitors to use bikes when possible. Can use maps with less detail and accuracy.

In the US, orienteering usually uses a standard system of color-coded courses as follows:

White - suitable for absolute beginners. Course is on trails and/or fields and is typically 2-3km long.
Yellow - for slightly more advanced beginners. Course is mostly on trails and fields with control points a short distance into the woods. There may be opportunities for those who feel able to take shortcuts through the woods. Length is typically 2-3.5km.
Orange - intermediate difficulty. Mix of on-trail and off-trail, generally relying on the more obvious mapped features. Length typically 3.5 - 4.5km.
Brown - short advanced course. Off-trail and reliant on the subtler features of the terrain. Length typically 3.5-4.5km with large/steep climbs deemphasized if the terrain allows.
Green - an advanced course a bit longer than brown. Length typically 4.5-5.5km.
Red - a longer advanced course. Length typically 6-8km.
Blue - the longest advanced course, not always offered in smaller parks. Length typically 8-10km.

Distances are as the crow would fly between control points. The distance you travel may be much greater depending on topography and route choice.

For some of our events, SDO will combine and simplify these courses into four options:

Beginner - A mix of White and Yellow (see above) suitable for beginners. All off-trail sections will use clear linear features, be marked with flagging, or take advantage of our desert terrain so you can see the next trail at all times.
Intermediate - A traditional Orange course (see above).
Advanced - Advanced control placement, but with a distance around 4km. Somewhere between Brown and Green.
Expert - Advanced control placement, but with a distance around 8km. Somewhere between Red and Blue.

These distance estimates are for off-trail forest orienteering. Events with lots of trails may have longer distances to reflect the relative ease of travel and navigation.