Report from Karen Parker The annual Coast and Islands orienteering week for 2026 has just finished. I’m writing this sitting in our campervan in the rain being buffeted by wind gusts, on a campsite where the water system has failed. That might sound a bit miserable, but in fact it’s been a great week. WeContinue reading “Coast and Islands 2026 on Coll”
Author Archives: bldanandkaren
Late Summer Summary
As the hot, dry summer draws to a cooler, more unsettled end a number of weekend events have drawn BL members east, north and south. The annual White Rose event was held over the bank holiday weekend (28th to 31st August) in Scarborough. It started with a mass start night event (which none of theContinue reading “Late Summer Summary”
BL Long-O (and not so Long-O)
Report from Dan and Karen Parker, Planners and Organisers The 6th annual BL Long-O (and not so Long-O) took place last Sunday (16th August). There was a record turnout of 130 competitors which surprised us as we’d thought that a lot of people would be away on holiday. As usual there were 5 courses fromContinue reading “BL Long-O (and not so Long-O)”
Lakes 5 Day 2026
Last week (2nd to 7th August) saw the return of the quadrennial Lakes 5 Day event organised by NWOA. As usual, Border Liners were responsible for the Day 1 event, held this year at Askham Common. It was a great start to the week with warm sunny weather, excellent courses and slick organisation. Paul, theContinue reading “Lakes 5 Day 2026”
O-Ringen 2026: Gothenburg, Sweden
Thanks to Isabel for this report For a long time, Jeff and I have been talking about making what feels like every orienteer’s life pilgrimage… a trip to Sweden’s annual O-Ringen orienteering competition. This year, we finally did it and what an incredible experience it was! O-Ringen is the world’s largest orienteering event – I’dContinue reading “O-Ringen 2026: Gothenburg, Sweden”
Outdoor Sanity?
Question: What started in southeast Europe nearly 25 years ago and has now spread north and west reaching Ireland for the first time this year?No, not some nasty tick-borne disease, but instead a very nice orienteering event, the OO Cup. It’s a 5 day event held annually. Until 2015 it was always held in SloveniaContinue reading “Outdoor Sanity?”
BL Long-O (and not so Long-O) – a Preview
From organisers and planners Dan and Karen After the cancellation of last two Border Liners events (blame curlews and roadworks) there is more reason than ever to come to the annual Long-O on Sunday 16th August. The first thing to say is don’t be put off by the name “Long-O”. Yes, there are very longContinue reading “BL Long-O (and not so Long-O) – a Preview”
Saunders Mountain Marathon
The Saunders Mountain Marathon (SLMM) took place on 4th/5th July based in St John’s in the Vale, with courses covering the fells around Helvellyn and The Dodds. Despite heatwaves the week before and after, the weekend itself was cool and drizzly with the tops clag-covered most of the time. The event is always popular withContinue reading “Saunders Mountain Marathon”
Ride to the Sun
by Paul Watson This informal annual cycle ride starting at Bitts Park and arriving at Cramond Beach, Edinburgh, in time to view the sunrise takes place every year on the closest Saturday / Sunday to the longest day. With a couple of tweaks to the direct route it’s 100 miles exactly on mainly quiet bikeContinue reading “Ride to the Sun “
British Sprint Champs – 27th/28th June
The British Sprint Champs took place last weekend in Bristol. The relay was held on Saturday, followed by the Individual Races on Sunday. Both were at university campuses Three BL members attended, just the right number for a relay team. With Christine on first leg, Jane on second and Keith on third, the team finishedContinue reading “British Sprint Champs – 27th/28th June”