Come and try Street Orienteering on the Gold Coast using the MapRun App
NightNav GC is a series of street orienteering events on Saturday evenings during October 2024, held in various Gold Coast suburbs. You have 40 minutes to navigate to control points in the suburb, using the free MapRun smartphone app and a paper map.
- Saturday 5th October 5:30pm - Casuarina Drive, Elanora (Eddie Kornhauser Recreation Reserve)
- Saturday 12th October 5:30pm - Binstead Way, Pacific Pines (Binstead Way Fenced Dog Park)
- Saturday 19th October 5:30pm - Parkwood Boulevard, Parkwood (Abbott Park)
- Saturday 26th October 5:30pm - Reserve Road, Upper Coomera (Abraham Park)
- Thursday 31st October 5:30pm - Lind Avenue, Southport (Melrose Park)
These events will be held in anything but dangerous weather.
What do I need to participate?
- Walking / running shoes.
- Your phone needs the latest MapRun app, internet access, and the ability to scan a QR code.
- Entry fee is $7 for members of an orienteering club, $10 for non-members and $14 for a group running together using one phone.
- Preferably pay with a credit card or phone.
- A sense of adventure.
- Head torch for night runners (past 6:30pm)
Who can participate?
All ages and fitness levels are catered for; you can run, walk, or push a stroller.
Compete individually or in a group.
You don't need to be an orienteering club member.
You don't need to know anything about orienteering or navigation, this is your opportunity to learn. Newcomers welcome.
What does a scored NightNav event look like?
It's a race, but feel free to go at your own leisurely pace within the timeframe. Everyone starts at different times and chooses their own route to take between control points. We give you a map showing all controls and you work out your own course; maybe you think you can get them all, maybe a little less ambitious. The fastest runner doesn't always win; route choice and navigation skills are all-important.
There are 20-25 control points shown on your map and labelled with numbers which tell you how much the control is worth. Controls 20-29 are worth 20 points and controls 80-89 are worth 80 points, etc. Take as long as you like planning your route, then you have 40 minutes to gain as many points as you can. If you are back late the penalties are steep - you lose 30 points per minute or part thereof.
Turn up from 5:30pm, pay for a map and load the course onto your phone; start your run when you are ready; finish by 7:30pm at the latest.
Note: 5:30pm-6:30pm will be a twilight run and 6:30pm to 7:30pm will be a night run. Twilight runs are more suitable for families. Night runs require a head torch or similar and all participants under 14 years must be supervised by a responsible adult.
How does NightNav work?
- Install the MapRun app - it has to be the latest version, currently version 7.
- Tap on User Profile and enter your name and contact details.
- Scan the QR code on your map to load the course and map into the app.
- You will also need to enter the 4-digit PIN code shown on your map.
- When you are ready to Start, tap on Go to Start.
- Approach the Start banner, your phone will beep and you are away.
- At each control point your phone will beep; if it doesn't and you are sure you are in right place, press on and we can sort it out later.
- Finish by approaching the Finish banner.
- Your result will now upload to the MapRun server.
- You can see your result and route and compare with others.
- You will receive an email with results after the event.
- After the event we will upload results to the OQ website
Sign up for emails from Paradise Lost Orienteers
Useful links
Contact NightNav GC: maprunparksgc@oq.asn.au
Install MapRun: https://maprunners.weebly.com/
Orienteering Queensland Event Calendar: https://oq.orienteering.asn.au/event-calendar
Paradise Lost Orienteers: https://oq.orienteering.asn.au/clubs/paradise-lost-orienteers
Paradise Lost Orienteers on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParadiseLostOrienteers
Join Orienteering Queensland and save on fees: https://oq.orienteering.asn.au/membership
Subscribe to the Paradise Lost Orienteers email list to receive information about upcoming events
Subscribe to the Orienteering Queensland email bulletin
Paradise Lost Orienteers and Orienteering Queensland gratefully acknowledge the support of the Queensland Government's Active Industry Project fund in making this series possible.
