44th Katoa Po Night Relay - 9/10 March 2024
Event Info
When - Saturday 9th March 2024
- 4:00pm Campsite opens
- 5:30pm Registration opens
- 6:30pm return Team lists with names in running order
- 7:00pm Briefing for all competitors
- Relay Starts at Dusk
Where - Acacia Bay Road, Rangatira E farm Taupo
Organiser - Taupo Orienteering Club
Planner - Brendan Haigh
Controller - Chris Morris
Registration: - Online entries open in January
Registration: - Online
Entry Deadline - Thursday, 29th February 11:59pm
Individuals enter the event online via entero. The clubs will be sent a list of competitors from which they will
allocate the legs, according to the eligibility criteria below.
Deadline for notification of required 5 person and 7 person teams Sunday, 3rd March 11:59pm
• enquiries to entries@taupoorienteering.nz
Courses - see below.
Entry fees per team
- 7 person team $245
- 5 person team $175
- 5 all juniors team $135 (born 2004 or later)
What - The premier night orienteering competition in New Zealand. This night relay for 5 and 7 person teams runs deep into the night. The relay starts about dusk with a mass start for the white course. It progresses to harder and longer courses. The final two legs are mainly for elite runners.
The Terrain - The event is on the Rangatira E map, and will overlap with the area that was used last year. It has areas of farm with rolling hills and erosion gullies along with pine, eucalypt and manuka forest.
Eligibility -
| Course | Grade restrictions | ONZ Colour Code |
|---|---|---|
| Leg 1 | No M14A-70A, No W16A-65A (All B grades allowed) | White |
| Leg 2 | No M16A-60A, No W18A-55A (All B grades allowed) | Yellow |
| Leg 3 | No M18A-55A, No W20A-35A (All B grades allowed) | Orange |
| Leg 4 | No M20A-45A, No W21E | Orange/Red |
| Leg 5 | No M21E (allowed if last leg of 5 person team) | Red |
| Leg 6 | Open | Red |
| Leg 7 | Open | Red |
• Exemptions to the above rules will be considered on their merits by the controller. The essential essence of the competition is fairness. The controller will use this as the guiding principle for determining if nominally ineligible runners can drop down a leg.
Estimated Winning Times -
- Leg 1 - 15 minutes, median time 25 minutes (white)
- Leg 2 - 22 minutes, median time 35 minutes (yellow)
- Leg 3 - 30 minutes (orange)
- Leg 4 - 40 minutes (orange/red)
- Leg 5 - 50 minutes (red)
- Leg 6 - 50-55 minutes (red)
- Leg 7 - 60-65 minutes (red)
Special Rules -
- Every team finishes, so there are no DSQs.
- A missed punch incurs a time penalty of the slowest time for that leg (of the 5 person or 7 person teams as appropriate) plus 15 minutes.
- DNF's are the slowest time for that leg (when all the other penalties are added in) plus a 15 minute penalty. Placing's are determined solely by time, including penalties.
- Deliberate manipulation of the rules, eg having an overseas W21E running Leg 4, can incur additional penalties at the discretion of the controller.
- Family and composite teams will be allowed but are not eligible for the winner's trophies
SPORTident - To allow for smooth organization and cater for the inevitable last minute
changes all teams will be issued with a set of SI cards allocated to each leg.
It is imperative that these cards are given to the appropriate leg.
Camping Facilities
Access via a farm road that should be suitable for most vehicles in most conditions.
There will be a flattish grassy area for parking/camping, with great views and Portaloos.
Bring your own water (some water will be available for competitor hydration).
No fires or pets allowed.
Event Location
