World of O News
What was the best orienteering course of 2025? The middle distance race in Maximus O Meeting won in 2024, the World Champs middle distance in Switzerland won in 2023, the Pomeranian Sprint Cup won in 2022 and the WOC Long distance won in 2021.
In the years before, we had a long distance race in Norway, the World Cup Final Middle in the Czech Republic and the World Champs middle distance in Estonia on top. Always a combination of great courses and great terrain, and often also spectacular surroundings.
The search for the orienteering course of the year is always fun and interesting – with many nice courses and maps surfacing! The rules are simple: Suggest a course from a competition or training in 2025, and state the reason why you think this course deserves to be “The Course of the Year 2025″. The best among all the suggestions will be chosen – and there will be a voting process among the readers of “World of O” in order to name “The Course of the Year 2025″. We will also identify the best course in each category: Sprint, Middle and Long.
And please state the reason for your suggestion – that’s where the fun & the passion for orienteering comes in! YOU are the one to decide who takes the prestigious top spot this year- first by submitting suggestions – and then by voting.
Suggestions are submitted as a comment to this post – including a link to the map (this is important – I am doubly happy if the link goes to omaps.worldofo.com) with the course in a quality that is good enough for the readers to understand the course and the challenges involved.
Please add information about the location/date if that is not clear from the link provided. Also include which sponsor prize you are interested in (check them out!) if you win – please do check out the sponsor prizes and choose one, it is much nicer to win something you really want!
PS! Suggestions for Route to Christmas are also welcome; a combined suggestion doubly so!
More than 7000 Euro worth of prizes for YOU
Prizes from sponsors make it more fun to be in on the suggestions and voting. This year we again have some great sponsors and prizes – with a total value of more than 7000 Euro! We hope this means many good suggestions & a lot of interactivity from YOU! See all details about the sponsors & prizes below! Use the comments below, and submit either
- The course which in your opinion is the best course you ran in 2025 yourself!
- The best course you set this year as a course-setter.
- The overall best course you have seen or heard about in 2025
Most course-setters surely have to make some compromises, so finding the perfect one is probably not possible. Still, it is interesting to see which is the best course you ran or set in 2025!
Our sponsors have contributed a fantastic selection of prizes. These include entry packages for the JK International Festival of Orienteering in Scotland, Swiss O-Week in Switzerland, Fjord-O in Norway, and the 58th Kainuu Orienteering Week in Finland. From Spain, we have the Maximus O Meeting prize package, while Portugal offers entries for Portugal O-meeting and the 27th Grand Prix of the 4th Artillery Regiment. Slovenia provides packages for the Lipica Open, and there are also entries for the OOCup in Ireland, the Sudety Cup in Poland, and two packages from Italy – the 3TRE Orienteering + 5 Days Italy and the 5+5 Days Sardinia. Finally, we have two family entry packages from the Kapa 3-Days event in Latvia and a 3-year license for OCAD Orienteering Software.
Rules
The following rules are given for “The Course of the Year 2025″.
- The course must have been run in competition or training in 2025
- Suggestions are submitted as a comment to this post – including link to the map (this is important!) with course in a quality which is good enough for the readers to understand the course and the challenges involved. Please add information about location/date if that is not clear from the link provided. Also include which sponsor prize you are interested in if you win (please do check out the sponsor prizes and choose one, it is much nicer to win something you really want!).
- You must give a reason for why you think this course deserves to be named “The Course of the Year 2025″ (or why it is the best course you run/set this year). All reasons are valid. Examples can for example be “varied orienteering challenges”, “extremely technical orienteering”, “high fun-factor”, “fantastic map”, “spectacular orienteering”, “fantastic nature” – a combination of these – or a totally different reason. To get all the way to the top you should probably have a combination of reasons…
- The course may be any foot-orienteering discipline – e.g. a long distance, a middle distance, a sprint distance. It may also be a technical training course – like e.g. a corridor orienteering exercise.
- There will be a voting process among the readers of “World of O” in order to name “The Course of the year 2025″. This is your second chance to win sponsor prizes!
Prizes from our Sponsors
Prizes from our Sponsors always makes it more fun! There will be a prize for the first one suggesting the course which ends up becoming “The Course of the Year 2025″, and prizes drawn among the ones suggesting and voting. All prizes are transferable to other persons (you don’t have to travel yourself).
Event sponsor: Maximus O Meeting, February 20th – 24th 2026 (Spain)
- Prize offered: Package for two people including entries to Maximus O Meeting 2026, full-board accommodation for 4 nights at Hotel Maximus in Las Navas del Marqués, and Maximus promotional gifts. Valued at 1,000 EUR. Transferable to another person.
- More information: The 7th edition of Maximus O Meeting is ready to deliver another unforgettable orienteering experience in the heart of Spain. From February 20 to 24, 2026, participants will enjoy four high-quality races, each mapped specifically for the event, combining technical navigation, physical challenge, and stunning landscapes. Maximus O Meeting is more than just a competition — it is the February gathering for orienteers to test their form, enjoy premium terrain, and immerse themselves in the unique atmosphere of Spanish winter training. After being awarded “Course of the Year 2024,” the team is committed to maintaining the highest standards and continuing to create world-class courses in the years to come. Website: www.maximusorientacion.com/mom
Event sponsor: 58th Kainuu Orienteering Week (KOW), June 28th – July 3rd (Finland)
- Prize offered: 4 packages, each consisting of 2 free participations for the whole week in any class (competition classes or open courses) at Kainuu Orienteering Week 2026. Total value up to 920 EUR. Transferable to other persons.
- More information: Open and International Orienteering Week in Säynäjä, Suomussalmi, Finland. Welcome to the beautiful pine forest terrain of Säynäjä, Suomussalmi – the perfect place to enjoy both orienteering and a summer holiday. The competition area is located about 15 km southeast of Suomussalmi, right next to the Säynäjäsuo Mire Conservation Area. The terrain represents the characteristic Kainuu landscape: long ridges, steep sandy slopes, and open mires alternating with areas of gently rolling forested hills. High-quality maps and expertly designed courses offer suitable orienteering challenges for everyone – from beginners to elite athletes. World-class event organization and the diverse outdoor opportunities of Suomussalmi promise an unforgettable orienteering and holiday week in the wild heart of Northern Kainuu. Come and experience the most memorable week of summer 2026 in Kainuu’s ruggedly beautiful wilderness – where the forest challenges you and the scenery rewards you.Kainuu Orienteering Week is the biggest Finnish orienteering week, and it has been held annually since 1966 in Kainuu Region, Finland. Competition categories are H/D8-95. In open courses KOW offers 10 different skill and distance levels in total. See more: rastiviikko.fi (#kainuuoweek|#kainuuorienteeringweek|#KOW) Experience a memorable orienteering week in Suomussalmi! Note also the 6th official Kainuu MTBO Week 28 June – 3 July in Suomussalmi – come and enjoy the best MTBO terrains and great landscapes of Kainuu! The following entry steps are: 28th Feb 2026 / 31st May 2026 / 7th June 2026. For more information see www.rastiviikko.fi.
Event sponsor: 5+5 Days Sardinia, week 40-41 2026 (Italy)
- Prize offered: 2 packages, each for 2 entries for 5+5 Days Sardinia 2026 (either for week 40 or week 41, as you prefer). Value 800 EUR. Transferable to other persons.
- More information: Sardinia Orienteering: Adventure Awaits Between Sky and Sea! Are you ready to combine your passion for orienteering with the wonder of a unique land? Join us in Sardinia, where the map is your key to discovering breathtaking landscapes. You will run through: Ancient woods and untouched mountains, challenging yourself on terrains that tell a thousand-year-old history. White beaches and a crystal-clear sea that will give you a dream view at the start and finish of every stage. More than a race, an active holiday! Enjoy our generous climate and the Sardinian sun that makes every moment special. And after the sporting challenge, the prize is the celebrated Sardinian hospitality: Genuine and flavourful food. Unmissable tastings of fine local wines and the excellent extra virgin olive oil. Map, compass, and good taste: the perfect orienteering is in Sardinia! Website: https://www.orienteering.it/events/
Event sponsor: 3TRE Orienteering + 5 Days Italy 2026, June 26th – July 4th (Italy)
- Prize offered: 2 packages, each of 2 entries for a combined package for 3TRE Orienteering + 5 Days Italy 2026 (both events together for each person). Value around 800 EUR. Transferable to other persons.
- More information: Eight days of Italian alpine orienteering combining 3Tre Orienteering in Madonna di Campiglio (June 26–28) and 5 Days Italy 2026 in Val di Sole (June 29–July 4). 3Tre offers a night sprint in the village centre beside the famous 3Tre ski slope and two forest races in the Brenta Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site. 5 Days Italy then moves to new maps in Val di Sole and Val di Pejo, with varied stages around Passo Tonale and Lago dei Caprioli, and a final sprint in the historic village of Ossana. Together they create a compact O-holiday with strong international fields, high-quality maps and plenty of chances to enjoy the Trentino mountains before and after the races. Websites: www.3treorienteering.it and www.5daysitaly.com
Event sponsor: Sudety Cup 2026, July 30th – August 2nd 2026 (Poland)
- Prize offered: 3 packages, each for 2 people – consisting of entry to Sudety Cup 2026 and including official Sudety Cup orienteering shirt. Total value up to 660 EUR. Transferable to other persons.
- More information: Join us in 2026 from July 30th to August 2nd in the beautiful Orlickie Mountains for Sudety Cup – a 4-day orienteering challenge set in rarely visited, technically demanding terrain. Each of the four stages will showcase a different character of this unique region, offering a fresh test of navigation and endurance every day. Sudety Cup includes a WRE stage, attracting strong international competitors, while the kid’s zone and Mini-O courses ensure a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. With the JWOC 2027 taking place just a few kilometers away, the event is a perfect chance to explore terrain similar to what awaits athletes at the championships. In 2026, Sudety Cup also offers an ideal training opportunity before the World Masters Orienteering Championships, held in southern Poland the following week. With the same mapmakers involved in both Sudety Cup and WMOC, it is the perfect way to combine great racing with highly relevant and purposeful preparation. Webpage: https://sudetycup.pl/
en/
Event sponsor: Portugal O-meeting. February 13th-17th (Portugal)
- Prize offered: 2 packages, each one for 2 people, consisting of Portugal “O” Meeting 2026 entry fees (Model vent, Sprint WRE, Night Sprint, PreO Sprint, 2 * Middle WRE & 2 * Long) and 4 training maps (for each) provided by O-Portugal.pt. Total value up to 660 EUR. Transferable to other persons.
- More information: POM 2026 will offer you the possibility to have 7 races in 5 days, including 3 WRE stages, in the beautiful coastal region of Mira! The forest stages will be held on a new 23 km2 map, deep into our most enjoyable sand-dunes pine forests. Besides, www.O-Portugal.pt will offer you the best training maps one can have and will help you to find the perfect accommodation for your needs! Website: https://pom.pt/2026/en
Event sponsor: Swiss O-Week (SOW), July 12th – 18th (Switzerland)
- Prize offered: Competition package for two people: Entry for two people at the Swiss O Week 2026 in Portes du Soleil, including all mountain railway tickets to get to the stages from the competition centre. Value 500 CHF. Transferable to other persons.
- More information: The Swiss O Week 2026 in Portes du Soleil will take place close to french border, making it truly border-crossing. 6 stages in unique and newly mapped alpine terrain in both Switzerland and France await you, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Dents du Midi’s dramatic peaks. Read more at the website https://swiss-o-week.ch/en or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Event sponsor: OOCup, July 26th – 30th 2026 (Ireland)
- Prize offered: 2 packages, each for 2 people – consisting of: Entry for the complete 5 days OOCup competition. Total value around 440 EUR. Transferable to other persons.
- More information: Stunning landscapes, hospitable people, lakes, castles, cool pubs and of course some super nice orienteering terrain… you will find all that and much more around Killarney national park in Kerry county during OOcup/2026! We plan to use 3 distinct terrain types during the week; 1 stage in sand dunes, 3 stages typical Irish intricate mountain terrain, 1 stage in forest around Muckross garden in Killarney national park. Possibility to take part in the event car free is planned! More at oocup.com
Software sponsor: OCAD Orienteering 3-year Single User license
- Prize offered: One 3-year runtime Single User license for the software “OCAD Orienteering”. Value about 435 EUR. Transferable to other person (before activation).
- More information: OCAD Orienteering: All you need to produce orienteering maps and set orienteering courses. Perfect in combination with our new OCAD App! The OCAD App is a further development of the OCAD Sketch App and allows not only sketching but also direct editing of the map. Background maps, GPS positioning, and a compass can be used to determine your exact position in the terrain. Map projects can be transferred from the Desktop version of OCAD to the OCAD App and synchronized again after mapping. Discover the OCAD App at https://www.ocad.com/app
Event sponsor: JK International Festival of Orienteering, April 3rd – 6th (UK)
- Prize offered: A package of 4 starts at the three individual races on 3-5 April (Sprint, Middle, Long). For 4 seniors this is a package value of 400 EUR. Transferable to other persons.
- More information: The UK’s biggest Orienteering Festival returns in 2026, in Scotland for only its second visit there in 25 years! Three individual stages (Sprint, Middle, Long) which are all World Ranking for the elite, followed by an exciting Relay competition with categories for all ages. The stunning surroundings of Highland Perthshire promise to deliver a fantastic backdrop for competitors to enjoy as they take on some of Scotland’s best orienteering terrain. Come and visit a competition next door to the mountain where contours were ‘invented’, surely somewhere every orienteer should visit! Webpage: https://www.thejk.org.uk/
Event sponsor: Lipica Open, March 7th – 11th 2026 (Slovenia)
- Prize offered: 2 packages, each for 2 people – consisting of entry to complete 5 Day Lipica Open competition. Value up to about 340 EUR. Transferable to other persons.
- More information: Traditional season starter in the region that gave Karst its name. Enjoy Slovenian karst terrain already in March. More at www.lipicaopen.com
Event sponsor: 27th Grand Prix of the 4th Artillery Regiment, May 16th -17th 2026 (27º GP RA4)
- Prize offered: Entry package for 5 persons, for 27º GP RA4. The total value of the prize is EUR 285. Transferable to other persons.
- More information: 27º GP RA4 competition will be held in a forest pine tree, dune sand terrain – “Praia do Osso da Baleia”, in the coastal area between Figueira da Foz and Nazaré. Our club organized there one WRE in February 2013. We will offer 2 technical and challenging forest courses. Also a sprint moment in the small town of Pombal. All new maps!! More information here: https://eventos.coc.pt/27gpra4/ (information to be updated during December; see also the portuguese registration platform)
Event sponsor: Kapa 3days 2026. July 3rd-5th (Latvia)
- Prize offered: Two family entry packages to Kapa 3days, each including entry for two adults and two children, tent space at the event campsite, and a car parking voucher. Approximate total value: 250 EUR. Fully transferable.
- More information: Kapa 3days, the largest orienteering event in the Baltics with over 2,000 participants annually, celebrates its 39th edition! In 2026, we head to Tartaks in eastern Latvia – one of the most technical and demanding terrains in the country, featuring detailed contours, complex vegetation, and subtle route choices. The event center will offer a kindergarten, a relaxed atmosphere with evening live music, and an exciting sprint relay on Day 2. Bring your family to enjoy high-level orienteering and the stunning natural landscapes of Latgale! This year’s event page: https://2026.kapa.lv. Facebook page: https://facebook.com/Kapa3days.
Event sponsor: Fjord-o 2026. July 1st – 5th (Norway)
- Prize offered: 1 package, consisting of 2 free participations for the whole Fjord-O (4 competitions) in any class (competition classes or open courses). Total value up to 200 EUR.
- More information: International Orienteering Week in Sogndal, Norway. Enjoy Sprint in Sogndal village by the beautiful Sognefjord. Three forest stages in demanding, fast running and stunning views in mountains and birch forest. Enjoy the rest day with fjord cruise, glacier or mountain hiking, or mountain biking. Team challenge for the kids. Eirik Langedal Breivik will be the course setter for races 3 and 4, world champion on middle distance and relay at the 2025 World Championships in Kuopio!We can offer stunning scenery and newly drawn maps. Fast running forest and mountain terrain. Overall competition with one sprint and three forest distances. Short distance to the races: Day 1: Sprint in Sogndal center, Day 2-4: 2x long distance, and middle distance– arena Sogndal Ski Center – only 15 min from Sogndal. Accommodation at O-camp at Stedje camping, in apartments on campus, campsites or in Sogndal Ski Center (arena days 2-4). Touch Free EMIT stamping system every day. The following entry steps are: 15th March 2026 / 22d June 2026 / day before race day. Webpage: https://www.fjord-o.com/
World Cup Round 1 – Idre Fjäll
Long Distance – W21 A-Final
https://omaps.worldofo.com/?id=370895
A really demanding and challenging course – both technically and physically. A nice mix of terrain types with both open areas as well as slopes with lower visibility. Interesting route choices as it should be on a proper long distance.
This is a course that looks very fun, and I would like to run myself.
Price: OOCup
Thanks, Martin! I really enjoyed watching that one – definitely a good choice.
Orienteering Adventure E4 – chasing start H21A
https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/Orienteering-Adventure-E4/H21A?classId=999145
That was quite special experience running on the main ridge of Eagle Mountains here in Czechia. Unique terrain with large areas of dwarf mountain pine (dark green on the map), which is almost impossible to cross and creates these labyrinth-like structures. All that made route choosing extra fun and challenging and the chase start aspect added even more excitement to the mix! And last but not least, the leg to the first control is imo a contender for the Route to Christmas (even if you already published one from CZE) – that was a real brain teaser right from the start and moreover you have other competitors starting just a few seconds behind you – a real under-pressure situation.
As honorable mentions, I’d like to highlight two sprint races (Czech Champs and Czech Cup) from Czechia this year – these were really high level and extremely technically challenging but fair competitions!
https://www.tulospalvelu.fi/gps/20250517H21/
https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/Kitl-Cesky-pohar-INOV-8-CUP-zebricek-A/H21E?classId=1051403
Prize: OOCup
Thanks a lot, Vojtech, that looks like quite an adventure. I’ll put it up on the list for possible Route to Christmas alternatives as well (although there are quite a few other interesting Czech legs out there as well…)
Finnish Championships Middle M21
https://tulospalvelu.fi/gps/2025smkeskiM21/
A cool terrain with a variety of features, such as large cliffs, small depressions, and old spruce forest. Challenging route choices and controls due to the big cliffs and green areas. The course requires a lot of pace control, because sometimes you could run fast, but in the detailed areas you had to be extremely careful.
Prize: OCAD
Thanks a lot, another course I hadn’t seen – looks challenging with the terrain variations!
My favourite course of the year ist WOC Long Distance final Men in Finland. Or you can also go for the women‘s Race as it was close till the end to watch.
https://news.worldofo.com/2025/07/11/woc-2025-long-maps-results-and-analysis/
Why: It has everything. Enough Long legs (more than two, I count at least Four), some Short legs that were tricky too. Good direction Changes and using the whole Terrain. Absolute Great Job from the course mapper! I would Like to run such a course once in my life. Would be extremely Great to witness and feel the real Long distance (which sadly) is more and more rare to find.
@Jan: Many thanks to organize again Route to Christmas.It is always fun to Review the legs and to relive the whole orienteering Season/year. Absolute Great Job from you! it brings some minutes of orienteering joy in a month where Most orienteering activities sleep.
Price: Maximus O Meeting
Orienteering greetings from Switzerland
Christoph Salzmann
Thanks, Christoph, definitely one of my favourites to watch this year, especially the women’s race!
The JEC Long Distance in Loch Ard Forest was a proper course in a great terrain. Nice mix of route choice challenges and tricky controls in green areas and slopes in all 4 courses, but if I have to pick one I’d say the M20 course looks the best.
Shoutout also to 10Mila Långa Natten, Norwegian LD Championship and Swedish League LD in Sundsvall.
Price: POM
https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/JEC-2025-Long/M20?classId=1056924&live=false&tab=player&leg=30
Thanks, Ivar! I actually took a look at that one yesterday when looking for Route to Christmas alternatives – there is a longer leg there in all the courses except the shortest that was really interesting – might surface here during December :) And Norwegian LD Champs was of course there already today…
It has to be Jukola: https://www.tulospalvelu.fi/gps/2025MikTimo/
It was a dream for orienteering purists: no compromises regarding the competition center, very tough terrain, awesome long legs, epic forking and (as usual in Jukola) a great map.
Prize: OCAD
Yes, Jukola was great this year! Managed to do a big mistake at the first control + break my wrist, but still a great experience!
Finnish Championship Long: https://www.tulospalvelu.fi/gps/2025smpitkaM/
It just has to be. Legendary Ponsa as terrain. Challenging and very physical. Long legs with a variety of route choices, where your execution and personal strengths matter. And to crown everything, that 7 to 8 leg – I just recommend to everyone mass start from control 7 – what a beauty.
Prize: KOW (Kainuu Orienteering Week)
Absolute great stuff!!! 7 to 8 is both: extremely challenging and physically demanding.
Thanks, Joni, I hadn’t seen this one! Definitely looks like a great course – I will study it more in detail and see if I find a good candidate leg for Route to Christmas here!
My favorite course of the year is EOC Sprint Final in Lier (Belgium).
Due to the numerous map changes, map flips, and challenging route choices, it was a fantastic challenge for both the runners and the spectators.
https://news.worldofo.com/2025/09/01/eoc-2025-sprint-maps-results-and-analysis/
http://news.worldofo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/sprintindmen.gif
Price: Sudety Cup 2026
Thanks a lot, Dirk! A great championships, and a great course – thanks for bringing my memories back there!
My favorite course is the WOC long final women. The race was a true long distance – lots of long legs with route choices, shorter legs with tricky controls, in a tough Skandinavian terrain. The essence of orienteering.
https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/World-Orienteering-Championships-2025-Long-Distance/WOMEN?classId=1004470&live=false&tab=player
Price: MOM Maximus O Meeting
Thanks a lot, Ingrid – I thought it looked too easy at first sight, but the course setter surely managed to challenge the runners here!
Maximus O Meeting long distance on day 1
https://omaps.worldofo.com/?id=364740
I had a chance to draw the map for this race so this was one of the courses I was waiting really enthusiastic to see. The course had all the important features of a long distance: good routechoices, variable and tough terrain and a lot of different kinds of orienteering challenges. The terrain was quite special due to it having 5-6 completely different terrain types around a almost 300m high hill in the middle of the map varying from super fast open pine forest to tricky bouldery slopes and to some old plantations. Also a large amount of really big boulders in weird places makes the terrain interesting.
Prize: OCAD
Another great course at Maximum O Meeting – quite a job to draw that map! Course looks very interesting at first sight – I will study it in more detail when looking for a good Route to Christmas leg in there… I’d love to run there (although I’d rather run a middle in that terrain).
WOC test races looked very interesting and offered challenging courses. Long men here:
https://tulospalvelu.fi/gps/20250608TahkoMen1/
Price: OOcup or Swiss O-week.
Thanks, Marcus – another course that looks challenging and interesting at first sight – and another one I’ve got to take a thorough look at and see if there are any legs that should be included in Route to Christmas…
Sprint Prologue of PROVOM (Provence Orienteering Meeting) held in southern France in February – with first half of the course in the Citadel of Sisteron – a historic monument with scenic views – an extraordinary (and quite tricky) terrain for orienteering, making it possible to create some complex route choices.
Map M21E first part in the citadel https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/gsnr1pawgchvra4c6rpb7/AAe5JWLsNFhdbsRLGIQGoAU?dl=0&e=1&preview=PROVOM_Sprint-Citadelle_A.png&rlkey=cmamg5ed2kpn86h8fwqt2po7r
Map M21E second part in the old town center
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/gsnr1pawgchvra4c6rpb7/AAe5JWLsNFhdbsRLGIQGoAU?e=2&preview=PROVOM_Sprint-Ville_A.png&rlkey=cmamg5ed2kpn86h8fwqt2po7r&dl=0
Photos, maps from all courses, livelox, results: https://provom.fr/en/sprint-prologue-2/
Video headcam: https://provom.fr/en/video-prologue-2/
Prize: OCAD
Thanks, Eva, looks very cool with the mix of the two different terrains. I guess we should put them together in one file so that they can be shown properly on the voting page!
Varsågod Jan. Both on the same page :
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5836ov5qnmn5f3pbx4h6a/PROVOM_Prologue-Sprint_A.png?rlkey=yxj5orvtovo4onipn61whoygl&dl=0
Just the way up to the start by a 258 steps staircase carved into the roc was worth the course fee ;) Obviously not the course of this very dense and exciting international year (WOC, EOC, Jukola, WC Idrefjäll, JWOC…!) but for sure one the runners will remember.
Thanks a lot, Matthieu :)
World Cup Final Switzerland – KO sprint all rounds
In my opinion, these were the best KO courses ever. In general, I am not the biggest fan of KO-Sprints, as they are usually more of a XC race rather than an o-race. The KO courses from Uster proved the opposite with technically challenging, fun and fair courses. It was a very exciting race to follow. I especially loved that each round provided innovative and thus unexpected course setting ideas. Those who did good orienteering on their own succeeded and those who just followed others failed. I consider this an important aspect of orienteering.
http://omaps.worldofo.com/?id=376812
http://omaps.worldofo.com/?id=376814
http://omaps.worldofo.com/?id=376816
Prize: OOCup or SOW
Thanks, Johanka! There were definitely some very interesting concepts in there – and much more enjoyable to watch then many of the other KO-sprints. Difficult to understand what happened on TV, but at least for the runners this must be a lot more fun!
Hi!
I suggest JWOC Sprint – Men, very interesting course in a small village with narrow alleys on a steep slope.
https://events.loggator.com/2025JWOCsprintM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18y7u9YkChw
Prize: MOM or POM
Thanks a lot, Samuele – some interesting legs in there for sure!
WOC QUALI Finland. Top notch map and very technically challenging 1st part of the race where some favourites got penalty minutes and bad start slot for the final.. And Colombia got 1st time in the country’s orienteering history runner to the Middle finals (100% rule) 🥳
For personal reasons WOMEN3 would be my choice for the course of the year:
https://news.worldofo.com/2025/07/08/woc-2025-middle-qual-maps-and-results/
And we would love to go to MOM if we win the contest 💪
Thanks, Jukka – those were actually very interesting courses that nearly cost some of the big favourites the place in the final. Nice to get some real challenges also in the WOC qualification. And great to take another look at the courses, I’d nearly forgotten about those.
Sage Stomp XL Middle. Very challenging terrain and unique terrain for Western Canada!
https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/Sage-Stomp-XL-Middle-Distance/7-Elite-2?classId=984551&live=false&tab=player
Headcamp footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3X4TK3PX1g
Prize: POM
Very cool terrain and course – thanks for bringing this one up!
OOcup Stage 4 at Laghi di Fusine
https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/OOcup-2025-Stage-4/M21E?classId=1010210&live=false&tab=player
Working at organization of OOcup probably makes me a bit biased, but I was lucky I had time to go for a run that day and it just feels different to get lost at Laghi di Fusine :D
Other than that, I really liked Jukola’s course (already mentioned by Janis), but 2025 will probably be one to remember more for interesting trainings, than races.
Such a joy to run there last time, unfortunately didn’t work out this year, but this one definitely looks like great fun!
The WOC long distance.
https://www.livelox.com/Events/Show/162087/World-Orienteering-Championships-2025-Long-Distance
As a TV commentator, I often find the long distance courses frustrating, as too often, the decisive legs are in the start of the courses, before the TV controls, making the TV broadcast less interesting. But that was not the case in Finland this year. The first third of the courses looked quite easy and did not have too big time differences (but still there were a lot of variation in route choices), so that the excitement was still there when the runners approached the TV controls – and a lot happened during the second and third parts of the races. All the long legs had good variation in route choices, and the parts with shorter, technical orienteering proved critical.
I think that the course setters for the WOC long should get the honour Course of the year for making two great championship courses that both worked very well for TV and had solid challenges for the athletes – that is not easy!
Prize: POM, Kapa or Sudety Cup
Thanks a lot, Arild! Already suggested by Christoph further up in the comments, and I am quite sure this one will end somewhere in the Top 10 this year!
British orienteering championships course 1 (M21E) – Grizedale
This is the best long distance race that I have run. The map is arguably England’s best area and was a constant technical and physical challenge – whether fighting up steep slopes or through the dense pine trees. The course headed through many different terrain types which were a challenge to transition between, starting in open visible rolling woodland and moving through felled hillside, steep rocky wooded slopes and dense woodland with intricate contour features. It offered a few challenging long legs which split the field on different route choices, still not sure which the best way to go is on some of the legs. It was a course that gave you a great sense of achievement when finishing, and I really enjoyed the ever changing challenges it threw at me.
https://events.loggator.com/BOC25Men
Prize: MOM
I came on here to vote for this as well. #5-#6 would make a good Route to Christmas.
Thanks a lot Andrew & Scott – this one looks cool, and especially leg 5-6, I’ll take a deeper look at it!
OO-cup Stage 4 ME Laghi di Fusine
Prize: POM
Thanks a lot, Jacob! Already suggested by Matija above – definitely a good choice!
French Night Championship M21E
An amazing night race in Fontainebleau. One of the best french forest to make orienteering race.
The challenge is being able to navigate at high speeds between the rocks.
A sea of sand that cuts the map in two, perfect for practicing physical restarts.
And what’s more, all of this takes place at night in a lunar atmosphere.
https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/Championnat-de-France-de-Nuit-2025/H21?classId=1077408&live=false&tab=player
Prize : POM, Lipica and OOcup
Thanks a lot – looks like a cool course!
British Sprint Championship Finals M21E (Course 1)
https://www.boc.routegadget.co.uk/rg2/#67&course=1
An amazingly complex area. University of East Anglia campus with a very complicated multi-level area system, resulting in lots of different route choices and points in the course to get dis-orientated! Add to that the chasing-style of the finals, with every person in the A final starting in reverse order a minute apart, and you get fun mayhem which really sorts the people based on their technical skills to find the best winner. The courses required significant, detailed planning ahead whilst still racing at sprint speed and not missing current turning points, and they made the most of a very tricky area – where the multiple levels could have been ignored, instead utilised!
Prize: OOCup (preferable) or Sudety Cup or 3TRE + 5 Italia
Thanks a lot, Hebe – very nice with some sprint courses in here as well (not too many of those yet)!
For sure JWOC Sprint Relay, This is exactly how to safely organize an event with more than 70 relay teams at the start… safety at first, equal forks, route choices, great work, and super quality event.
All relays should be organized like this!
Prize:
Thanks a lot, Noora – quite a lot of fun watching that one, nice forking and some interesting route choices. The course is here if somebody is interested: https://omaps.worldofo.com/index.php?id=371286
Finnish Sprint Champs Final
https://www.numberoneaucklanddoma.com/maps/show_map.php?user=Jakob&map=2671
The combination of extremely difficult long and short twirling legs make this course very challenging.
Prize – 5+5 Days Sardinia or Lipica Open
Thanks a lot, Maya – I hadn’t seen this before. I’ll dig deeper into some of the longer legs and see if there is a gem for Route to Christmas in there …
Zegama-Aizkorri 2 days in the Basque Country.
Map Long M20-35 (Can’t find ME map in Livelox). I nominate this one:
https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/Liga-Norte-Aizkorri-Larga-F-E-M20-M35/M-35?classId=1012803&live=false&tab=player
Middle M45: https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/Liga-Norte-Aizkorri-Media-M-AK-M-45/M-AK?classId=1011977&live=false&tab=player
The terrain is located between km 18 and 26 of the prestigious Zegama-Aizkorri mountain running race. Because it is a protected area, only 300 lucky orienteers were allowed to run the race. One of the best karst maps in Northern Spain. Nice beech forest with tricky courses and tough terrain (stony and steep in parts). Best orienteers in the world would run no faster than 7:00-7:30 min/km
Price: OCAD
Thanks a lot, Manu – this one really looks cool, and I haven’t seen it before. Would be nice with some more routes to compare here, but I guess with only 300 runners there is not enough to analyze per category anyway…
Hi Jan,
I would like to suggest Czech championship at sprint distance, men´s category:
https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/Grant-Thornton-Mistrovstvi-CR-ve-sprintu/H21?classId=952673&live=false&tab=player
(there was a map flip at control 15)
It was a very fast race (almost completely flat), with many route choices, several multilevel sections, and one crucial long leg. In the middle part, there were a few short legs where you had to slow down just to keep up with reading the map. I ran the race myself, and it was a great experience for me.
Prize: Lipica :)
Thanks a lot, Luka – great to get another sprint course in here – it sure looks challenging. Another one that I have to sit down and study in more detail!
Polish Sprint Champs 2025 in Kamień Pomorski
I would like to suggest my course from Polish championship – sprint distance, men´s 21 category:
https://www.livelox.com/Events/Show/167575/Sprinterskie-MP-Sprint
I received only positive feedback from runners for constructing this course. Many of them said it was the most interesting route created in Poland in recent years.
The course ran through the charming town of Kamień Pomorski and consisted of several sections – residential neighborhoods, a park, and the old town. The elevation gain and artificial closures created quite a challenge for the runners.
Thanks Bartlomiej, now the sprint courses keep flowing in! Leg 2-3 looks especially interesting, I’ll make a draft analysis and see if it might be a good fit for Route to Christmas!
Lipica Open 2025 Stage 1 M21E
Slovenia
http://omaps.worldofo.com/index.php?id=365473
Very challenging terrain and difficult to run from the lot of rocks on the ground tempting some orienteers to find a path even if it was a longer route choice.
Prize: 3TRE Orienteering + 5 Days Italy 2026
Thanks, Wilder, looks like a lot of fun!
Maybe I would suggest National Games orienteering competition from China. The competition map is not too difficult, but this leg 7-8 is still challenging
https://m.kanguiji.com/client_live/716%2Fh%2Fcpq5pzPOBfx5uQUA%3D%3D/RQX%2BRurSrstFA41WfBcBefI2Nv0HGfOBKPMO%2Bwnlrwlfx5KRFLrfqDAvtHrmIRT7?uimode=s&lang=c
website
Thanks you, very nice with a course from another continent – looks quite challenging!
JEC Long Distance M20.
A great course in a challenging terrain. A good variety of orienteering challenges and several good route choice legs.
https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/JEC-2025-Long/M20?classId=1056924&live=false&tab=player&leg=30
Thanks a lot, Svein Terje! A great course, already suggested by Ivar Lundanes above, and actually also featured in Route to Christmas today (I didn’t read this until today, so I didn’t see your excellent suggestion until now).
7. Swiss National Event, Long Heinzenberg
https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/7-Nationaler-OL-Langdistanz/HE?classId=1064132
A never before mapped gem with as always in the swiss mountains stunning surroundings and views. Many sections with very detailed terrain, the tough underground and technically challenging legs (maybe even RtC worthy?), where especially the execution was key, made this race a real long distance experience.
Prize: OOCup or SOW
Thanks a lot, Silvan! It looks fantastic to run, and I actually already had a look at it a few days ago as a candidate for Route to Christmas and put it on the long list (but the “arm-chair-routechoices” are maybe not as interesting here as the more “micro” type routechoices you have to do all the way when running it)
Sprint trial in Budapest, Hungary: https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/Sprint-Tusa-2025-Egyeni/F21A?classId=1025934&live=false&tab=player
Complex routechoices in a multi-level area offered by the garages, but also some easier legs – still needing careful map reading – between to speed up. The actual race map was with map flip for better readability.
Also some legs maybe for route to christmas: 9-10, 11-12,23-24
Price: Lipica open
Thanks a lot, Sofia! Some of the multilevel legs really look tricky, I’ll have to study this in more detail to understand the legs properly. I’ll put it on my Route to Christmas long list!
POM day 2 Men Elite Long distance: https://omaps.worldofo.com/index.php?id=365175
Quite fast yet beautiful terrain where it was crucial to maintain high pace while making the correct route choices. The course also utilized nicely the variations in the terrain forcing you to adjust your style of orienteering from the open part in the south to the more denser forest in the middle of the map.
Prize: JK International o-festival
Thanks, Mikko, looks like a very nice and varied course. I will have a look at the longer legs in more detail and see if they could be interesting to Route to Christmas…
The best race nobody got to race. Kainuu Orienteering Week 2025 day 4 chasing start got canceled due to dangerous weather. The courses would have been on the area of WOC 2013 middle distance qualification and right next to Jukola 2027 area. Difficult hillside with limited visibility would have offered interesting conclusion of the week.
DAY 4:
https://omaps.worldofo.com/index.php?id=371550
https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/57-Kainuun-Rastiviikko-29-6-4-7-2025-4-osakilpailu/H21E?classId=1000609&live=false&tab=player
The same area was used to lesser extent on the first day, which to be honest still could probably score high on the vote.
DAY 1:
https://omaps.worldofo.com/index.php?id=371333
https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/57-Kainuun-Rastiviikko-29-6-4-7-2025-1-osakilpailu/H21E?classId=997196&live=false&tab=player
Prize: KOW 2026
Thanks a lot, Eemeli – this looks like a very nice and challenging course – I remember that tricky terrain from back in 2013, and with the less detailed part with more path running in addition I am sure that gives some interesting challenges! A pity it got cancelled…
I think the norwegian night championship was very cool. Exciting terrain and courses (H21). https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/NM-natt/H-21-?classId=920889&live=false&tab=player
Thanks a lot, Halvor, I had not seen this one, it actually looks very cool! And leg 15-16 could very well be a good candidate for Route to Christmas. I will do a preliminary analysis and see how it comes out!
The EOC Individual Sprint in Lier, Belgium. All of the favorites made errors. The organizers had gained access to many private grounds which aren’t normally open to the public, schools but not only.
Thanks, Pierre! Already suggested by Dirk above, but definitely a very interesting course and race!
I suggest Spanish North League in Aizkorri Natural Park.
Long: https://www.livelox.com/Events/Show/163766/Liga-Norte-Aizkorri-Larga-F-E-M20-M35
Middle: https://3drerun.worldofo.com/index.php?id=-17057393&type=info
Interestingly, in the mecca of world trail running, we find one of the best races of the year, without a doubt.
A technical and physical race in a very beautiful setting. Also within the northern Spanish league. A league that includes everything from the pine forests of EYOC 2010, the rocks of Maximus O’Meeting, the labyrinths of Las Tuerces (https://www.adolince.es/doma/show_map.php?user=Juanjo+Dur%C3%A1n&map=134&lang=es), or even these more Central European-style terrains in the Basque Country.
I hope you’ll keep that in mind!
Price: Sudety Cup 2026
Thanks a lot, Mateo! This one was already suggested by Manu above, but still looks like a great course in great terrain.
My suggestion is Aguiar da Beira “O” Meeting Men Elite Middle distance.
I think it was the best middle distance we ever set in Aguiar da Beira area. The course was very varied, starting on a rather easy arena, and then going to a super technical slope (very green and rocky). Then, back again to faster area.
Map: https://events.loggator.com/PvTJsA
Prize: OCAD
As always great courses in Aguiar da Beira “O” Meeting, thanks!
Where I had the most fun orienteering this year was definitely OOCup stage 1. I love this map and I was so looking forward to it as I’ve been there before. But this time I took the Ultimate course without roads and paths which made it way more fun. And it probably doesn’t matter how they set the course here, the principle is always the same (and it’s awesome). You begin with full speed zig-zaging through karstic depressions on the plateau, then you drop into the rocky labyrinth in the north where you have to slow down and then back up again pedal on the floor. It may not look like but it’s quite tricky and you can easily get lost in both the plateau and the rocky slope. Plus the map looks somewhat soothing without paths.
Course: https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/OOcup-2025-Stage-1/M21-ULT?classId=1010003&live=false&tab=player
Prize: JK or Fjord-O
Thanks, Matej! I’d really have liked to be there, looks like great fun on the map!
Craigie Creek Mountain-O in the Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
http://omaps.worldofo.com/index.php?id=371328
This course began with a paddleboard ride over an alpine stream and then took runners through gorgeous mountain terrain over high ridges and snowfields. The map is quite unique and captured fine topographic details well. The scenery was truly remarkable.
Prize KOW.
Wow, cool place and course! Will take a closer look at this one!
2025 Vinterjukola, no 5, A-lang
https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/Vinter-Jukola-l-p-5/lang-A?classId=1088818&live=false&tab=player
I guess it is mostly a shoutout to the terrain, that has become one of my favourites from the very first visit there.
However as the mentioned local event was a night-orienteering event (the best discipline in orienteering) and as the course was set to be properly challenging then I would say it was excellent fun-time. Every small loss of concentration was strongly penalized.
Prize: Fjord-O or SOW
Great terrain which I have used in Route to Christmas before – also looks like there are some nice legs in that course!
Hello,
I’m suggest Stage 1 of the 2 Days of Capcir 2025, held on August 2nd, 2025.
It was a middle-distance race setting by Eva Jurenikova in one of the most beautiful forests in the Pyrenees Mountain — an amazing, challenging area, perfect for orienteering and of course excellently mapped by Ray Hulse and Léo Falcone.
Victory went to Lucas and Isa Basset in M21E and W21E.
Website : https://ccio.fr/d1-middle-distance/
Livelox : https://www.livelox.com/Events/Show/163919/2-jours-du-Capcir-2025-Moyenne-distance
Results : https://obasen.orientering.se/winsplits/online/fr/default.asp?page=classes&databaseId=106639&ct=true
Price : OCAD :)
Very cool terrain – and the course also looks very interesting and varied – thanks a lot for the suggestion, Benoit!
My suggestion is the second stage och Gotland 3-days, M21E.
It was a competition se on a limestone plateu with partly open visability but with dense forest in other parts. Therefor there was more technical parts of terrain and more non-technical parts that drove up running speed. I think the course setter did a great job working with both parts to create a diverse and challenging course.
Link https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/Gotlands-3-dagars-etapp-2-medel/H21-Elit?classId=999993&live=false&tab=player
Prize: 5+5 Days Sardinia
Thanks, Brent – this looks like a lot of fun, can’t remember having seen this type of terrain in Gotland before!
10Mila absolutely deserves the “Course of the Year 2025” award. Although it is a legendary event, this year’s edition stood out as exceptionally exciting and enjoyable compared to previous years.
Both watching and running the competition were indescribably great. The arena was brilliantly designed for spectators, the forest was stunning, the map quality was outstanding, and the running conditions were perfect. Despite this, the courses remained demanding and well-balanced: many short and technical legs required constant focus, while the longer legs offered complex route-choice challenges.
On Sträcka 4 out of 10, for example, the fastest route on the long leg was far from obvious. Who could have predicted that the entire train of elite runners would head east via the wide road and that this unusual choice would create such a huge gap between them and the rest? That moment truly captured the magic of the night, and it is also why I am choosing Sträcka 4 as my nomination.
If this is not the best race of the entire year, then the winner will have to be something truly extraordinary and beautiful, as this was an awesome and unique experience for everyone who ran or watched the competition, especially for NTNUI, the well-deserving winners of the relay.
Price: Lipica Open, Slovenia
10Mila was great this year, I’ll definitely take another look at it for Route to Christmas as well – thanks a lot for the suggestion & reminder!
Arenzano WRE Sprint https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/WRE-Arenzano-Coppa-Italia-1/M-ELITE?classId=920762&live=false&tab=player
It was a good race in Italy: a nice mix of legs and terrain, interesting route choices, strong athlete field, beautiful views and arena, and lots of pathos.
Could you please tell me how to add the map on omaps.worldofo.com?
Price: OO Cup
Thanks, Franco – nice with another sprint! You cannot add events/maps to omaps.worldofo.com yourself, that is done automatically. I will fix:)
Serbia , Bela Reka, April 27, 2025. WRE LONG 15000
https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/Bela-Reka-PS-duga-distanca-PSK-Pobeda/M21-A-?classId=942755&tab=player&live=false
Completely new experience with karst sinkholes during continuous rain.
Need to adapt fast to drawing and terrain :)
Any , in order:
Sudety Cup 2026
Kapa 3days 2026
3TRE Orienteering
Great, thanks! Looks a lot of fun!
Maze-O in Israel, 5th September 2025
https://dchissick.wordpress.com/2025/09/06/a-maze-ing-o/
(there’s a map in the blog post)
Just for the uniqueness of the course and the place.
Prize: Kapa 3 days
Thanks, Dan, sure looks like a cool place to run!
EOC2025 – Sprint Final
To have a major championship @home, and still be challenged by the course and the terrain, and knowing how much effort the course setters and the whole Belgian orienteering community have put into organising this, is something very remarkable. As athletes we should be very greatfull to have volunteers trying to provide such an experience for us. So therefore this nomination. Thank you.
https://news.worldofo.com/2025/09/01/eoc-2025-sprint-maps-results-and-analysis/
http://news.worldofo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/sprintindmen.gif
Price: OCAD License
Thanks, Wouter! Already suggested a few times above, but definitely an excellent suggestion!
o if sor cothe year ftaastic course also witth maapeexxchange
nfaurse of uugges JWOC Spnt course frrom aarirron GGai
Thanks, iGogg – I guess what is meant here is the JWOC Sprint, as suggested by Samuele above…?
Hello there,
I would like to nominate the MW21 courses of the Czech Sprint Relay Championship 2025.
The competition took place in the medieval town of Buštěhrad, with its arena situated in the park by the chateau.
There were many route choices that all looked quite similar, so planning in advance was really difficult, especially considering the amount of climb due to the many stairs and steep, narrow streets.
I had a lot of fun running this course on Leg 3, and I’m already looking forward to a similar type of sprint relay.
Prize (any, by the order)
1. MOM 2026
2: OOcup 2026
3. Kapa 3 Days 2026
https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/Grant-Thornton-Mistrovstvi-CR-sprintovych-stafet/DH21?classId=963338&live=false&tab=player
Thanks, Dan, looks like another great Czech Sprint course – I will put it into my list of courses to take a closer look at!
Best race:
KOW stage 4
https://omaps.worldofo.com/index.php?id=371550
Prize: OCAD License
Thansk, Tuomo, already suggested by Eemeli above, but sure looks like a great race (where you lucky enough to race it?)
World cup final knock-out
Absolutely interesting courses in all stages through whole knock-out day. Course setter was able make varied courses for quarter final, semi finals and on cherry on top was the finals course which made use of undeground parking garage and two indoor building! Race was very interesting to watch and keep tension for men overall victory till last end.
https://www.tulospalvelu.fi/gps/20250928_OWC_KOMF/
https://www.tulospalvelu.fi/gps/20250928_OWC_KOMS/
https://www.tulospalvelu.fi/gps/20250928_OWC_KOMQ/
Prize:
Portugal O meeting 2026
Thanks, Daniel! Was already suggested by Johanka above, and will probably be featured in Route to Christmas later this week, will see what I manage to get out of it!
https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/GAPP-Czech-O-Tour-2025-Krusne-hory-E2/H35A?classId=1073231&live=false&tab=legView&leg=20
Thanks, Pawel – I guess that was maybe a leg for Route to Christmas?
I know it says courses you have “runned”, but its worth to nominate this one for all o-reasons:
WTOC TempO-final course, Červený Kameň outside Bratislava, Slovakia
Course set by Jan & Dusan Furucz
TempO requires great map understanding and navigation under strong time pressure, where mistakes are punished by time penalties of 30seconds and relocation is key in the beginning. I would say this course requires alot of orienteering skills. The course is varied with lot of changes in terrain formations and tasks, from long distance view to short and wide and tricks to confuse the competitor. The map is a issprom-map in the forest, with lot of small rock features that could turn out to be bare rock-areas or types of cliffs. The course setters managed to make a high-level course that was solveable and great matched with time-management!
I can say it is for sure the hardest orienteering course i have done!
Competitor map: https://wtoc2025.org/wp-content/uploads/Maps/TempO_Final/TempO_Final.pdf
Solution map: efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/ https://wtoc2025.org/wp-content/uploads/Maps/TempO_Final/TempO_Final_Solutions.pdf
Prize (in that order):
OCAD
KOW
Thanks, Anders. Usually we focus on foot-o courses here, but I will take a look at this one as well. Website does not seem to work just now, but I will check again tomorrow.
Is it still not working? Mine worked fine. https://wtoc2025.org/competitions/tempo/
You will find both competiton map and solution here or navigate yourself through wtoc2025.org :)
If not accepted, my reserve nomination is NM Jr.Stafett Mens course https://www.livelox.com/Events/Show/168380/NM-junior-stafett
Great use of terrain when arena passage was needed, and both challenging forkings and opportunities to do solo routes, making the last leg live until the final controls!
Great, now it works. However, I think your reserve nomination fits better in here, so I’ll put that in instead!
I would like to nominate Aguiar da Beira O Meeting Long distance Men Elite. As real length long distances start to get fewer, I would like to give a shout-out to a race weekend featuring a real long distance and making it a really good one – using the most of the area, giving a varied course with both faster sections in open areas and well runnable forest as well as trickier sections in green and steep areas. What I especially like is that the course offered route choices also on shorter legs, so that you always had to be ahead in your orienteering. During the course, you really had to hit the crucial passages through the bushes at the same time as having to push hard in the many uphills. A good long distance course!
https://omaps.worldofo.com/index.php?id=364936
Possible prizes:
Portugal O Meeting, Maximus O Meeting, Kapa 3 days and Ocad
Thanks, Simon, I always enjoy your nominations! Actually I was just looking at this one for Route to Christmas when your nomination came in, so very timely:)
I’d also like to give Kapa 3 days, especially the two first days, a mention. Excellent runnability in fantastic terrain, with great technical challenges especially in the northern part of the terrain. I was recovering from injury and had to jog and walk more than running, but definetely did it with a smile on my face all the way! Great summer holiday competition and very well organized. I nominate the W21E course on Day 2 as it had much of the same layout and use of terrain as my own veteran course: https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/Kapa-2025-foot-o-day-2/W21E?classId=995810&live=false&tab=player
Thanks, Arild, always interesting terrain and great courses at Kapa!
I would like to nominate the Sälen 3+3 E1 Medel course to highlight this high quality event organised in the Swedish mountains by Malungs OK, with super fun and technical terrains, very good training package, and nice scenic landscape. Definitely worth the trip, for sure.
The LD was even more enjoyable to run i think (more variations of the terrain) but the MD maybe looks more sexy on paper for the voters ;)
https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/Salen-3-3-etapp-1-medel/H21-Elit?classId=995746&live=false&tab=player
Prize : Ocad
Thanks a lot, looks is everything :)
EYOC 2025 long distance (M18)
https://www.tulospalvelu.fi/gps/20250718M18/
more info with results etc. here https://eyoc2025.cz
Really challenging long distance in nice, but really hilly terrain near Brno, in Moravian karst. It’s nowhere similar to karst terrains like in Slovenia or Croatia, but still there are parts of forrest with rocks and depressions (more used on relay race two days later). Most of the forest is beech or spruce, with white parts beeing very runnable with good visibility, and green parts beeing very dense, usually with thorny blackberries.
The youth long distance is not so long, yet there vere some really interesting long legs with routechoice (notably leg to control 3, which could be also good for route to christmas).
Prizes: 5+5 Days Sardinia, Swiss O-week
Thanks, Stanislav – I didn’t recall this one, but definitely a great course!
I nominate the World Games Sprint in Chengdu, China, as Course of the Year.
https://orienteering.sport/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025_twg_sprint_0803_men.pdf
It was an outstanding venue: a vast park, varied sections, and a spectacular arena.
Organising this competition was particularly challenging due to the emotions we were dealing with after what happened to Mattia just two days earlier during the Middle distance. We did our best to deliver a high-quality event despite a mood that is truly impossible to describe in words.
Extensive taping throughout the gardens ensured fairness, the TV-friendly setup worked very well, and the course offered a wide range of legs requiring different skills and techniques.
Thank you very much for the nomination, Alessio! This sprint race is unfortunately not what we will remember the World Games 2025 for, but it sure was a demanding and interesting course.
9ª Spanish league: Trofeo Extremadura
Middle distance – 7/12/2025
Course: https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/MEDIA-DISTANCIA-BARRUECOS-VIII-TROFEO-EXTREMADURA-CAMPEONATO/ME?classId=1090382&live=false&tab=player
Info: https://fexo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/BOLETIN-3-TROFEO-EX-O-CTO-IBERICO-2025.pdf
Astonishing place, scenery of The Game of Thrones series, with very tricky orienteering across rocky terrain.
And another singular place with demanding orienteering:
8ª spanish league: Trofeo Quijotes
Sprint distance – 11/10/2025
Course: https://3drerun.worldofo.com/2d/?server=o-track.dk&eventid=94806&liveid=1
Info: https://trofeoquijotes.es/
At first sight, the map could look more simple than it is. But the small village is on a very steep slope of 75m of climb. The result is a cluttered bunch of narrow parallel streets that are extremely difficult to handle even running upwards.
Prize: MOM
Thanks, Luis! I added the first one, but the second is tricky to see on the map (and the course maybe not that special?) so I decided to skip that one…
GAPP Czech O-Tour 2025 – Žacléř – E2 5.4.2025
https://omaps.worldofo.com/index.php?id=367215
I would like to nominate this course. I ran the H21A category, but I couldn’t find a suitable map, so I’m nominating H21E instead. A very interesting race in the area of a former mine. The initial physically demanding part on the dumps, a more technical passage between buildings and the final indoor part on a total of 8 floors. It was challenging, but I really enjoyed it.
Price: OCAD license
Thanks, Lukas – looks really cool!
Hello,
Sprint race at EYOC 2025.
Many similar buildings with detailed fences, followed by a long process without any time for preparation and finish same as begining.
https://www.tulospalvelu.fi/gps/20250719M18/
Event sponsor: JK International Festival of Orienteering, April 3rd – 6th (UK)
Thank you
Thanks! I’ve been looking at that several times lately, the leg from 13-14 has been suggested for Route to Christmas from a few different people.
Oringen Indoor: https://doma.orienteering.asn.au/show_map.php?user=arthurb&map=4113
Super tricky route choices. Fun to “run”.
Price: 3TRE Orienteering + 5 Days Italy 2026
Thanks! The third course with some indoor elements nominated, but the only one that is only indoors:)
I would like to nominate the H21E course from the long distance race GAPP Czech O-Tour 2025 – Krušné hory – E2 ran in the Czech mountains this autumn. I think it was a great long distance that was both fun and demanding. Shorter legs in the flatter terrain in the beginning, where you needed to be technically precise and longer legs with a routechoice in the last hillier part to make it more physically hard. Many legs focused more on finding the right path in the terrain rather than choosing the way and just following it, even though there were a lot of paths in the forest.
Link: https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/GAPP-Czech-O-Tour-2025-Krusne-hory-E2/H21E?classId=1073228&live=false&tab=player
Prize: OOCup 2026
Thanks, Albert! The race has already suggested a few times above, nice course!
Lerici, training course: another step on the road to WOC 2026 https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/-WOC-2026-training-camp-March-2025-Lerici-timed-sprint/ME?classId=896593&live=false&tab=player
Price: POM
Sorry, that one is password protected, so I can’t access it:/
I would like to go back to memories of this year’s Gdańsk City Race main stage
https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/Gdansk-City-Race-2025-E4/Elite-M?classId=986895&live=false&tab=player
While all 3 sprints were challenging in different ways and terrains, longer course challenged runners in many route choices through the old town of Gdańsk.
Seeing every famous spots around was a great addition!
Prize: Sudety Cup 2026
Thanks, Dominika, those city races can be a lot of fun (if you are in good shape)!
I forgot the best sprint race I ran this year.
It was in Italy, during the latinum certamen in Rotonda, organized by Pollino Orienteering.
Livelox: https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/Latinum-Certamen-Sprint-WRE/M18-M20?classId=944320&live=false&tab=player
I was a really tricky and fun race with two parts, one south part where you were able to run really fast but always keeping in mind that you were running in 1:3000 and everything was so close. Then you had the super tricky hill. A really fun challenge where you must be always concentrated because everything came so fast.
This is undoubtedly the best sprint race I ran this year, where your physical fitness played a secondary role.
I hope I’ll beat It this year, but It’s gonna be difficult!
Price: Sudenty cup
Thanks – a nice leg to the 3rd control in there!
I nominate the Jüriöö relay in Estonia:
https://sportrec.eu/gps/jurioo-2025
Night relays are always special and this traditional mixed night relay was held for the 64th time. This is the Estonian equivalent relay competition as is Jukola and 10mila to Finland and Sweden. The five legs go as follows: man – woman – man – woman – man. The event has a requirement that the arena has to be at or by a town/city, which usually limits the terrain choice a lot. I find that this year, the terrain (same as EOC 2006 middle) was extraordinarily difficult (and nice!) for this event and allowed the course setter to make practically uncompromised challenging courses! Most of all, demanding navigation, plenty of route choices and proper forking. Good competition atmosphere as well, as in addition to a run-through there was a live-TV broadcast and a TV screen at the arena for following the race.
If I’d had to pick only one leg, I’d say the 3rd – or the “long night” – leg was the crown of the competition.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r9yTf7UxxVeYRKbQnoVQMb33YmzqSDOq/view?usp=sharing
PS! If fortune smiles, then Kapa 3days as the prize.
Thanks, Lauri, looks cool!
Quiero proponer para la carrera del año 2025 el Campeonato de Media Distancia de España. Celebrado el día 20 de abril al sur de la península ibérica. En el municipio de El Pedroso, provincia de Sevilla. Esta prueba fue organizada por el club ADOL. La categoría que me parece más interesante es M-Elite. Una carrera que se sitúa en un entorno con mucha visibilidad y con muchos elementos rocosos. Para poder ganar esa prueba, había que leer de una manera rápida y muy precisa en un entorno con una visibilidad solo obstruida por las rocas y las encinas. Un mapa con no demasiado desnivel que aunque no tenga demasiadas elecciones de ruta, si tienes que saber leer e interpretar los elementos rocosos para poder hacer una carrera perfecta.
Creo que la carrera ofrece una velocidad muy rápida, una dificultad técnica alta y un paisaje que estaba precioso después de las lluvias de esta primavera
Enlace a TracTrac de la prueba: https://live.tractrac.com/viewer/index.html?target=https://www.o-track.dk/api/v1/courses/87972/params_file.json
Premios: MOM
Thanks, Luis!
I want to nominate the two middle distances at the last Spanish League: Trofeo Extremadura. It was held in the unique terrain of Los Barruecos and Pico de las Tinieblas. The Terrain was a protected natural monument defined by massive granite boulders (5-10meters) and open land. It looks like a “Stone City” or a giant labyrinth dropped into the Spanish dehesa. It was also used to film some scenes of Game of Thrones.
Middle Los Barruecos: https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/MEDIA-DISTANCIA-BARRUECOS-VIII-TROFEO-EXTREMADURA-CAMPEONATO/ME?classId=1090382&live=false
Middle Pico de las Tinieblas: https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/MEDIA-DISTANCIA-TORREMOCHA-PICO-DE-LAS-TINIEBLAS-VIII-TROFEO/ME?classId=1090471&live=false&tab=player
Maps in good quality: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fWs0YMRFcBJZRDaR1tDsnT2_NXmLmKL2/view?usp=drive_link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rh57ZLKxDK6QVF-6YZAyk7kpP-4a89KQ/view?usp=drive_link
Prize: OCAD or POM
Thanks, Pablo! The first of these looks really cool, already suggested above.
Hello, I recommend 2025 Tokyo Deaflympics, Orienteering, Men’s long distance corse.
Livelox▼
https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/Tokyo-2025-Deaflympics-Long-distance/long_M?classId=1088293&live=false&tab=player
GPS▼
https://moments.tractrac.com/go/12409
Thanks to the efforts of many people, we believe we were able to provide a truly exciting and interesting course for the deaf athletes.
The athletes ran through a uniquely volcanic terrain and an exotic landscape that was a first for all of them. They also had to overcome a wide range of challenges characteristic of long-distance. Example, athletes had to navigate in very detailed area themselves but also select some big or micro route choices.
We received very positive feedback from the athletes, and the fact that the highly level-athletes maked such an tight battle for the win is another reason we consider it a great course.
Prize:OCAD
Thanks, terrain looks very cool – also a nice long leg in there.
When I lived in Tokyo I got the opportunity to run in that terrain – and it was unique! The mixture of open black sand-fields, patches with 2-m tall grass, and volcanic rock-formations that made the contours random in a way erosion and glaciation does not made it a biggly fun challenge. If anyone gets to Tokyo a visit to Izu Oshima is well worth a day! (The last post on my course was in a depression inside an area of deep green – so there was a 200-m horizontal climb in and out through thorny bushes tied together with vines but that was also an adventure…)
Must say that the Vicgorian Long Distance champs courses look absolutely amazing https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/Victorian-Long-Distance-Championships-Mount-Korong/W21E?classId=944888&live=false&tab=player
Yes, I agree! I have looked at that one a few times when considering Route to Christmas legs, and it might still come (two very interesting longer legs in there)
I want to nominate pre_world_cup middle race in Vyšší Brod (Šumava mountains). Course setter Radek Teringl did a great job by using quite fast and runnable first part to make us tired before hitting stony paradise where you had to keep your concentraion otherwise you were lost for good. Changing longer route choices with short legs. Exactly how the modern middle distance should look like.
It’s a pity that not so manny runners took part in this. Recomend to do a short camp here before acctual WC. ;)
Leg 18 can be a candidate for route to Chrismass. :)
race page: https://oris.ceskyorientak.cz/Zavod?id=9115
Livelox: https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/Oblastni-zebricek/M21E?classId=1029272&live=false&tab=player
Prize: MOM or Sudety cup
Thanks, Milos! Looks cool, I’ll also take a good look at leg 18!
I think Kainuu Orienteering week H21 day1 is on of the best courses at year 2025. Terrain is very rough and the weather was horrible during the race, cold and rainy. Race was next to Jukola 2027 terrain in Vuokatti. Vuokatti is also rememberd from woc2013.
https://www.tulospalvelu.fi/gps/2025krv1H21/
location:
https://asiointi.maanmittauslaitos.fi/karttapaikka/?lang=fi&share=customMarker&n=7107172.2682259865&e=560571.0304708473&title=&desc=&zoom=10&layers=W3siaWQiOjIsIm9wYWNpdHkiOjEwMH1d-z
prize: oocup
i chose the knock out sprint final in uster
https://www.tulospalvelu.fi/gps/20250928_OWC_KOWF//map
because it is the perfect course for a knock you can create a amazing atmosfere it is almost a track race where the athletes race head to head.
prie: swiss o week
Thanks, Daan! Already nominated a few times above, but definitely a cool one!
I would like to nominate the Latvian Championships in Middle Distance. The competition took place in an intricate micro-terrain with very fast runnability. A good illustration of just how challenging the terrain was can be seen in the relay on the following day: even the experienced and fast runner Mārtiņš Sirmais—who won the Middle race—lost time over a segment of three consecutive controls to a competitor who is normally twice as slow.
Livelox link: https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/Latvijas-Cempionats-videja-distance/M21E?classId=1042183&live=false&tab=player
Prize preference: Swiss-O-Week.
Thanks, Austris – just in time before closing down here:)
Leaning backwords in my comfortable chair and judging alll the nominated courses I go for leg 3 in Jukola 2025. Many long legs with several route choises in combination with shorter and directional changing legs split the crowd to challenge the individual.
PRIZE: OO-Cup Ireland
Great, Bjarne – definitely one of the highlights of the year of the competitions I ran. Already added by Jānis above, though.
Them I am closing for further nominations – thanks all for your nominations!