SO 50th Anniversary top

Southdowns Orienteers will be 50 at the turn of the year.

Our committee have decided to mark the occasion with a one-time anniversary top. This incorporates our traditional colours, a one-time badge on the front showing a combined map of Stanmer Park (left half from our very first event in 1977, right half from the current map), and some contours from one of our most popular venues.

We will order this from a UK supplier, Esk, who supply a range of sports. For those of you that would like one of these, please email quantity, sizing, and unisex or ladies fit to [email protected]. Monies will then need paying into the SO bank account, for the special price of £29 per top, and we will then do a bulk order. Please complete this by 31^st October 2026. The tops will then be manufactured and sent to our kit officer who can distribute them at our December events. Let him know if you need them earlier in December e.g. to wrap up as Xmas presents and we’ll doubtless find a way.

Autumn club nights 2026

Autumn club nights return on Tuesday 22^nd September.
Courses have been risk assessed according to this document.

SO 4th at CompassSport Cup Final

We couldn't quite match our third place position at the 2019 final at the same venue, it always looked like it would be a good race for third place behind FVO and SYO and so it proved. In the end we were pipped for 3rd by SN (who beat us in the qualifier) but held off strong challenges from BOK and HH. The club captain has the maps for those members who left before 1pm. Results can be found here.

Summer Trail Runs 2026

Summer trail runs returned on 16th April 2026. Courses have been risk assessed according to this document

We will meet as a group at 6:30pm each Thursday although we hope to make the activities available online to attempt at your leisure. Courses will be saved in the Trail Runs folder on MapRun (UK/Sussex/Trail Runs).

Please sign up using the Strawpoll and indicate (when appropriate) whether you would like a map provided (cost £1) or are happy to print off your own.

FIRST AID TRAININGFree to SO Members

0900hrs – 1700hrs Saturday 2^nd January 2027 at Ringmer, near Lewes.

The course is free of charge to SO members.

Tea/coffee and biscuits will be provided, please bring a packed lunch.

To book your place contact Steve Blount by the 3^rd November 2026.

Peter Palmer Junior Team Relay Success

Our two Southdowns Junior Teams ran to podium positions at the recent Peter Palmer Junior Team Relay which took place on Ashdown Forest. The seven person PP team took 2nd place and the five person daybreak team took 3rd place. Our junior teams ranged from age 10 to 18 and included seven newcomers to this event.

September Southdowner

The latest edition of the club magazine is available to download here