A team of island orienteering enthusiasts is preparing to host a championship this autumn.

The team, consisting of Seven Kingdons Events, Adventurous Experiences, Knockaloe Beg Farm, Peel Commissioners and the Isle of Man Orienteering Klubb (IoMOK), wants to run the event in September.

Tony Garrett, from the IoMOK, said: ’In orienteering events, the aim is to navigate in sequence between a set of control points and decide the best route to complete the course in the quickest time. It does not matter how young, old or fit you are, as you can run, walk or jog the course and progress at your own pace.’

The Seven Kingdoms Isle of Man Orienteering Championship takes place on Saturday, September 16, starting at 9.30am from Knockaloe Beg Farm.

Participants will be able to choose from three different challenge levels, the top being the championship course. Anyone wanting to enter is being encouraged to do so in advance online, following the link on social media site www.facebook.com/IoMOrienteering/

Cost of the event is £3 for adults and £1 under 16s. Registration takes place from 8.30am.

The orienteering itself will be followed by a prize presentation scheduled for 11.30am, and the farm café will be open throughout.

William Higgins, a teacher at Cronk y Berry primary school, has been an enthusiastic advocate for orienteering for a number of years, even setting up fun courses for pupils in the school grounds.

’There is a real drive for organising fun, family friendly orienteering training and events, such as ’learn 2 orienteer’ and ’try orienteering’ at venues around the Isle of Man. ’Orienteering is such an accessible activity,’ he said.

Inspired by a visiting team of professional orienteers in 2012, William, along with Sandor Talas (an island resident and an organiser of the World Orienteering Championships), established a permanent course in Noble’s Park.

They were also instrumental in establishing other permanent courses in Archallagan plantation (backed by DEFA), Peel Hill, and the town itself, and recently Knockaloe Beg Farm, all using high grade maps and courses.

Kieron Tastagh of Adventurous Experiences said: ’IoMOK was formed in March, and brought together people from a variety of professional backgrounds and a common love of orienteering and the great outdoors.’