Summer Sprint Series 2026

A series of five evening sprint events held over consecutive Tuesday nights in February and March. These are always fun and are planned by some of the up and coming club juniors. Courses suitable for all, from schools students and families to elite orienteers!  

• Run, jog, or walk - you set the pace
• By yourself, in a team, or as a family
• Try a new fun adventure or take it as a competitive challenge 

Each event will have 3 courses (1.5km - 3km+) with winning times about 15/20 mins:

• Beginner (under 2km)
• Medium (2km-3km)
• Long (over 3km)

For those on the Long course at the last event on Tuesday 17 March, you have the opportunity to run the event as a 2-person relay. (it is also possible to run individually).

Free Coaching

Free coaching for those who are new, curious, or just need a refresher. Come along from 5pm for coaching sessions covering map symbols and colours, map orientation and course navigation.

Schools competition

In 2026 we are running an inter-school competition across all 5 events of the sprint series. There will be trophies for the top High School and top Primary/Intermediate School. 
All school-aged students that enter will be part of this competition, just choose the School category during entry and select your school from the list. Points are awarded to each student participating as follows:

• Participation points of 2 pts per student for those running individually.
  Student teams running together get 1 points per each Team. Teams must include the school name in their team name to get the points.
• For the High school competition:
  Placing points for top 10 placegetters in the Long course. 10 pts for 1st, 9pts for 2nd, ... to 1 pt for 10th.
  Placing points for top 5 placegetters in the Medium course. 5 pts for 1st, ... to 1 pt for 5th.
  Placegetters also get participation points.
  In the final race, the Long points are awarded as Double points for the High School Relay. 20 pts for 1st relay team, ... to 2 pts for 10th relay team.
• For the primary school competition:
  Placing points for top 10 placegetters in the Medium course. 10 pts for 1st, 9pts for 2nd, ... to 1 pt for 10th.
  Placing points for top 5 placegetters in the Beginner course. 5 pts for 1st, ... to 1 pt for 5th.
  Placegetters also get participation points.
  In the final race, the Medium course points are awarded as Double points for the Primary/Intermediate School Relay. 20 pts for 1st relay team, ... to 2 pts for 10th relay team.

Entries & Payments

Pre-entry is preferred for all PAPO events.
Enter Here: https://entero.co.nz/evento.php?eventName=sss-2026
Entries close for each event at midnight on the Sunday before the event.
Credit card payments can be made from the entry system (EnterO). 
PAPO members can use VIP points for payments. 

Any entry queries: Please email PAPOentries@gmail.com. 
Limited number of maps available for entry on the day. 

Costs:

• Adult: $12. 
• Junior/Student : $6. 
• Family maximum : $30. (where fmaily members are competing individually).
• Family Team: For families going round the course together or caregivers accompanying their children. Only the Juniors need to register & pay, the accompanying adults go free.
• Sportident hire: $2. SI Air hire $5 (only available with pre-entry).
• Series entry (all 5 races). Adult $50, Junior/Student $25, Family maximum $125. 

Event timetable: 

Registration: from 5pm.
Starts: 5.30pm- 6:30pm
Course closure 7pm.

For the last event, the 2-person sprint relay will have a mass start at 6pm.

Electronic punching: 

This event will use Sportident timing with Air mode enabled; standard SI sticks can be used, punch the controls in the usual manner.
Both standard SI sticks and SI Air+ are now available for hire. SI Air+ is only available as a pre-entry option.
Standard SI hire for $2 is recommended for those new to orienteering.  

Check the individual event information pages below for the exact location for each event.