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Ottawa 200 MapRun

September 26th 2026 8:30am - 2:00pm

This year Ottawa turns 200! On the weekend of September 26th, Orienteering Ottawa is celebrating with the Ottawa 200 City Chase. On foot and/or bike, solo or in groups, and using Ottawa’s transit system, get ready to explore Ottawa’s parks and neighbourhoods like never before! Everyone is welcome.

Here are all the race details:

  • Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026.
  • Location:
  • There will be a mass start on Saturday morning at 9:00 am sharp for everyone interested in the group event.
  • After the start, the event will be unlocked in MapRun, and the maps will be available for download for individuals to participate on their own time. You must log into your Orienteering Ottawa account and go to the club MapRun page to download and print the event maps. At this point, the event will switch to a start/finish-where-you-like format (i.e., punching any control will start the clock, and that control will serve as your finish control as well).
  • 5 hours to find as many controls as you can.
  • Event timing, GPS checkpoints and results using MapRun.
  • Two race categories:
    • On Foot + transit system
    • On Bike + transit system
  • In celebration of Ottawa’s birthday, the transit system is free this weekend. There is no requirement to use the transit system for the race, and cyclists are free to park and move on foot as they wish. Orienteers can hop on and off trains or buses as they see fit.
  • There are 9 separate Orienteering Ottawa maps for this event spread around the city but in close proximity to O-Train Lines 1 and 2 and bus routes. An overview map of the race is also provided.
  • Maps are printed on 8.5" x 11" paper and range in scale from 1:4000 to 1:7500. Each map has 10 controls for a total of 90 controls.
  • 10 points per control for a maximum score of 900 points. Minus 5 points per minute that you are over the 5 hour limit.There are no bonus points for clearing the maps and finishing early.
  • All controls are accessible by bike, although depending on route choice, cyclists may have to carry up/down stairways and you may have to dismount momentarily to get a control to punch.
  • All routes will cross busy roads and streets. Please be careful!!
  • There are no water controls on the course; however, you’ll find stores and restaurants everywhere, so plan to carry water and snacks, or some money to purchase.
  • There will be no flags or streamers marking the controls, but your MapRun device (phone or GPS watch) should beep when you get close to the right spot.

Mass Start (Saturday, September 26, 2026, George C. Brown Arena):

  • Mass Start Registration: Please register using this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSehyC04FWdRhpX-vbb1n-NBKlHO0jZDLFGC4jLi0X1b4AmOGQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor
  • RSVP by Wednesday, September 23, 2026 if you are attending the mass start so that maps can be printed for the group event. Each map package is 5 pages so printing is expensive and there will not be extras!
  • Announcements / Instructions: 8:30 am
  • Map Handout and race planning: 8:40 am
  • Mass Start Time: 9:00 am
  • Finish: 2:00 pm
  • The event you download on your phone will not be immediately accessible. You will receive an unlock code with your paper map 20 minutes before the start to access the event.

MapRun7:

  • The race is being run with MapRun software. All participants should be on MapRun7 for this event, so please update your software: https://maprunners.weebly.com/
  • There are 3 ways to get to the event on your phone. The map is large so it will take a few minutes to download regardless of the method used. I suggest it be done at home rather than wait until the last minute:
    1. You can use the links below on your phone.
    2. Or, within the MapRun App, you can navigate to... Select Event --> Canada --> Ontario --> Ottawa --> Ottawa 200 City Chase and then either Foot or Cycle.
    3. There will also be a QR code on the paper map that you can scan at the event if you are not set up before arriving.
  • The event you download will not be immediately accessible. You will receive an unlock code with your paper map 20 minutes before the start to access the event. If you are not running in the group start, the MapRun event and printable maps will be available from 9 am on Saturday.
  • If you have not used MapRun before or have not configured it, it’s a good idea to validate the settings at home. The app needs to have permission to run in the background (including location services) and some phones will be set to go to sleep and turn off GPS. You can also test the app at home – select any of our events and Go to Start then go for a walk. When you wake up the phone, the GPS should still have a good lock and the track showing on the phone should not have straight lines.

Please feel free to send me a note if you have other questions, and don't forget to RSVP.

Sheldon Hancock

MapRun

MapRun events are orienteering events with a twist – no flags, just a paper map and your smart phone to let you know when you have "virtually" punched the control. You, however, will be using standard map and compass techniques to navigate to that location. you need to install the free app “MapRunF” on your iPhone or Android phone available from the approriate app store (make sure you select the “F” version – it is the latest). Once installed you will register with some basic information and you are ready to go – almost. Although technically you could use the tiny map on your phone, they are not really very readable and the aim is to have a paper map and compass, just like a regular event. The events may be point to point or score-O formats and will usually have a choice of courses. You should have some knowledge of orienteering as there will be no instruction provided and no safety net. You are running at your own risk and will be required to sign a waiver before obtaining the map.

Our MapRun events are for members only. To access these events you must be a club member and be signed in. If you are not a member, please see our membership page . If you are a member, sign-in or register for an account. (Registration requires a 'handshake' which may take a day to complete). If you have an account but have forgotten your user name or password, follow the links on the login dropdown. Once in the For Members section select MapRun IntroMapRun Intro for further information.

Location

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