GMU Staff Member Wins Polish Orienteering Marathon
A member of staff in the GMU Department of Navigation, Dr Piotr Kopacz took first place in the 100 km Polish Orienteering Marathon Championship, which took place during the Harpagan-62 Extreme Orientation Race in Bory Tucholskie on 14th-15th October 2022.
During the Marathon, checkpoints are located around the area and marked on two maps on a scale of 1:500000 given to competitors a few minutes before the start of the race. Participants then compete against one another to reach each checkpoint in the quickest time possible. The time limit for the completion of the entire route with a nominal length of 100 km is 24 hours. Competitors are required to plan their own route by determining the order in which to pass each checkpoint, considering the terrain on the potential routes. The race begins at 20:30 no matter the weather conditions; the route consisting of two 50-kilometre loops. A large part of the distance is covered at night. A further challenge this year was posed by dense mist.
Dr Kopacz found all 26 checkpoints, covering a distance of 115 km in 14h 39m.
