Photo shoot: Rugged runners of forest and fell
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE fast and physical sport of orienteering is a world away from the memories many of us hold from school trips to the countryside and Scout camp. In short, orienteering is navigating through moor and forest terrain between set marked points using a special map.
Choose your own route, and the fastest competitor to compete the course wins. On paper, simple enough, but orienteering is extremely challenging. However, its attraction lies in the combination of the stunning places runners get to visit, the mental contest and the exercise.
The sport caters for virtually all ages and ability, from the elite runners who last week tackled a 13km course in the Lake District, which involved 2,000ft of climb through difficult, wooded terrain in under 80 minutes, to the seven to 70 year olds who compete every week. It is a growing sport, more than 1,100 events were held in the UK last year, and there are high hopes of inclusion in the 2004 Olympics.
The World Cup came to Lake District for three races, attracting more than 200 competitors from 29 nations, including Denmark's Carsten Jorgensen, the European cross-country champion, who ignores lucrative opportunities in athletics because "orienteering's more fun."
Copies of these photographs - and others by The Independent's sports photographers, David Ashdown, Peter Jay and Robert Hallam, can be ordered by telephoning 0171 293 2534.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY RUI VIERA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments