I’m a trail runner.

I’ve followed blazes through parks of all sizes, flags and ribbon on races from 5k to 25k in rugged terrain and flour dots on hash runs on city streets and backcountry brush. But this past Sunday, I learned to follow a map and compass to choose my own route through the woods in the sport of orienteering.

Orienteering, called “The Thinking Sport,” began in Sweden in the early 1900’s as a navigation practice for military troops. It came to the USA in the 1960’s and has become an organized sport with Orienteering USA as its governing body.

Jim Wolfe of Western PA Orienteering Club says that while there are clubs throughout the country with large groups in the Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, DC areas, the Western PA group of 40-50 members is active in our area. Jim founded the Western PA Club in 2003 after years of serving as advisor to an orienteering club at IUP. In orienteering, participants are given a map with locations of checkpoints. The challenge is to locate each checkpoint and return to the start area as quickly as possible using navigational and athletic skills.

Sunday was Western PA Orienteering Club’s annual beginner class, an instruction in the basics of using a compass, reading a map and understanding how to identify and locate checkpoints based on those navigational skills. The class is an annual spring event held in North Park or, as this year, in Deer Lakes Park. I was one of about two dozen people of all ages listening intently to Joe Logan explain how to decipher the map legend, judge direction and estimate distance.

Joe, a veteran orienteer, walked us to the first few checkpoints, where we punched the proper place on our card, then turned us loose for our first unguided orienteering. The group split up in pairs or smaller groupings to plan the best routes to expeditiously locate the remaining 17 checkpoints on our maps in a time limit of about 90 minutes.

A half dozen scouts hiked toward their next goal together while my friend Ruth and I chose to jog to the same location. Others picked a different checkpoint as their focus. For this beginner exercise, order didn’t matter. There are two formats for orienteering events. In Cross Country, all checkpoints must be visited in order and the fastest time wins. Generally, and especially at Western PA events, there are five levels of difficulty from beginner to expert. Jim encouraged anyone who wants to try orienteering to attend one of these, like the club’s event at Keystone Park on May 11.

There’s always instruction for beginners and compasses for those who don’t own one. The other format is called rogaine, an endurance event for experienced orienteers where participants visit as many checkpoints as they can in an order of their choosing. The person who visits the most in the allotted time of 3, 6, or up to 24 hours wins. Jim says these are definitely not beginner friendly.

The next club rogaine is Babcock Bog and Boulder Challenge in Gallitzin State Forest on April 27. Ruth and I felt comfortable on our orienteering quest. Deer Lakes Park is our home turf, so we were in no danger of getting lost. But Ruth says she’d tried orienteering before and found it difficult to judge distances in unfamiliar territory. Jim laughed when I asked if they’d ever lost anyone. He says that participants must sign in when they return.

The only time people were truly missing is a group which decided to abandon the event without telling anyone and volunteers searched for hours before realizing it. He says that expert orienteers seek out events in new and unfamiliar territory. It’s the challenge of mind and body that makes orienteering fun.

If you’d like to try orienteering, visit www.wpoc.org for information and schedule of Western PA events and details about fixed courses in parks in the Pittsburgh or Johnstown areas. Dress as you would for trail running or hiking, bring a compass if you have one, and prepare yourself for the challenge of “The Thinking Sport.”

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Tapped for Sap 25k Trail Race, Beaver Falls. Challenging loop on Brady’s Run Park trails. 3riversoutdoor.com/blogs/events/tapped-for-sap-25k

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Dirty Kiln Half Marathon and 10k, Hollidaysburg. Run on Canoe Creek State Park trails. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hollidaysburg/DirtyKiln

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Dyngus Day Dash 5k Run/Walk, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. Post-race polka party. 412-327-6074 or secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=138563

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Boston Trail Half Marathon and 5k, Elizabeth. Run on Youghiogheny River section of Great Allegheny Passage. 412-780-7802 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/ElizabethTownship/BostonTrail12Marathonand5KRunWalk

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Helicon Brewing Food Truck 5k and 1 Mile Walk, Oakdale. Flat out-and-back on Panhandle Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Oakdale/HeliconBrewingFoodTruck5K

Sunday, 3 p.m.: Run or Walk for Someone Special, Sykesville. 5-mile race or 1-mile walk. 814-591-6800 or www.jcarc.org/events-1

April 20, 9:15 a.m.: Whole Life Services Pace at the Point 5k Run and 1 Mile Walk, Hermitage. Held at Linden Pointe. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hermitage/WholeLifeServicesPaceatthePoint

April 20, 10 a.m.: Phenomenal Hope 5k, Pittsburgh. Run at Riverfront Park on Pittsburgh’s Northshore. Discount for ages 6-12, free for kids under 5. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/phenomenalhope5k

April 21, 9 a.m.: Run to Breathe Half Marathon & 5k, Portersville. Run on Moraine State Park paved trail. Finisher medals to all half marathoners. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/RunToBreatheHalfMarathon5K?rsus=100-200-7bd9093b-51c4-4f64-af0d-e4d0f9e46640

April 27, 9 a.m.: 12th Annual Run for the Titan Trail 5k Run/ 1 Mile Walk/ Tot Run, Glenshaw. Run through Shaler neighborhoods. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Glenshaw/TitanTrail5K

April 28, 9 a.m.: ATP 5k Run, Walk and Ruck, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. 724-967-1628 or caleb@adventurestraining.org

April 28, 9 a.m.: Can’t Sit Still Run/ Walk, Carnegie. 5k or 1 mile run/ walk on Panhandle Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Carnegie/CantSitStillRunWalk

April 28, 9 a.m.: 2.2 or 4.4 mile Tutu Run, Erie. Tutus encouraged but not required. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Erie/ERCPokerRun

May 4-5: Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend, Pittsburgh. Running and walking events for all: Pet Walk, Toddler Trot, Kids Marathon and 5k on May 4, Marathon, Marathon Relay and Half Marathon on May 5. www.thepittsburghmarathon.com/races

May 8, 6:45 p.m.: Muskie 5k Mini Marathon and 2-Mile Walk, Jamestown. Run at Pymatuning State Park’s Main Beach. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Jamestown/Muskie5kand2MileWalk

May 11, 6 a.m.: Glacier Ridge 50-Mile and 50k Ultramarathons, 50-Mile 5-person relay and 20-Mile Trail Run/Endurance Hike, Portersville. Out and back on trails in Moraine State Park and Jennings Environmental Center. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/GlacierRidgeTrailUltramarathonTrailRace?rsus=100-200-6dff5639-1ebf-4085-b431-3ce41e70b137

May 11, 9 a.m.: Run Like a Mother 5k Run/ Walk, Portersville. Starts at Lakeview Beach Road in Moraine State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/RunLikeaMother5kMoraineStatePark

May 11, 11 a.m.: Western PA Orienteering, New Alexandria. Cross country orienteering event in Keystone State Park for beginner through expert. www.wpoc.org, 814-255-6606 or jlwolfe@atlanticbb.net

South Park Half Marathon, March 2: Troy Reinsel, 1st Overall M, 1:19:38; Ann Cook, 1st Overall W, 1:32:41; Beatrice Kolesar, 3rd Overall W, 1:35:09; Jack Kelley, 1st Masters M, 1:29:53; TJ Stevenson, 1st 30-39 M, 1:25:01; Jason Sittler, 3rd 40-49 M, 1:40:08; Peter Morgan, 1:55:33

Ellport Boro Community 5k Run, March 2: Drew Steffler, 1st Overall M, 16:34; Dean Banko, 2nd Overall M, 18:21; Ron Liscio, Jr., 3rd Overall M, 18:56; Amy O'Donnell, 1st Overall W, 19:19; Matt Bernardi, 1st 45-49 M, 20:06; Carter Shandick, 1st 20-24 M, 22:23; Joseph Molinaro, 2nd 60-64 M, 22:40; John Armstrong, 2nd 55-59 M, 22:45; Jim Gallagher, 3rd 55-59 M, 23:09; Vanessa Johnson, 1st 35-39 W, 23:35; Audrey Shandick, 1st 20-24 W, 24:43; Richard Fento, 3rd 35-39 M, 25:17; Dean Rowland, 2nd 70-74 M, 26:46; Sean Riley, 2nd 30-34 M, 28:38; Angelica Mason, 3rd 45-49 W, 29:39; Patricia Neubert, 1st 70-74 W, 29:56; Paul Johnson, 2nd 75-79 M, 30:15; David Adams, 3rd 75-79 M, 30:50; Robert Sands, 1st 80+ M, 34:52; Valerie Sands, 2nd 75-79 W, 39:37; Mitch Radella, 25:13; Tony Sunseri, 32:23; Shawna Hardy-Emerson, 32:56; Brandy Kight, 55:02

Ellport Boro Community 5k Walk, March 2: Brenda Colvin, 1st Overall W, 35:10; Rodney Daum, 1st Overall M, 38:08

Trout Island Tromp, March 9: Jason McDowell, 1st Overall M, 28:45; Leslie Kramer, 1st Overall W, 33:39; John Armstrong, 35:03, 3rd 50-59 M, Heidi Struble, 53:13

Shamrock ‘n’ Run 5k, March 9: Travis Hershberger, 1st Overall M, 18:37; Elaine Reedy, 1st Overall W, 19:54; Jake Szul, 1st 19 & Under M, 20:29; Joe McDaniel, 1st 30-34 M, 20:32; Jonathan Sosa, 1st 25-29 M, 23:38; Mitch Radella, 1st 55-59 M, 25:30; Alexandria Settle, 1st 19 & Under W, 26:11; Mark McDaniel, 1st 65-69 M, 27:15; Trish Olkowski, 2nd 55-59 W, 27:45; Anthony Sunseri, 2nd 70+ M, 32:19; Lisa Jamison, 2nd 50-54 W, 33:20; Jenny Day, 3rd 50-54 W, 44:59; Mike Adams, 2nd 60-64 M, 50:53; Anthony Gahler, 50:51; Debbie Jamison, 50:51

Butler’s Best Buddies Easter Egg Dash 5k, March 23: Logan Rogers, 1st Overall M, 17:36; Caitlin Snyder, 1st Overall W, 22:56; Troy Reinsel, 1st 20-39 M, 17:48; Mateo Saspe, 1st 15-19 M, 19:20; Silvio G. Andreassi, 2nd 15-19 M, 19:35; Gavin Gardner, 3rd 15-19 M, 20:19; Jim Haughey, 1st 40-59 M, 20:37; Camden Schaefer, 1st 14 & Under M, 20:54; Keenan Barlow, 2nd 20-39 M, 22:01; Matthew Schaefer, 2nd 40-59 M, 23:16; Brent Baldauf, 3rd 40-59 M, 23:30; Lian Kovach, 1st 14 & Under M, 23:45; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 1st 40-59 W, 23:58; Mandy Jockel, 1st 20-39 W, 25:18; Casey Clouse, 1st 15-19 W, 25:30; Luke Robbins, 3rd 14 & Under M, 26:11; Tricia Schaefer, 2nd 40-59 W, 27:11; Riley Carrel, 2nd 15-19 W, 27:45; Henley Graham, 1st 14 & Under W, 28:35; Tasha Ponteous, 3rd 40-59 W, 31:26; Emily Clouse, 2nd 14 & Under W, 33:10; Campbell Clouse, 3rd 15-19 W, 33:11; Anthony Sunseri, 1st 60+ M, 34:06; Shealynn Cook, 3rd 14 & Under W, 42:35; Seth Baker, 23:37; Arthur Boring, 24:00; Mitch Radella, 25:18; Jon Kovach, 25:20; Silvio Andreassi, 25:41; Dakota Sexton, 25:41; Jon Lauer, 27:06; Liam Baldauf, 28:50; Christian Kremer, 31:22; Chip Carrel, 32:33; Rachel Cunningham, 32:36; Kimberly Miller, 32:36; Lori Haughey, 33:02 Jesse Binus, 33:59; Abram Binus, 34:23; Luke Bender, 35:35; Travis Bender, 35:36; Cayden Quinn, 36:14; Erin Kohlmeyer, 37:36; Jasper Schnelle, 37:50; Abigail Haughey, 41:09; Arkin Cook, 42:36; Virginia Neff, 42:40; Sarah Dailey, 43:22; Mike Dailey, 43:23; Adin Kovach, 46:23; Melanie Kovach, 46:44; Tammy Steele, 51:12

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle