AROUND 300 people took part in the annual York City Orienteering Race, organised by Eborienteers.

The Bank Holiday event attracted local runners, walkers, families, and orienteers from across the country.

Armed with a map and compass, competitors navigated their way between a series of checkpoints, taking care to choose the most efficient routes between control flags along the streets and snickleways of York city centre.

This year’s race saw competitors on the longer courses sprinting around the grounds of St Peter’s School before racing through Museum Gardens to complete the final legs around the city centre.

The school grounds proved challenging for even the most experienced orienteers while the longer legs through the city centre gave the faster runners an opportunity to pull ahead with good route-planning essential.

The junior courses were staged entirely within the pedestrianised areas of the city.

Many of those taking part were 'first-time' orienteers who used the event to get a new perspective of the city.

The York City Race is organised by Eborienteers (EBOR), the orienteering club for York and Ryedale.

Assembly for the event took place in St Sampson’s Square and the spectacle of runners sprinting in to finish, dodging around shoppers and tourists, drew plenty of attention.

EBOR is a friendly club who are always happy to welcome newcomers to their events.

No experience is necessary, as there is always a beginner’s course, and non- members are invited to take part.

Forthcoming events in EBOR’s summer evening series will be held at Wheldrake Woods (June 7), Earswick Village Hall (June 14) and the Knavesmire (June 21).

More details are available at www.eborienteers.org.uk