Competition Instructions - Halikko Relay

XXXVIII HALIKKO RELAY AND XIV CHILDREN'S HALIKKO RUN

Saturday 26 September 2026 in Salo

Competition Director: Jarmo Reiman 040-3556 221
Course Setter:       Tuomo Mäkelä
Course Controller:   Matti Sipponen, Paimion Rasti
Results Service:     Risto Kivinen, Result Fellows - Tuloshemmot

Specific instructions for the Halikko Relay

EMIT PUNCHING

The EMIT punching system will be used in the competition. Each team in the Halikko Relay must use either 15 EMIT cards (one for each runner) or 8 EMIT cards. If a team uses 8 cards, the runners on the final two legs (legs 14 and 15) must each use their own card. The remaining legs use the other cards in rotation, leg by leg. EMIT card numbers are registered in the system for each leg at the start gate (results service tent). The same card cannot be used by two different teams or in both the Halikko Relay and the Children's Halikko Run.

TEAM RUNNING ORDER

The team running order must be submitted through the Finnish Orienteering Federation's IRMA service by 18:00 on Friday 25 September 2026. EMIT card numbers do not need to be submitted because they will be registered in the system at the start gate during the competition.

Any last-minute changes to the team running order must be entered into the system at Info by 10:30. Team materials (competition bibs, EMIT backup patches, a running order form and any rental cards) will be distributed club by club at Info to teams that have submitted their running order. NOTE! The barcode sticker on the competition bib must not be removed! Teams must bring their own safety pins for attaching the bibs.

Each team must return its rented EMIT cards to Info after the competition. A fee of 70 euros will be charged for a lost rental card.

LEGS AND DISTANCES

The distances include 500 metres of marked route. Forking is used on all legs.

Teams in the competition class must include 5 women, and the runners on legs 1 and 15 must meet the class requirement shown above. For legs 2-5, each team must have 12 orienteers who meet the following class requirements:

• 3 unrestricted runners
• 2 D-class orienteers
• 2 orienteers in -H18 / H45- / D
• 3 orienteers in -H15 / H55- / -D18 / D40-
• 2 orienteers in -H13 / H65- / -D15 / D50-

In the open class, the first-leg restriction is the same as in the competition class (D, -H16, H50-), but there are no other leg restrictions.

Descriptions of the technical difficulty levels are available on the Finnish Orienteering Federation's website: Technical difficulty levels of orienteering courses on a colour scale

COMPETITION FORMAT

One orienteer runs the first leg and sends three orienteers out simultaneously on the second leg, on courses 2A, 2B and 2C. The running order submitted in advance must be followed to ensure that the EMIT system and results are correct. The number on each runner's competition bib must correspond to the running order. The course designation is printed on the back of the map (2A, 2B or 2C).

On legs 2-5, three orienteers from each team run simultaneously, each on their own course. Each incoming orienteer sends out one of the runners on the next leg. The runner on leg 14 may start only after all three runners on leg 5 have reached the changeover.

START

The mass start is at 11:00. EMIT card check-in is available before the mass start of the Children's Halikko Run. Check-in for the second-leg runners' cards begins immediately after the mass start. Please arrive at the start gate in good time to avoid congestion.

The start area can only be accessed through the results service tent, which serves as the start gate. A competitor who does not pass through the start gate for check-in may be disqualified. After check-in, EMIT cards are reset under supervision (four flashes indicate that the card is working).

CHANGEOVERS

There is a finish punch on every leg. After punching at the finish, competitors must hand their competition map to an official.

The first-leg runner collects three maps for the second leg from the map stand and takes them to the orienteers waiting at the changeover fence. The second-leg runners check the back of the maps to select the correct map according to the running order (2A, 2B or 2C). This ensures that each runner receives the correct leg result.

On legs 2-5, each incoming competitor takes the top map for the next leg bearing their team's number from the map stand, proceeds to the changeover fence and hands the map to the next runner.

The first two orienteers on leg 5 each take a coloured map holder—one yellow and one red—from the map stand instead of a map and take it to the runner on leg 14. Only the third runner on leg 5 takes the map for leg 14 from the map stand and hands it to the runner waiting at the changeover fence. The runner on leg 14 must hand the coloured map holders to the official stationed along the route to the K-point.

A team that takes the wrong map will be disqualified. A team whose map has been taken by someone else will receive a new map from an official at the end of the map stand nearest the changeover fence, but no time compensation will be given. Outgoing runners should always check that they have the correct map! Each team is responsible for taking the correct map even if one of its runners is a lap behind!

The runners of a disqualified team may continue the relay normally if the team is more than 20 minutes behind the leading team. If a disqualified team is less than 20 minutes behind the leaders, it will be held at the next changeover until the gap to the leading team is at least 20 minutes.

NOTE! After completing their leg, runners must leave the changeover area through the EMIT checkpoint.

Each team may have one team official in the changeover area to assist outgoing competitors.

FINISH

The order of the teams is determined at the finish line. The anchor runners punch after crossing the finish line, thereby recording the team's finishing time. In sprint finishes, the finish judge determines the placings at the finish line, and the times are adjusted to match the finishing order regardless of the punching order. The map must be handed to an official.

RESTART FOR THE FINAL LEGS

The changeover will close at approximately 15:20; the exact time will be announced over the public-address system. The restart for the final legs will take place from the map stand immediately after the changeover closes. The finish will close at 17:30.

Specific instructions for the Children's Halikko Run

DISTANCE

The competition distance is 3.7 km, including 500 metres of marked route. The expected winning time is 24 minutes.

START

The mass start is at 10:40. EMIT card check-in at the start gate begins at 10:15. All competitors must pass through the start gate on their way to the start. Competitors may look at their own competition map one minute before the start.

COMPETITION BIBS AND BACKUP PATCHES

Competition bibs are used in the event. The bibs and backup patches are available next to the Info tent. No loose control descriptions are provided.

FINISH

The competitors' placings are determined at the finish line. After crossing the finish line, competitors punch to record their finishing time. In sprint finishes, the finish judge determines the placings at the finish line, and the times are adjusted to match the finishing order regardless of the punching order. Maps will not be collected at the finish.

Note! Competitors in the Children's Halikko Run may also compete in the Halikko Relay.

General competition instructions

TERRAIN

The terrain is characterised by separate areas of steep hills, with a maximum height difference of more than 60 metres. The terrain near the competition centre is less steep and has a moderate number of paths and tracks.

Read more about the terrain in the course setter's notes.

MAP

The map scale is 1:7500 on legs 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Halikko Relay and in the Children's Halikko Run. On the other Halikko Relay legs, the scale is 1:10 000. The contour interval is 5 m. Originally mapped by Eero-Antti Lonka and Vesa Elovaara. Updated in 2026 by Eero-Antti Lonka. The map is A4 size and is supplied in a plastic cover. Maps will not be collected at the finish of the Children's Halikko Run.

CONTROLS

The controls are marked in the terrain with orange-and-white control flags and are equipped with EMIT punching units. Competitors must punch so that the punching unit leaves a mark on the EMIT backup patch. Control descriptions are printed on the map. Control codes are not printed next to the control numbers on the map. Some controls are close together in the terrain, so check the code carefully.

FORBIDDEN AREAS

Areas shown with the private-area map symbol (520) are out of bounds. Parts of the boundaries of these areas have been made clearer with red-and-yellow out-of-bounds tape.

TRAFFIC DURING THE COMPETITION

Hämeenkyläntie runs along the southern edge of the competition terrain and carries a small amount of through traffic. Running on the road is permitted, and some Halikko Relay competitors may use it as a route choice. Please take care.

SPECTATOR CONTROL

All legs visit a spectator control south of the competition centre and then follow a marked route past the competition centre. The locations of the spectator control and the marked route are shown on the competition centre map.

GPS TRACKING

GPS tracking is used in the Children's Halikko Run and on legs 3, 4, 5, 14 and 15 of the Halikko Relay.

All competitors in the Children's Halikko Run will carry a GPS device. Participants should arrive at check-in in good time, as queues may form while the devices are being distributed. Competitors may decline to use a GPS device.

The Halikko Relay teams selected for GPS tracking will be announced on the Halikko Relay website by Friday 25 September. The organiser may change the teams being tracked during the relay. Refusing to carry a GPS device will result in disqualification.

Competitors receive their GPS devices at check-in. The GPS device must remain switched on from check-in until the team returns it after the EMIT checkpoint. The organiser provides GPS vests, but competitors are encouraged to use their own if available. The vests can be collected next to the results service tent and should be collected in advance.

INTERMEDIATE TIMES AND COMPETITION COVERAGE

GPS tracking and video from the terrain will be shown on the screen at the competition centre. Competitors who have not yet started may watch the live broadcast. GPS tracking for the Children's Halikko Run will be available for public viewing in the GPS tracking web application as soon as the race starts. GPS tracking for the Halikko Relay will become public once the anchor runners of the leading teams have entered the terrain.

USE OF PERSONAL GPS DEVICES AND HEAD CAMERAS

Recording GPS devices without a map display may be used. Recorded GPS data must not be used to assist a competitor's performance. Route data recorded during the Halikko Relay may be uploaded to internet services once the GPS tracking links have been made public, or at the latest after the restart for the final legs. There are no restrictions on the use of GPS data once a competitor has completed the Children's Halikko Run.

Head cameras may be used. Recorded material must not be used to assist competitors during the competition. Videos may be published after the restart for the final legs.

PARKING

Parking is located in the partially developed residential area of Viitanlaakso. The walking distance by road to the competition centre is no more than 1.5 km. There is no parking fee.

SERVICES

Washing facilities, toilets and first aid are available at the competition centre. A mixed-gender sauna is also available in connection with the washing facilities at no additional charge. Swimwear must be worn in the sauna.

The locations of these facilities are shown on the competition centre map and on the signpost.

There are no refreshment points in the terrain. The only first aid point is located at the competition centre.

MAP RETURN

The maps will be returned club by club at Info after the restart for the final legs, beginning at approximately 15:30.

PRIZE-GIVING

The prize-giving for the Children's Halikko Run will take place at approximately 11:40. The top six competitors in both classes will receive prizes.

The prize-giving for the Halikko Relay will begin at approximately 15:40. The top six teams in the competition class will receive prizes. One prize will be awarded in a draw in the open class.

LIVELOX

Livelox will be available after the competition.

LOST PROPERTY

Enquiries about lost property can be made at Info during the competition or by calling 0440-220765 (Anu Reiman) after the competition.

OPEN COURSES

The courses are 2.9 km (technical difficulty: orange) and 4.9 km (technical difficulty: violet). The map scale is 1:7500 and the contour interval is 5 m. Map sales for the open courses begin at Info at 11:15. The fee is 15 €, or 8 € for participants under 18. EMIT punching is used, and rental cards cost 4 €. The start is open until 13:30. The open-course finish closes at 15:00.

Before starting, participants must register at the open-course finish. The finish is approximately 100 metres from the signpost (see the competition centre map), and the start is another 150 metres from there. Open-course participants must not run into the Halikko Relay finish. Those who abandon their course must also report to the open-course finish afterwards. Everyone participates in the open courses at their own risk. Control descriptions are printed on the maps; no loose descriptions are provided.

EVENT PHOTOGRAPHS

Photographs will be taken of competitors and spectators. The event organiser will have full rights to use these photographs freely. Anyone who wishes to have an identifiable photograph of themselves removed from public distribution may contact the event organiser.

GOOD LUCK IN THE COMPETITION, FROM Angelniemen Ankkuri