Club plots course for Libertyville

It sounds like a seminar in corporate relations, but the orienteering event planned Sunday in Libertyville is definitely not a suit and tie affair.

"It's a very athletic event. It's basically cross-country without a known-in-advance route," explained Joe Sackett, secretary for the Chicago Area Orienteering Club.

Sackett, a computer consultant and Libertyville resident, has been busy with compass and clip board creating detailed maps of Adler and Butler Lake parks that contestants will use to navigate.

Map symbols represent things participants will encounter along the way -- buildings, pavement, swamps, contours, types of foliage and so on. Competitors will use the map and compass to find their way through unfamiliar terrain as quickly as possible.

But speed isn't required and the activity is appealing to non-athletes as well. About half the participants in an event are laymen. Groups and families also can compete.

"Navigation is a fantastically interesting challenge whether or not you're running at 5K speed," Sackett said. "Some people don't really care -- they just walk around the woods."

Registration at Adler begins at 9:30 a.m. and the sprints are 10 to 11 a.m. Starts for the second sprint at Butler Lake are noon to 1 p.m. Meets are informal and registration is not required.

One key to the navigation are the strategically placed "controls" along the course. Participants insert radio frequency identification chips at these checkpoints, allowing organizers to record and verify individual times.

Those who want to participate but don't have the equipment can rent it for $5. The race fee is $8 for non-members. Beginners can get free instruction.

The club was chartered 20 years ago, but has kept a relatively low profile.

"In the U.S. at least, it's a fringe sport," Sackett said.

The club has held more than a dozen events this year, mostly in forest preserves. Holding them on shorter courses in parks is a way to generate more public awareness for the activity.

Elite competitors may finish the Libertyville courses in under 15 minutes, while experienced participants may take a half-hour or more. Between 50 and 120 participants are expected.

Visit www.chicago-orienteering.org.