Age Class

Many orienteering competitions award points or trophies according to the age class of the competitor. This is expressed as “M” or “W” (for men and women) followed by the age group. This is where it gets a little bit complicated…

For anyone whose 21st-34th birthday falls in the current calendar year, you will be M21 or W21.

For anyone older than this, the age classes fall in five-year bands, so M35 or W35 if your birthday this calendar year is between your 35th-39th, M40 or W40 for 40th-44th and so on.

For anyone younger than M21/W21 (classed as “juniors”), the age groups are in two-year bands and reflect the maximum age, so… M20 or W20 if your 19th or 20th birthday falls this year, M18 or W18 if your 17th or 18th birthday falls this year, and so on.

All of this means that – unless your birthday falls on New Year’s Day – your orienteering age class changes before (probably months before) your “big birthday”!

If you’re not sure, just ask at Registration – only please don’t be offended if they ask how old you are!