Get ready to explore Salford with a great selection of sprint races based at Salford University and the surrounding areas. Having been the venue for the Euro City Race in 2024 and Salford Urban event last year, we return with a sprint format for everyone to get stuck into.

This event also sees the the best of our GB Team battle it out in a selection race ahead of the World Championships in Italy, so it’s all to play for.

The selection races will be underway first before you can challenge yourself on any of the courses available, how would you compare on the selection race courses?

Final details now available: Salford Event Final Details 6th June

Final details last updated 3pm 4th June.

Elite race start times: Elite start times Salford 2026

Date of Event

Saturday 6th June 2026

Location

Salford University, Salford

Event Centre address: Sports Centre, University of Salford, The Crescent, M5 4QL

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Please note there will be instructions to get to the event centre via the road to the west of the campus to avoid walking through the competition area.

Parking

There is ample parking at the university. All participants use Delaney Building car park please.
The sports centre is just across the road.
If Delaney is full we will direct you further down the road to Lowry car park – its only a few
minutes away.

Participants are not permitted to park in the Salford Museum and Art Gallery car park on the day of the event as this needs to remain available for museum visitors.

There are also excellent public transport links, with numerous buses dropping off outside of the university and Salford Cresent Train station is also located on site with regular links to the main stations of Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria.

For information regarding travelling to the University please refer to the University’s travel page.

Terrain

A mainly flat area. But with plenty of route choices throughout. Trainers are recommended.

The area under embargo can be found Here

Map

All courses will use a 1:4000 scale map. Maps were created in September 2024 and updated in 2025 and 2026 by Dean Thetford and Stephen Richards.

Previous events here can be found on Routegadget

Facilities

There are toilets, changing rooms and showers available at the sports centre. These are the facilities for the main sports centre and will not be exclusive to this event. Therefore under 18’s should not use the showers.

Any bags can be left at registration at your own risk.

The Salford Museum and Art Gallery located within the campus has a cafe which will be open on the day of the event, there is also a shop onsite.

Timings

GB Selection Races 13:30 – 14:30

Open Races 14:45 – 16:15

Courses close at 16:45

Please note the Sport Centre closes promptly at 17:00 and all equipment must be out of the building by this time.

Elite race start times: Elite start times Salford 2026

Start and Finish

There will be a punching Start and Finish. 

Courses

The courses available are below. Finishing touches are still being made to each course and full distance/ climb is subject to final controlling.

Courses 1 and 2 are for athletes who meet the following criteria:

• Are aiming for selection for the GB team for the World Orienteering Championships in Italy, and who declared their eligibility by the deadline of 30^th April
• Athletes who have been selected (or are reserves) for EYOC / JWOC / WUOC and are using this race as part of their preparations
• Non-GB athletes who have already been selected to run at the World Orienteering Championships in Italy, or who have competed in international sprint races in 2025 or 2026.

Other athletes must enter the open races, or contact Graham Gristwood (ggristwood@britishorienteering.org.uk) for clarification.

For the open races, participants can pick any course.  U16’s intending to run unaccompanied on the course can only enter courses 5 or 6.

GB Selection Race (applicable athletes only, see above)

1. M21E ,
2. W21E,

Open courses for all (note course 3 & 4 are the same as the elite courses)

3. Long open

4. Medium open

5. Short open (U16s allowed)

6. Short easy (U16s allowed)

The Si boxes will be set in Contactless mode for those with “Air” dibbers however all competitors must punch at both the Start and Finish.

Registration, download and the finish

Registration and download will be located in the Sports Centre, main hall first floor balcony. This will be open from 12:45 and close at 16:45.

Enter the main sports centre turn left and up the stairs.

The toilets and changing rooms are on the right as you enter the sports centre.

Please note the Sport Centre closes promptly at 17:00 and all equipment must be out of the building by this time.

The start

The warm up area and start location will be confirmed in the final details.

Quarantine details for Courses 1 and 2 will also be confirmed in the final details.

Entries and Fees

Pre entries are available now through Fabian4.

Pre-entries closing at midnight on Sunday 31st May. Limited entry on the day will be available.

Senior (BOF member) £10

Senior (non- member) £12

Juniors (BOF and non-members) £5

Late entries

Senior (BOF member) £12

Senior (non- member) £14

Juniors (BOF and non-members) £6

SI card hire for all courses 50p.

SELOC members receive a £1 discount for any course.

Volunteers also receive a code to get 50% off your entry. If you can volunteer please contact Caroline Barcham on c.barcham@sky.com

First Aid

A first Aid kit will be available but competitors should try to treat any injuries themselves with guidance from a first aider if necessary. Ask at Download.

The nearest Hospital is Salford Royal Hospital. Directions to this Hospital will be available at Download for anyone needing to go there. Address: Stott Ln, Salford M6 8HD approximately 3 miles from the campus.

Officials

Planner – Jonny Crickmore (SYO)

Organiser – Caroline Barcham (SELOC)

Controller – John Kewley (MDOC)