The beautiful Leckhampton Hill that overlooks Cheltenham comes into its own at around this time of year and it will be even more popular than usual on Saturday 11th May.

That’s because the hill will host a competition that could attract as many as a couple of hundred people.

It’s a race but there’s a bit more to it than that because it’s an event organised by the North Gloucestershire Orienteering Club.

Competitors will be armed with a map and a compass and will have to navigate a route around a course which comprises some 15 control points.

“It’s great fun,” said Greg Best, who is the North Gloucestershire Orienteering Club’s fixtures secretary.

“It’s an individual race and we have up to six different courses for different abilities and different ages.

“Orienteering is an exciting and challenging sport that exercises the mind and body. The aim is to complete the course in the quickest time, choosing your own best route.”

Best, 57, who still competes himself, reckons the winner of the longest course – some eight kilometres – will complete the distance in around an hour.

People of all ages compete from eight to 80 and they can run it or walk it, depending on how competitive they want to be.

The event on 11th May is open to anyone. For more details, visit www.ngoc.org.uk