GOLDEN LEAF ORIENTEERING FEST

including Ontario Cup #1

November 21-22, 2026

WATERDOWN AREA

Race Information

Welcome back to the Golden Horsehoe for another exciting weekend of orienteering! This was supposed to be 'one time off'

to get things going again after Covid but this will be our 5th year!

The races will take place one week later than in the past but everything else is the same meaning we have three events planned for the weekend.

This year we’re excited to explore some great new terrain! The weekend kicks off with the Classic at Mount Nemo, a compact

but detailed area featuring open woods, interesting terrain, trails and spectacular escarpment views—making it a highlight you

won’t want to miss. The Sprint at Joe Sams Park offers fast, mostly grass running with plenty of route-choice challenges, before

the weekend wraps up with the Ontario Cup at Rockcliffe Trails, featuring open woods, ridges, valleys and MTB trails below

the escarpment. Three events, three very different challenges, and one great GLOF weekend!

We will continue to post information as it becomes available so check in often!

All areas are suitable for the experienced runners and those new to the sport.

SATURDAY SOCIAL: We plan to continue with the tradition of having race analysis at a local waterhole.

More details will be published closer to date.

Classic Distance

DETAILS

LOCATION

Participants can choose from four categories in the classic distance event: novice, intermediate, short advanced, and long advanced.

The GLOF Classic heads to Mount Nemo! This compact but detailed area offers open woods, varied terrain, trails and plenty of navigation challenges, plus spectacular escarpment views from several lookouts. Come for the orienteering, but plan to stay a little longer and enjoy the scenery!

Sprint Distance

DETAILS

LOCATION

The sprint event will be at a city park in Burlington, with one course being offered.

Get ready to sprint at Joe Sams Park in Waterdown! With open fields, soccer pitches, baseball diamonds and a small forested section, this flat and fast area will put your speed and route choices to the test. It may not be the most technical terrain, but the course planner has plenty of challenges in store—just like last year’s Sprint!

Ontario Cup

DETAILS

LOCATION

Back by popular demand, the O-Cup features a mass start and courses are handicapped based on age and gender - link here for more info.

The GLOF weekend finishes with the Ontario Cup at Rockcliffe Trails! Head below the escarpment for open woods, ridges, valleys and a network of MTB trails that will make for a very different challenge from Saturday’s flatter events. Add the traditional Ontario Cup handicap system, and you have all the ingredients for an exciting finale to the weekend!

ENTRY FEES

REGULAR

By November 8
ADULT: $20 (sprint) / $30 ea. (Sat. Classic & Sun. O-Cup)

JUNIOR or STUDENT: $15 (sprint) / $20 ea. (Sat. Classic & Sun. O-Cup)

**ALL 3 RACES PACKAGES: $50 (juniors & students) / $75 (adults)

Gate fee for Mount Nemo CA is NOT included in the entry fee.

LATE

November 9 - 15
ADULT: $30 (sprint) / $40 ea. (Sat. Classic & Sun. O-Cup)

JUNIOR or STUDENT: $20 (sprint) / $25 ea. (Sat. Classic & Sun. O-Cup)

**ALL 3 RACES PACKAGES: $65 (juniors & students) / $105 (adults)

Gate fee for Mount Nemo CA is NOT included in the entry fee.

Entry fees include all race maps and a 2026 DontGetLost Adventure Running membership to cover race insurance. HST and the online transaction charge are not included. Refund policy: 80% of fees before November 12, no refunds after that time. Registration closes at midnight on November 12.

DontGetLost club members recieve a $10 discount per race. Check your email for discount codes!

WAIVER

Before you participate in any DontGetLost event, you'll need to sign our adult waiver. It is valid for the remainder of 2025 for all events hosted by DontGetLost Adventure Running in any region so you don't need to sign again if you did one of our events earlier in the year. A Parent or Guardian must sign the minor waiver for any participant who will be under the age of 18 on the day of an event. Thank you!