British Orienteering and SportsShoes.com deliver Old Town Showdown

Old Town Showdown: The Event Redefining Urban Running, And Proving Orienteering Is the Next Big Thing

Edinburgh Old Town – 60 minutes to capture 20 checkpoints – the route and the pace?

Well – that was down to them..

Delivered by SportsShoes.com and British Orienteering as a spin-off of the Quid Games series, and with partnership and support from ASICS, GORE‑TEX® Brand, Kendal Mountain Festival Film Tour and Silva, the Showdown brought an entirely new flavour to the UK’s urban running scene.

It was fast, atmospheric, tactically demanding and unmistakably modern where the combination of navigation and physical challenge cut through the familiar patterns of traditional run events and introduced a competitive format that felt genuinely original.

The event integrated gear trials, prize checkpoints and hands‑on brand experiences that shaped the race for a new generation of adventure‑minded participants.

At the heart of the Old Town Showdown lay the defining characteristic, and unique selling point of orienteering itself: the complete unknown. Unlike any traditional running discipline, orienteering demands that participants step onto the start line with no fixed route, no predetermined course, and no idea what challenges await until the race begins.

The Showdown captured this essence perfectly. Competitors were given a map, a 60‑minute time limit, and no information about checkpoint locations until the clock started, instantly transforming the race into an exercise in strategy, adaptability and composure. The streets and alleyways of Edinburgh’s Old Town became a shifting puzzle in which every decision mattered.

The event demonstrated this format isn’t merely breaking the mould, it is meeting a very real demand for the “next new thing” in running.

Orienteering as an Inclusive, National Opportunity

British Orienteering remains committed to working openly with partners, brands and communities around the UK to explain, showcase and grow the sport. Orienteering is inherently inclusive open to all levels, ages and backgrounds and requires no prior experience (nor compass use!).

This combination of physical exertion, mental challenge and exploration fills a clear gap in the UK’s running landscape. Orienteering is emerging not as a niche alternative, but as the exciting, modern movement participants are actively seeking.

Kay Hawke, Partnerships Manager, British Orienteering, reflected on the significance of the event:
“This format is proving that orienteering has a powerful role to play in the future of UK active sport. We are ready and excited to work with partners and communities nationwide to showcase what orienteering can offer, because the demand for something new, inclusive and genuinely engaging is stronger than ever. Orienteering is stepping confidently into the mainstream, fresh, inclusive, engaging and ready for scale. The next chapter is beginning, and there is significant room at the table for those who want to help shape it.”

Ben Mounsey, Head of Marketing for Trails & Outdoors at SportsShoes, added:
“What we saw in Edinburgh was more than a race, it was a glimpse into the future. Orienteering’s blend of strategy, exploration and unpredictability resonates deeply with today’s runners. At SportsShoes, we believe this format has huge potential, and we’re committed to helping it thrive as one of the most exciting developments in the UK adventure, outdoor and running space.”

Image credit: Nathan Phua

Check out the SportsShoes.com RIA Foundation Member profile here  . 

Check out the British Orienteering RIA Alliance Partner profile here  .