Celebrating 40 years, this legendary Wairarapa / Wellington long-distance event has evolved from the Winter Classic to the Spring Classic and even the Christmas Covid Classic in 2020. Now renamed the Wayne Cretney Classic, it honours Wairarapa club founder and president Wayne Cretney. The Blodslitet-style event delivers multiple relay loops, with a 3-hour rogaine also featuring in recent years.

Expect new maps, challenging terrain, route-choice analysis and plenty of classic humour. Blood, sweat and tears included! The date is 29 November and it will be hosted by the Wairarapa and Wellington clubs on a new map at Dunvegan / Trimble Forest, Kiriwhakapa. Situated 15km north of Masterton on 5sq km of intricate river flats (similar to the 2026 national relays on Riverlands). Entries for the event will be via the Wellington webpage: https://entries.wellingtonorienteering.org.nz/ 

Bryan Teahan has created a memorial booklet celebrating the 40 years of the Classic –l enjoy reading some classic orienteering history.