Details of improvements being made to the 2010 iROC running/riding orienteering series are beginning to emerge as the organisers and principle sponsor inov-8 prepare for another series racing in the Durham Dales at the end of May.

iRoc combine running and MTBing bike, run and orienteer in six individual races over one weekend. There was good feedback from competitors for 2009 event, with the MTB enduro circuit being described as “the toughest Enduro circuit in the UK” by many competitors.

The weekend of racing kicks off with a night orienteering race and competitors will be able to start whenever they like after 10pm on the Friday night. The course will be open for four hours, allowing competitors travelling from further afield sufficient time to complete the first race. Best of all, Wilf’s Catering will be on hand providing free meals to all competitors as they finish each night race and also at the MTB Enduro. Wilf’s will also be providing food and refreshments throughout the weekend to competitors and spectators alike.

Saturday daytime will be given over to a series of fun “Come and Try It – Adventure Races” for kids and spectators, whilst the competitors get the opportunity to test ride the night MTB course. Saturday night marks a change in tempo for the competitors with the races coming thick and fast thereafter. The night Fell Race and MTB Time Trial promise to be visually spectacular experiences for both competitors and spectators in the valley, with the courses being way marked with hundreds of glowsticks and many kilometers of reflective barrier tape.

Sunday’s Orienteering Race will see competitors having to navigate through a complex labyrinth maze as they start and finish the race. The combination of the labyrinth maze, rapid fire block starts and gaffling, which all take place in the event village, will ensure an action packed experience for everyone.

The MTB courses for both the Night Time Trial and Enduro are being upgraded with a significant new section of uphill single track in the forest. The downhill single track section that literally induced nightmares for some competitors is also having a makeover, becoming faster, smoother and more rideable than before. The Enduro Race is being increased from four hours to six hours, but with a flexible start time, so that competitors can choose the amount of riding they want to do.

iROC will once again be held at Eastgate in the Durham Dales, a venue exclusive to this event. The area is surrounded by stunning moorland and on the boundary of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The site itself is largely hidden from view but is complete with a large quarry, steep hillsides with complex contour features, forest and a perfect event village location with self-contained campsite at the bottom of the valley.

With a prize giving ceremony after each race and an event village featuring a great campsite, fire barrels, BBQ’s, music, a bar, atmospheric lighting and activities for the kids, it’s a brilliant venue for a memorable weekend for all. Set in a beautiful and quiet area of the Durham Dales it will be well away from the Bank Holiday crowds.

Entries have just opened and are limited to 400 competitors. Find out more and enter at www.iroc-race.com.