Discussion: Actually...

I don't think you did anything wrong...

"Wrong" would have been taking a swing at him [edit], or verbally assaulting him with an obscenity-laced tirade..

So, what did Kathleen say to you? I would hope she would realize it was an overreaction on his part. Whoever he was...

Of course, he did something wrong. He didn´t bother to learn his damn lines. Orienteering leaves no room for improvisation.

Nice actions in US forests btw, longing to be join the fun at NAOC 2016

Sounds like an adventure runner ... or at least someone relatively new to orienteering. I can't imagine any of the regulars acting that way. We all realize that people seem to be following at times just because of the reality of the terrain and course. The guy seems unreasonable.

I think you reacted as you did because his accusation was so out of left field and unexpected. It's not unusual for us to react badly to something like that. You tried to make peace at the finish (I'm not sure I'd have done that; good for you). He seems hardheaded & perhaps a bit misguided about how orienteering works.
I could be totally wrong about this if the person was an experienced orienteer (in which case ... I dunno. Bad day for him?)

I agree, a yucky taste, hopefully enough good night-o to balance out this unpleasant encounter.

I can imagine someone making an accusation of following and then feeling a bit embarrassed about making a scene and thus feeling like it was better to escalate instead of back down, in a sense justifying the original outburst. Tough to know why he felt so strongly about the episode, regardless you reacted in the moment, under strenuous circumstances, I'd say that you should give yourself a little slack for that.

You tried to mend the fences post-race (which I also think would be the appropriate place to have had the initial conversation/confrontation about following) and I applaud you for that.

Interesting but unfortunate encounter, Boris. Seems like a "virus" invaded our O community civility. Maybe there's symbolism in its occurring in the dark, as in being blindsided.

Based on Boris's account one could probably determine the identity of the unnamed runner from splits data
[edit:] -- specifically, WinSplits data, with "real times" displayed...

unnecessary

I think if Boris thought the identify of the person was a necessary piece of information for his account then he would have included that information.

i'm sure he was trying to avoid further embarrassment for the guilty party -- a fair choice, indeed...

Boris, you are a good guy! Shit happens and sometimes things get blown out of proportions. Too bad a nice moment in the woods was ruined by unnecessary aggression (on both parts, from how you explained it).

and after 66 years, I still say things I shouldn't....

I'm late to the party here, but I agree that what he said was absurd. I also agree that he is probably new to the sport. I mean, you can go entire legs of an orienteering course behind someone and not be following. There is a reason that you cut off the trail at the same place - it was maybe the most open, or been run on perviously by others.

I'm preaching to the choir here, but orienteers run behind each other ALL the time in the forest. And I understand why you reacted the way you did - it was surprising and unexpected - and not true! And frankly, even if you were following for those 2 minutes, it's a local night-o event. Get over it.

I know nothing about this case, but I have run night races with imaging someone followed me most of the race just to find out later the person behind me changed couple of times without me noticing it. So, I can imagine someone being followed and finally getting pissed and saying something rude to the follower, and if that poor fellow isn't any more the person following but someone who just happened to be there behind, well, something like this can happen even without being new to the sport - if someone follows you (or you think someone followed) 5 km you may say something, especially if you are having a bad day. Let's understand, we are just humans.

Seems as if you are all on the trail for 250m, per your telling, with mt laurel on the sides. Not much of an option in that case. But if he didn't like being followed, he could stop and let you pass and then carry on. Sounds overly sensitive and an unfortunate incident.