May Day! Orienteering Race

CHECK-IN – 2:00 P.M.
MASS START – 2:30 P.M.
CUT-OFF – 6:30 P.M.
The Park at Flat Rock

OVERVIEW

The May Day! Orienteering Race will feature multiple race formats and appeal to a wide range of participants, from complete beginners up to experienced orienteers.

Beginner Course – distance and number of controls TBA, but expect a pleasant walk (or jog or run) through The Park, visiting many of its beautiful and unique features. A magnetic compass is not required, but always helpful and a great skill to learn. Crash courses in land navigation are available at all of our meets – just let us know and an experienced person will give you an overview of how it’s done. This course is timed and your name will appear in the results.

Ultra Sprint – this is the MAIN EVENT. Don’t be dissuaded by the title if you’re new to orienteering. — you don’t have to be fast or experienced to have blast with this format, which is designed with parks in mind. Read on!

An “Ultra Sprint orienteering race” is basically a “one person relay,” where each competitor completes multiple short courses, one at a time, until all courses are completed. The sum of each competitor’s times comprises their finishing time, and are listed fastest to slowest like any other race results. Typically, there are 3 to 5 courses, mostly short and middle distance, with one long course to be run last. The first few course maps are presented in scrambled order for each competitor to discourage following.

In addition to the “multiple maps” component, Ultra Sprints feature funky obstacles like playground equipment (safely! watch for kids!) and a MAZE made of flagging tape to increase the fun factor even more. Ultra Sprints are highly social orienteering races as competitors are routinely coming back to the Start/Finish to begin their next legs, offering more interaction between orienteers than a typical race.

This race can be done at ANY SPEED, so don’t think you have to be a speed demon to have fun.

An example of a course map from a previous event is shown to give you an idea of what to expect. As the terrain is flat enough for the map to not even have contours, the navigation is pretty straight forward with fairly long line of sight. If you are a runner, this is a “flat and fast” course where you can really stretch your legs.

We will be using SPORTident timing for this race. If you have your own finger stick, please bring it and use the appropriate discount code at checkout to get a $5 discount. Additional information below.

ABOUT THE MAP

The Park at Flat Rock is a beautiful, lushly appointed former 9-hold golf course featuring miles of paved and gravel cart paths, multiple ponds and streams and bridges and gardens and gazebos and well, you’ll have to see for yourself. The place is gorgeous.

The 1:4,000-scale is fully field checked and mapped (almost) to ISSprOM-2019 standards. A sample section of the map is shown above.

Please not that this is a FOOT RACE and no other modes of transportation are allowed in the competition.

FEES

• ADULTS – $15 per person (includes one finger stick – accompanied, non-competing kids are free)

Please note! Pre-registration is REQUIRED and there is NO WALK-UP REGISTRATION. Due to a limited supply of timing devices, attendance at this event is capped at 60.

You can purchase tickets online in advance with a credit/debit card, but cash onsite is always welcome! If you’re planning to attend and want to pay in cash, please go through checkout the normal way and select “Cash onsite” as your payment method. This functions as an RSVP, ensures your finger stick is programmed with your name and your maps are pre-printed and ready when you arrive (a little early, please!)

DISCOUNT CODES

Do you have your own SI-card, or “finger stick?”

Please use the coupon code HAVESTICK at checkout to take $5 off your order.

If you have multiple finger sticks, please use HAVE2STICKS, HAVE3STICKS, or HAVE4STICKS accordingly (Santis, this means you!)

Waiver of Liability (initials required at checkout)

Waiver — In consideration of you accepting this entry, I, the participant, intending to be legally bound and hereby waive or release any and all right and claims for damages or injuries that I may have against the Meet Director, Northline Navigation LLC, and all of their agents assisting with the activity, sponsors and their representatives and employees for any and all injuries to me or my personal property. This release includes all injuries and/or damages suffered by me before, during, or after the activity. I recognize, intend, and understand that this release is binding on my heirs, executors, administrators, or assignees. I also authorize the use of photographs or videos that include my image for promotional, informational, or other reasons deemed to be in the best interest of the activity. I certify as a material condition to my being permitted to enter this race that I am physically fit and sufficiently trained for the completion of this event and that my physical condition has been verified by a licensed Medical Doctor. By submitting this entry, I acknowledge (or a parent or adult guardian for all children under 18 years) having read and agreed to the above waiver. [YOU MUST INITIAL THE REGISTRATION FORM TO CONFIRM ACCEPTANCE OF THESE CONDITIONS.]