Ultimate Orienteer #4: Sprint
The Ultimate Orienteer series is the sampler pack of orienteering: each event gives you the opportunity to try a different flavor!
The fourth event in the series is: THE SPRINT!
A sprint is a relatively short race, but it’s about more than distance. A sprint challenges your ability to make quick decisions while under pressure. It may take you just 30 seconds to get from one control to the next, so you won’t want to spend 10 seconds standing still, deciding which way to go. In sprint orienteering, it’s Go Go Go!
If one sprint race is not enough to get your fix, stick around for the relay in the afternoon!
COURSES
Course designer(s): Eric Jones
Course distances will be provided here once the courses are finalized.
Meanwhile, here are the estimated distances:
ESTIMATED
Beginner – less than 2km
Intermediate – less than 2.5km
Advanced – 2.5 to 3km
How are courses measured?
Courses are measured as the crow flies, in a direct line from control to control. Unless you have wings, you will travel farther than this distance! Courses are measured in kilometers, so a good rule of thumb is to simply round up to miles to estimate how far you will go. So in a 5 kilometer race, you’ll likely travel about 5 miles.
COURSE NOTES
This is where notes from the course setter would go.
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SCHEDULE
8:45am – Registration opens
9:00am – Start opens
10:45am – Registration closes
11:00am – Start closes
Why is there a start window?
This event uses an interval start, which means that participants are started in waves instead of all at once. When you arrive at the start tent, find the chute for your course and follow the start volunteer’s instructions.
PRICES
PRE-REGISTRATION PRICES
$17
– $5 for CascadeOC members
– $5 for using your own e-punch
DAY-OF-EVENT REGISTRATION
$20
– $5 for CascadeOC members
– $5 for using your own e-punch
What’s an e-punch?
An e-punch records your race. At each control, you’ll dip the e-punch into an electronic box, which will beep and flash as confirmation. After you finish, you’ll download the e-punch at the download tent and get a receipt that show which controls you visited and how long you took between each; these are your “splits.”
Part of the fun of orienteering is comparing your splits with people who completed the same course, and discussing the routes you took!
SIGN UP
Online pre-registration closes:
Day-of-event registration is available by cash or check, made payable to Cascade Orienteering Club
LOCATION
PARKING
Park in the Shoreview Park parking lot, not in the Shoreline Community College lot.
Travelling west on Innis Arden Way, pass Shoreline Community College, then turn right into the signed entrance to Shoreview Park. You will see open grassy areas and ballfields.
CARPOOL
Looking for a carpool? Join the Yahoo listserv and share your request to find a ride.
THE MAP
No map preview available
SAFETY & ETIQUETTE
Return to the Finish
All participants MUST return to the finish and download their e-punch or turn in their punch card.
Even if you have not finished your course, you must still return to the the finish and confirm with event staff that you have returned safely.
Out of Bounds
Some areas may be marked out of bounds. It is imperative to respect these boundaries to maintain our relationships with land managers. Participants MUST NOT go out of bounds. Any participant caught going out of bounds will be disqualified.
Course Closure
All participants MUST return to the finish by course closure time. If a participant does not return by course closure, event volunteers will begin coordinating a search party.
If you need a long time on the course, start as early in the start window as possible, wear a watch, and be prepared to cut your course short to make it back by the course closure time.
Whistle
All participants MUST carry a whistle on the course. Complimentary whistles are available at the start tent (please only take one).
If you are injured on the course and need assistance, blow three long blasts to call for help.
If you hear a call for help, abandon your course to find the person in distress.
Voices
Part of the fun and fairness of orienteering is navigating your own course, so please be polite when you find a checkpoint and don’t holler that you’ve found it.
