Sunday July 3rd, 2005. Independence O’ Day.

Updates:

6/23: Clarification of pre-registration (It’s NOT required). Clarification of fees.

6/27: Added Point value for Peter’s Sprint Series.

6/29: Added course setters’ notes for courses 1 & 3.

7/1: Added: course setter’s notes for course 2, edit to course 3 notes, start procedure, misc. directions and lunch spot recommendation, control descriptions for courses 1 and 2, après-O.

All courses will be approx. 2-3k, minimal climb, easy to intermediate technical difficulty. EVERYBODY gets to run the same course!!! Maps printed at 1:5,000. epunching on all courses. Pre-registration encouraged (see below)

Please try to start as early as possible in the start window.

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

**Ridley Creek State Park.**

9 am: registration opens.

10 - 10:45 am: Course 1 starts. (worth up to 40 Points in the 2005 Sprint Series)

11:15 am: Course 1 closes and control pick up starts.

11:15 - 12 pm: Course 2 starts. (worth up to 30 points)

12:30 pm: Course 2 closes and control pick up starts.

**Start Procedure**

The start will likely not be staffed full-time. There will be stands with three epunch units. First you’ll need to “CLEAR” (may take up to about 10 seconds), then “CHECK”. When you are ready to start, take a map (don’t look at it) and punch “START”. This will start the clock for your race.

Wait no less than 30 seconds and no more than 1 minute between starts. The start windows are only 45 minutes and I bet we’ll have more than 45 participants.

You’ll need to clear, check and start before every race.

**Lunch**

Baja Mexican Grill – Springfield PA. Directions from Ridley to the restaurant at http://maps.google.com/maps?spn=0.091030,0.166014&saddr=Gradyville+Rd+%26+N+Sandy+Flash+Dr,+Newtown+Square,+PA+19073&daddr=1138+Baltimore+Pike,+Springfield,+PA+19064%C2%A0(Baja+Fresh+Mexican+Grille)&hl=en

Directions from the restaurant to Willows at http://maps.google.com/maps?spn=0.181974,0.332027&saddr=1138+Baltimore+Pike,+Springfield,+PA+19064+(Baja+Fresh+Mexican+Grille)&daddr=darby+paoli+rd+and+church+road,+radnor,+pa&hl=en

If you don’t think you have time for Baja, or don’t want to go there, directions from Ridley to Willows (passes a Wawa) at http://maps.google.com/maps?spn=0.090957,0.166014&saddr=Gradyville+Rd+%26+N+Sandy+Flash+Dr,+Newtown+Square,+PA+19073&daddr=Darby+Paoli+Rd+%26+newtown+Rd,+Wayne,+PA+19087&hl=en

**The Willows**

2 - 2:45 pm: Course 3 starts.

3:15 pm: Course 3 closes. (worth up to 30 points)

Beginning at 3:30 pm: Course 4 starts begin. (Sorry, no points, just fun!)

Course 4 will be course 3 run in reverse order as a chase based on the times on course 3. This can be a LOT of fun. Orienteers with the slowest times start early, those with faster times start late. You'll use the map from Course 3, just run it in reverse order.

**Après-O**

I’m sure after a fun day of racing in the sun, some people will surely want to go find a nice place to sample some of the finer brews of the region. Hang around a I’m sure a plan will formulate.

**Fees**

$10 for all 4 courses, 3 maps. Reduced to $8 if you pre-register (see below).

If you want to do less than all courses, the fee is $4 per map.

These fees are ridiculously low, given the amount of work involved and the expenses associated with this event, but we wanted to ensure price would not become a barrier. Additional donations to the club are always welcome.

**Pre-registration**

Due to the tight schedule and the fact we're providing epunching on all courses, we are encouraging participants to pre-register. It also helps us figure out how many maps to print. (You'll get a $2 discount on the full day if you pre-register). Go here to pre-register.

You are not required to pre-register. You are welcome to just show up on the day of the event and sign up.

**Course Setter's Notes**

Course 1: While the map is not field checked or drafted to sprint map (ISSOM) standards, it is well done and up to the task. Observant runners will notice that some features found in the terrain, such as paved trails, walls, and cultivated areas (flower beds) are drawn using conventional mapping standards. In the case of flower beds, they may be omitted entirely.

The courses do go near walls, fences, and flower beds. However, there is no need to go through these features as part of any reasonable route – PLEASE do not do so. If you see a flower bed or small wall, please go around. In all relevant cases, these features have obvious breaks or passages whenever runners are expected to cross.

The map, like all of the maps today, is printed at 1:5000 scale. The contour interval is 5 meters.

The running surfaces include relatively equal parts of pavement, grass, narrow trail, and rather runable forest. Less runable forest abounds but should not be part of most routes.

Course stats: 2.56 km, 95 m, 12 controls, target winning time: 13-14 minutes

Control Descriptions are here.

Course 2: Same comments as above on the map. Please go around walls and flower beds. You’ll need to cross a couple of roads which will have motor vehicle traffic. Please be careful when crossing. You’ll also cross and/or use a multi-use trail. In nice weather, this trail gets A LOT OF use; pedestrians, joggers, and bikers. Again, don’t run anybody over.

Course stats: 2.8 km, 75m, 14 controls.

Control Descriptions are here.

Course 3 & 4: While the map is not up to the same high standards as most DVOA orienteering maps, it is a full color OCAD map, and the courses take advantage of the better mapped features, both for control locations and routes.

At one point, you will pass close to the mansion (perhaps we should call this the Mansion O' day...?). When doing so, please do not tread on flower beds.

There are plenty of paved paths and gaps to go through, if your route takes you near some.

The running surface along the better route includes trails, fields, white forests and streambeds. Your shoes will probably get wet, as there are as many as 6 stream crossings on the course, depending on your route, and how much rain there is just before the event. Even if you are crossing the streams in a hurry, you may want to check the depth of the water before crossing, as there are a few deep pools along the creek. Although at most crossing points you shouldn't need to go more than ankle deep, and you can usually use the bridge or find a line of rocks if you insist on keeping your feet dry.

- In the field around control # 3, there are some rather large mulch piles, up to 3-5 meters high and 100m long that are not mapped individually (since they move...). The control is on a road, so if you simply run around the piles, you should be able to find the bag just fine.

Course Stats: 3.24 km, 95m, 12 controls, target winning time: 19-21 minutes

**Directions to each park**

Ridley: From Newtown Square follow Rt.3 west approximately 2 miles to main park entrance on south side. Follow O'-signs to the Park Office parking area.

Willows: From Rt. 320 and Rt. 30 intersection at Villanova follow Rt. 320 south to first light. Right at light then left at next light. Follow O'-signs.

**Key Personnel**

Event Directors: Wyatt Riley, John De Wolf

ePunch gurus (or is it guresses?): Sandy Fillebrown, Valerie Meyer.

Course 1 Course Setter: Clem McGrath/Vadim Masalkov

Course 2 Course Setter: John De Wolf

Course 3 Course Setter: Wyatt Riley

Course vetter: Johnny WrongWay.

Inspiration: Peter Gagarin

We could use help vetting, hanging, picking up, and whatever else so let us know...

Keep an eye on this page and the DVOA eBoard for last minute changes/additions.