Raccoongaine 2013

Georgetown, PA, US
Mar 24, 2013

Next entry deadline: Mar 15, 2012

Type: Orienteering - Regional

event website

added by: sherpes

The Raccoongaine
Sunday, March 24, 2013 – 10 AM
Raccoon Creek State Park
(30 miles West of Pittsburgh)
3-hr and 6-hr foot map & compass Land Navigation Challenge

With the use of a map and compass, individuals or teams have a fixed time (3 or 6 hours in this event) to find as many checkpoints as possible; walking, running and resting as they see fit. The checkpoints are spread over a large area, and are pre-marked on a map issued shortly before the start of the event. Point values for visiting each checkpoint vary (and are specified in advance) depending on such factors as distance from the start/finish area, elevation, navigational complexity.

Participants come from diverse backgrounds: adventure racers, hikers, walkers, cross-country runners, trail runners, ultra runners, hashers, orienteerers, and family groups. Widely varying levels of competitive intensity are found, going from the casual stroller who wants a little variety added to the weekend hike to the serious athlete. Map reading skill is perhaps the most important technique needed. Route planning strategy is also very important since there won’t be time to get all the checkpoints, so the choice of which to try for is crucial in maximizing scores.

Time: Event starts at 10 AM. on Sunday, March 24, 2013. The registration desk opens at 8:00 AM. Maps will be distributed at 9:00 AM. There is a mandatory meeting at 9:45 AM at the start location for all participants.

Organizers: Western Pennsylvania Orienteering Club

Start/Finish area: Rec Hall in Raccoon Creek State Park. Located 30 miles West of Pittsburgh, near the town of Frankfort Springs. Rec Hall is located 1.3 miles west of the park headquarters, located on route 18. Directions: From Pittsburgh, take Parkway West (I-376) in direction towards the airport. Change to Route 22 West, and exit at Route 18. Follow Route 18 for 6 miles to the north to park headquarters, and follow signs and road for 1.3 miles West to Rec Hall (GPS coordinates: N 40 30.570 , W 080 26.800)

Provided Equipment: A special-purpose topographic map on a large sheet at a 1:15,000 scale and 5 meter contour interval with a large plastic bag will be provided to each participant. In addition, to each team or solo competitor, a checkpoint punch card, and a checkpoint description sheet are also provided to each team or solo competitor. Water is available at the base camp and at selected points marked on the map. Food will be available at end of event. Recommended equipment: compass, whistle, water bottle or camelback, watch, snack food, sunscreen.

Rules: No help from others is allowed during the race away from the base camp. If in a team, team members must stay within sight and speaking distance throughout the event. Portable GPS systems are allowed as long as the intention is to simply record the route taken, for later analysis, discussion, and sharing.

Checkpoints: Each checkpoint is marked by an orange/white flag triangular prism with sides approximately one foot square. The checkpoint flags will usually be visible from some distance, not intentionally concealed, but also not in view of trails or roads. There will be 50 checkpoints distributed in the state park area.

Scoring: The point value of all checkpoints visited is totaled. The late penalty will be 10 points for every minute late. Tie scores will be decided by the order of finishing times. If in a team, all members of the team must be present at finish.

Awards Categories: There are three age categories: Elite (age 20 and over), Masters (age 40 and over), and Super Veterans (age 55 and over). Within each of these categories are gender categories: Men, Women, and Mixed. If in a team, you will be placed in the least competitive category that fits all team members. For example, a team of three women age 40, 44, and 57 would be in the Masters, Women category. Team members under age 20 are not considered in determining category unless all are under age 20; then the team is Elite.

Fees: Entries postmarked by 3/14/2013 will pay a fee of $30 per person for the 6-hr events and $18 for the 3 hour event. After that date, the fees are $40 for the 6-hr event, and $28 for the 3-hr event. For WPOC members, there is a discount of $8/$5 for the 6hr/3hr event.

Registration: Register online , or mail your entry to WPOC c/o Jim Wolfe, 1904 Bates Drive, Johnstown, PA 15905. Checks should be made out to “WPOC”. E-mail of registrar is jlwolfe@atlanticbb.net

List of currently-registered participants.

Note: The local adventure racing group Grass Roots Racing is using this event for the foot-only leg of their season opener of their sprint series. In that event, teams or solo competitors have a maximum of 5 hours to find as many checkpoints as possible in both a foot-only and a bike-only leg. If you are an adventure racer and have a mountain bike, consider this option instead.

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Attending:

72.7		Joe (log)
49.3		swimlinzi04 (log)
35.1		Sparks (log)
		mayer22 (log) SORCAR
		sherpes teaming with LeBron
		BoulderBob Raccoonapalooza !
		Traut (log)
		pasha (log) 6h solo
		Mr Wonderful (log) SMOC road trip
		dlevine (log)
		Jerkface (log)
		Harps (log)
		RJM (log) my recovery is just too slow, darn it
		Double_Downon11
		David_Waller would love to, but I must be in Bloomington
		DangerZone ballin with Durant instead