Jug Bay

The Chase, aka the longest continually running orienteering race in the USA, + Annual Meeting + Potluck Picnic + lots more, as QOC's 2013-2014 Sept - June season comes to a close! Newcomers are welcome - we'll have plenty of challenges, suited for all levels from beginner to advanced.

As is the tradition of this event, there will be a common mass start for all courses at 12:01 PM. Those missing The Chase mass start may still go out but must return by 3:00 PM. Courses are made up of loops; all of the courses are setup for running 2 to 3 loops, except for the White course which only runs one. An additional twist, by popular demand, is the inclusion of a semi-silly obstacle at the end of each course loop. Course stats are posted below.

Advance online pre-registration (FREE for all members; discounted for others) is now closed open via this link. Register before Friday May 30 at midnight. If you register at the meet, you'll pay the regular event fee. Want to see the list of folks registered? Click here.

So here's how the event will run, at least in theory:

• Everyone needs to be registered well in advance.
• Each color course includes different loops. NEW INFO! All of the loops are on just one piece of paper, front and back (half legal size, and half letter size). This means there will not be any map exchanges. Everyone will just need to get the right course color map at the start, and then hold onto it through the race.
• Everyone on a given course does their loops in the same order.
• Maps will be handed out at the starting line; don't look at the side with the squiggly brown lines until the starters gun goes off.
• You will need to have a cup filled with your "race beverage" of choice in hand; we'll have water, soda, and beer (adults only).
• When the race starts, empty your cup, throw it with style to the ground, turn over and look at your map (that means turn the map over, not, turn your body over), and figure out where to go. Or, just follow someone and hope for the best. Every orienteer does that now and then, so why not here and now?
• In contrast to most orienteering races, following someone is OK in this race.
• After finding your controls/checkpoints in the correct order, you'll wind up back at the start area. New Twist! You'll then need to pass through an obstacle while on the clock. These obstacles are ones that competitors of all ages should be able to complete. Competitors will need to complete a single different obstacle at the end of each loop. Anyone skipping an obstacle will be assessed a 3 minute penalty and may just be roundly booed.
• After that, quaff another cup of your beverage of choice before heading out with your next map.
• The finish of each loop is just a short way away from the start triangle of the next loop, but all loops start and finish in the same place. The start is just up the hill from the finish. Repeat this process until you’ve completed all your required loops.
• Time stops when you've quaffed the last drop from your beverage of choice after your last run in to the start/finish area.

Loop Details:
A: 3.4km, 40m climb, 7 controls.
B: 2.9km, 40m climb, 7 controls.
C: 2.6km, 60m climb, 5 controls.
D: 1.5km, 15m climb, 7 controls.
E: 1.7km, 15m climb, 9 controls.
F: 2.1km, 15m climb, 9 controls.

Which courses have which loops?
White: F
Yellow: D + E
Orange: C + F
Brown: B + D
Green: B + D + E
Red: A + D + F
Blue: A + B + E

Sorry, but dogs are not allowed at Jug Bay, for their sake and the sake of numerous traps and food caches used in ongoing studies by the Univ. of MD and the Smithsonian.

A few more event details may be posted later, but feel free to use our Contact Us form with questions in the meantime. But even if we knew, we won't spill the beans and tell you what those obstacles are. Take that, wanna-be Olympic sport obstacle racing!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

10:30 am Registration opens
11:30 am Registration closes
11:30 am Annual Meeting
12:01 Mass Start for ‘The Chase’
Beverages for your selection: Beer, Soda, or Water

Post Chase: Annual PICNIC and AWARDS CEREMONY

Recognition of Course Setters/Meet Directors
Volunteer of the Year Award

QOC will provide beverages, desserts and paper goods. People should bring picnic foods to share at this potluck. Grills will be available and BBQing is encouraged! Please bring water shoes if you want to go into the water because of broken glass on the river bottom. And bring your family, chairs to sit on, sun block and bug spray. Feel free to bring kayaks or canoes if you would like to enjoy the waters of Jug Bay.

Other notes:

• Yes, this event is FREE for pre-registered QOC members! Non-members get the member discount if they pre-register (and pay online). Anyone who pays and/or registers at the event pays full price.
• We've been asked to repeat this, so here goes: No pets are allowed in the park. No exceptions.
• Convenient parking is a bit limited so carpooling is encouraged (and in some cases, so are designated drivers!)
• Please don't wait until the last moment to show up since everyone needs to be registered in advance of the mass start.