Gambrill

Pre-registration is required and will open Wednesday, Feb 25 at 6pm. It will close on Saturday, March 7 at 12 noon (or when our max. capacity is reached). There will be no day-of registration.

REMINDER: Daylight Savings Time starts this weekend, so don’t forget to set any non-digital clocks ahead one hour on Saturday night.

Welcome to QOC's 2026 Rogaine, taking place in Maryland's Gambrill State Park and the Frederick Municipal Forest. We will again have two course options - a shorter 3-hour rogaine, with 21 checkpoints, and a longer 8-hour event with 40 checkpoints. All checkpoints are worth from 1 to 5 points depending on factors such as difficulty to find, or frankly, the whims of course designer Michael Dickey. There is no set course, so it is up to each competitor to determine the best route to get the maximum number of points within the allotted time. Scoring will be based on total points with time used as a tie-breaker. Competitors exceeding the time limit for their course will lose 1 point per minute or fraction of a minute over time. So don’t be late!

This year the start and finish are both remote. All rogainers (3-hour and 8- hour) will take a 4-mile shuttle ride between the check-in shelter and the start/finish at the Hamburg Road Parking area. There will be a clothing drop at the start/finish. Check-in and download are located in Shelter 3. 8-hour finishers need to be at the finish before 16:45 when the last shuttle leaves (courses close at 16:30).

While this is not an event suitable for beginning orienteers, all others should find this a challenging and fun event. The 3-hour event is designed to be easier and more friendly to those interested in trying out something new. If you are comfortable with Orange courses, and would enjoy a nice hike in some beautiful terrain, come try this! Want to learn more about rogaines in general? Click here. Note that in contrast to orienteering (where you shouldn't look at your map before you start), in a Rogaine you are given time to study the map and plan a route before your time starts. For this event, maps will be handed out at registration and each competitor can start when they are ready by punching the 'start' epunch box. Note course closure times though - if you are still out on the course, time for your course stops then no matter when you start. Unlike previous years, there is no mass start because of the shuttle to the remote start.

Post-Event Picnic! Plan to stay around after the event to compare route choices and enjoy complimentary hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, chips, and soft drinks. Other than alcohol (prohibited in Maryland state parks), feel free to bring anything else you'd like to drink or eat.

Registration Details:

• 3-hour: Registration is capped at 80 starts (individuals and teams); cost is $14.49/pp for members and those younger than 21, and $24.49 for non-members.
• 8-hour: Registration is capped at 75 starts (individuals and teams); cost is $34.49/pp for members and under-21's, and $44.49 for non-members.
• Registration will close when sold out or no later than noon on Saturday March 7.
• Solo rogainers and teams of 2 to 4 (max) are welcome. Note that IRF rules require those under 14 be on a team with at least one person over 18.
• Portable toilets will be available near the registration shelter.
• The shuttles do not allow non-service animals.
• Recommended Equipment: whistle, watch (make sure to keep track of your time!), compass and basic first aid kit. Phones are allowed but are not to be used for navigation. [Feel free to take photos to share later though!]
• Competitors should bring sufficient hydration (and food) for the length of the event, or the means to filter purified water from streams. There is no provided water on the course, but there are plenty of springs and streams.

Costs

For 3-hour participants, cost is $14.49/pp for members of QOC or any OUSA club and those younger than 21, and $24.49 for non-members.
For 8-hour participants, the cost is $34.49/pp for members of QOC or any other OUSA club and under-21's, and $44.49 for non-members.
Pre-registration with payment is required.

Park Entrance Fee

Gambrill State Park charges a per-vehicle entrance fee - $3 for MD residents, $5 for out-of-staters. The park has asked QOC to help ensure all participants pay this fee. If you have an Maryland annual pass, you're all set. Otherwise, you can pay the entrance fee at the pay station (exact cash only) or at the QOC check-in. We can collect the fees in cash or by PayPal and will submit the total to the park.

Parking and Check-in Details

Carpooling is encouraged! We expect that there will be plenty of parking near the pavilions (#2 and #3) and near the park entrance just after the Visitor’s Center for all 8 hour competitors.
For 3 hour competitors, while there may not be sufficient parking at the High Knob area there is additional parking at the Trail Head Parking or in the Rock Run area at the bottom of the hill as you enter the park. We’ll post a sign if parking fills up. The shuttle will make runs past that parking area between 8:30 and 9:30 for 3-hour competitors. It will be a downhill hike back to the distant parking area after your course (no shuttle). Please arrive by 9:30am so you have enough time to make all the shuttles and register.

Volunteers

Is 8 hours too much, and 3 hours not enough? We are looking for 3 hour participants to help pick up controls. Run, eat, then run some more. Plus someone who can help with registration and parking in the morning; just sign up via this form or email the Event Director directly for other options.