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November 9
Sunday
Sunday
Pre-registration is required and will open on Monday, Nov. 3 at 6pm and will close at noon Saturday Nov. 8. There will be no day-of registration.
Join Us for an Exciting Family Adventure!
Welcome back to the Marlboro Natural Area, Swanson Road, one of the smaller parks associated with the Patuxent River Park system. Swanson Road provides a mix of mid-Atlantic spur and reentrant terrain, as well as Patuxent River lowlands and marshes. The history of the park remains visible, with unoccupied houses and fields in various stages of natural reclamation. Unlike other near-river parks in our venues, there are many steep areas at Swanson Road, but the climbs are rewarded with open woods, beautiful views, early fall colors, and of course, orienteering courses for all levels.
What to Expect
Participants will navigate diverse terrains, including wooded areas, fields, and waterways, using a map and compass. This event is designed to test your navigation skills, endurance, and for groups, teamwork. Various courses will be available to accommodate all skill levels:- Beginner Course(White, Yellow, and Long Yellow): Perfect for newcomers, offering a gentle introduction to orienteering with straightforward checkpoints and kid-friendly terrain. Beginner Instruction will be available. The Long Yellow course is aimed at those Beginners almost ready to move up a level.
- Intermediate Course (Orange): A bit more challenging, great for those with some orienteering experience looking to improve their skills. This event’s Orange course is aimed at those confident Intermediate Orienteers preparing for their next step.
- Advanced Courses (Beige, Brown, Green, and Blue): For experienced orienteers seeking a course with complex navigation.
What to Bring
Participants should come prepared with the following items:- Comfortable outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear
- Water bottle and snacks
- Compass and whistle if you have them. Loaners are available if needed.
Parking and Check-in
Parking is in the grassy field at the end of the dirt road. Be careful of ruts and mud if it has been raining recently. Check-in, e-punch, and portable toilets will be located at the barn adjacent to the parking area.
Groups
QOC allows groups of up to 4 people to orienteer together. Any youth or large groups attending this event should contact the Event Director in advance so that we can coordinate pre-registration for your group. Details and the required waiver form can be found on our For Group Leaders webpage.| Location | Swanson Road Natural Area, North end, Upper Marlboro, Maryland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Swanson Road Natural Area, North end, Upper Marlboro, Maryland
From the Washington Beltway, take exit 11 to MD-4 South/Pennsylvania Avenue. After 8 miles, exit onto US-301 North. Drive 3 miles then turn right onto Swanson Road. Stay on Swanson Road for about half a mile, then instead of turning right for Swanson Road, continue straight onto Swanson Road Spur. Follow Swanson Road Spur for another half mile+ to the parking area.
If your route brings you south on US-301, turn left onto Swanson Road - it's the next junction south of Leeland Road, with the right turn being onto Beech Tree Parkway and the left turn, crossing the highway onto Swanson Road, then follow directions above.
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Location
Schedule
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Sunday, November 9
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Volunteers
- Event Director : Mary Snieckus
- Course Designer : Craig Shelden
- Event Director : Hilary Maloney
Location Details
Swanson Road Natural Area, North end, Upper Marlboro, Maryland
From the Washington Beltway, take exit 11 to MD-4 South/Pennsylvania Avenue. After 8 miles, exit onto US-301 North. Drive 3 miles then turn right onto Swanson Road. Stay on Swanson Road for about half a mile, then instead of turning right for Swanson Road, continue straight onto Swanson Road Spur. Follow Swanson Road Spur for another half mile+ to the parking area.
If your route brings you south on US-301, turn left onto Swanson Road - it's the next junction south of Leeland Road, with the right turn being onto Beech Tree Parkway and the left turn, crossing the highway onto Swanson Road, then follow directions above.
Course Details
| Course Name | Length (km) | Climb (m) | No. Controls |
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| White | 1.6 | 30 | 9 |
| Yellow | 2.4 | 90 | 12 |
| Yellow_Long | 3.6 | 125 | 12 |
| Orange | 4.9 | 175 | 16 |
| Beige | 3.2 | 150 | 8 |
| Brown | 3.8 | 150 | 11 |
| Green | 5.6 | 200 | 14 |
| Red | 8.1 | 290 | 17 |
| Blue | 10.1 | 350 | 22 |
