Cabin John

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November 22
Sunday

Photo by Andrew GastwirthWelcome back to one of our family-friendliest orienteering venues - and one that still has plenty of navigational challenges for all levels. Course information will be posted closer to the event date. Note that the registration area for this event will be Pavilion H, almost directly north of (and near) the Train Station; a locator map is posted below.

Event timing will be standard: register at the event anytime between 10:45am - 1:15, start anytime between 11 - 1:30, and make sure to finish and check back no later than 3pm. Electronic timing will be used, so make sure to return borrowed timing chips at the download/finish station.

This is a small and relatively heavily used area, but it has a number of nice pockets of forest and will present challenges for beginners and experienced orienteers alike.

As usual, youth groups and other large groups planning to attend this event should contact the Event Director well in advance so that we can coordinate pre-registration for your group; the group registration and waiver form is part of the information on our Group Leaders page.

Reminder: Do Not Drink From the Water Containers. It is unsanitary. Use the cups that we've placed at each water stop. We don't care if it does take you a few extra seconds (you're not racing for a medal anyway!). And if you see someone putting their lips on an open water jug, feel free to report it to the Event Director, who at their discretion may speak with (and disqualify) the offender.

Additional information:

  • Please make sure to read the course setter comments below.
  • Watch out for the Train! Yes, given dry enough weather we expect that the quite popular miniature train ride will be running, and although you can run faster than it goes, and you might even be able to leap over it, it's still poor form to scare kids by rushing out of the woods at them as they ride the train. On the other hands, if you're bringing young kids, read up about this ride on this page.
  • Carpooling is encouraged as a courtesy to other park users.
  • Dogs on leash are welcome.
  • GPS watch loaner program continues, for anyone interested in trying one out. See Jon Torrance at the event.
  • Feel free to use our Contact Us form if you have any questions!


California Tortilla Post-Race MeetUp Special! The nearby - literally about 1 minute away - California Tortilla is offering orienteers after our event a free side of chips & queso with any purchase (use top secret code "race"). Located in the Cabin John Shopping Center (Tuckerman & Seven Locks Rds) just west of our venue, CalTort's Wall of Flame and it's spunky attitude make it a QOC favorite.




Cabin John PlaygroundsCabin John Train

Pavilion H Locator Map

Location

Cabin John Regional Park, Playground Parking Area, Bethesda, MD (Classic)
RegistrationNo advance registration required. Just show up and have fun!
Start TimesStart anytime between 11 - 1:30, and make sure to finish and check back no later than 3pm.
ScheduleSunday, November 22
11:00 am - 3:00 pmClassic:
Volunteers
Event Director:Don Fish
Course Designer:Amber Tomas
Location Details

Classic
Cabin John Regional Park
Playground Parking Area
Bethesda, MD
Google Map

From the East: Take I-270 North from the I-495 Beltway, exit at Old Georgetown Rd (going north), and then immediately work your way left on Old Georgetown to turn left on Tuckerman. Turn left into the park after the underpass. From the South: Take I-270 North from the I-495 Beltway, exit at Democracy Blvd, going west. Turn right on Westlake (at the Exxon/Shell station), then eventually left on Tuckerman. Turn left into the park very soon after the left turn onto Tuckerman. From the North: Going south on I-270, exit at Montrose Rd (west). Turn left to go south on Seven Locks, then eventually left (east) on Tuckerman. Turn right into the park before the second traffic light (and before the underpass).
Google Maps Link
Apple/iPhone Link
Course DetailsClassic
Course NameLength (km)Climb (m)No. Controls
White 2.55011
Yellow 2.55010
Orange 4.116011
Brown 3.31109
Green 5.317516
Red 7.522519
Blue 9.928023
Course NotesClassic

Cabin John Park can roughly be described as a long park with a creek running down the middle. There are almost no "dry" ways to cross this stream, so those running Orange and above should be prepared to get your feet wet (it will be worth it though)!

White & Yellow courses: you will have one leg that is off-trail and is streamered to guide you. Please follow the streamers on this leg, which is indicated on your clue sheet as a reminder. White map scale is 1:5000; Yellow is 1:7500.

The Orange course is a little shorter than usual. However, if you have been running orange and are looking to take the next step to an advanced course, this might be a good day to do it. There are many trails and large features in the park which help to catch you if you go too far astray!

Map scales for Orange, Brown, Green: 1:7500.

For those running Green, Red, and Blue: These courses will venture onto the northern side of Tuckerman Road. This road can be busy at times so, please do not take unnecessary risks when crossing. There will be a control to punch on either side of the road, and your time for the road-crossing "legs" will be subtracted from your overall time. The road crossing is not marked on your clue sheet.
Note: There are two separate temporary heavy vehicle work roads near streams on the northern side of Tuckerman Road. The area of these roads is shown using the "prepared area" (green cross-hatching) overlay. You are allowed to run across or on these roads, but take care as there are many gaps between the wood planks.
Also note that some of the trails on the northern part of the map are covered in leaves and can be difficult to see.
Map scales for Red and Blue are 1:10,000, and both are printed on legal size paper.
Entry FeesIndividual Entries

Note: juniors = under 21

Club Member, adult Club Member, junior Non-Member, adult Non-Member, junior
Epunch Owner $5 $5 $10 $5
Epunch Borrower $10 $5 $15 $10

Team or Group Entries

Participants are welcome to compete together as a single team entry. Teams containing one or more nonmembers are charged the nonmember individual rate. Teams containing one or more adults are charged the adult individual rate. For teams to receive member or junior rates, all members of the team must be members or juniors, respectively. Each extra team map beyond the first is an additional $2. Individuals or teams desiring to compete on a second course can do so for a reduced fee of $2/map.

Important Notes
  • At the event, we can only accept payment in cash or check; online, you may use a credit card or PayPal account.
  • You may become a member at the event or by joining online via this webpage (which also explains the member benefits). Membership is completely optional.
  • Most of our events use an 'epunch' timing chip for electronic timing. Individuals or groups without their own epunch pay a higher entry fee (see above), which includes the loan of an epunch for that event. Loaned epunches that are lost incur a $40 replacement fee. Epunches (also known as SI-cards or finger sticks) are usually available for sale at each event as described here.
  • Compasses are available at no charge, but if lost incur a $15 replacement fee.
  • Please provide collateral (driver's license or car keys) when borrowing a compass or epunch.
  • For additional safety, whistles are available for sale at $1/each.
  • Free beginner instruction is always available - just ask at the registration table.