Mason Neck

Course results can be seen below. Splits are available on Attackpoint or Winsplits. To enter your routes and see how others went, head to RouteGadget.

The weather forecast for Mason Neck had become increasingly ominous in the 24 hours prior to our event, with a high probability of thunder storms predicted for the afternoon of the 15th. In the event, the thunder storms did not materialize, although a rapid temperature drop in the morning, gusty winds and a period of rain did generate raw conditions at the registration site. But for runners on the courses (144 course starts,) the wind had little effect and conditions for orienteering were very favorable during most of the day. Moreover, the April date and unusual weather patterns this winter/spring meant none of the deer flies and pollen that have sometimes made Mason Neck a trying experience and also meant that visibility-impeding foliage was still minimal. All in all it was an excellent day for orienteering.
Jon Torrance's thorough revision of the Mason Neck map and his course design received many compliments, as did Bob Turbyfill's Zero to Orange intensive orienteering instruction with a dozen of his students taking on the white and yellow courses with us on Sunday (today).
A hearty thanks to all the volunteers who put on the meet: Paul Collinson and Michelle Jennings on set-up; Rae Ann Hicks, Bill Vienna, Helen Doherty, Warren and Sandy Preston on registration; Mark Hicks, Dennis Doherty, and Rick Oliver on beginner instruction; and on control pick-up, Matthew Knight, John Organek, Dasa Merkova, Bill Wright, Tavia Sullens, and Steve Doherty.
Thanks especially to Mark and Rae Ann Hicks for lending their tent-canopies to the club for this event, as they have so many times in the past. We certainly needed them today.
We also need to recognize Valerie Meyer for jumping in to execute e-punch operations at the last minute when Amy Louden, who was scheduled to run the e-punch station at Mason Neck, came down with pneumonia. Get well soon, Amy!
Finally, we appreciate the support that QOC received from the crew at Mason Neck State Park in planning and executing this event.
Charles Carrick,
Meet Director