UMD College Park

April 16
Saturday
UMDRead All Notes Below for this Sprint Event.
Welcome back to the University of Maryland College Park campus. This *Saturday* event marks our first event here since 2017. QOC is offering three sprint courses designed by our Mapping Director Ted Good on his updated map.

Thanks to Professor of Physics and Professor of Geology (and QOC Member) Dan Lathrop for arranging sponsorship for this event through the UMD Physics Department in coordination with the UMD Vortex Makerspace.

Parking is planned in lots 9B, XX1, and 11B as described in the Location Details below.

Restrooms for QOC use will be in the Kim Engineering Building or across the street from check in at the AV Williams Building. Facial coverings are required to enter all UMD buildings. No spikes in the building.

Given the urban nature of the sprint courses, metal spikes will not be helpful and are likely to damage the venue. Consequently, metal spikes are prohibited on the course and inside all UMD buildings.

Because Sprint courses can be run quickly, Ted has designed these so participants can run all three courses. This means we plan to keep the Start open until 2:15 pm (last check-in window 1:45-2pm), but you’ll still need to finish and be off the courses by 3 pm when we start control pickup. Online registration will allow you to choose which courses you plan to run, including options for up to all three.

If you are running a second or third course, after your first course, you need to download and then return to check-in and get your next map, then return to the e-punch station to check in for the new course and go have fun.

If you are not familiar with Sprint map symbols, read Ted’s map notes (below and linked).

COVID Risk Reduction Protocols:

As with all 2021-2022 QOC events, this event requires pre-registration via the link below. QOC’s COVID risk reduction protocols, as also enumerated somewhat here, are in effect. Please read these guidelines carefully. Key points:

  • PROPERLY WORN MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING ARE REQUIRED at all times when near registration, epunch and any other areas or queues where volunteers and/or participants are congregating.
  • No water will be provided. Provide for your own hydration needs before, during, and after the event.
  • There is no planned, on-site beginner instruction, but beginners are encouraged to watch relevant videos such as this one created by QOC's instructional guru David Onkst.
Other points:
  • Any large groups planning to attend the event (or anyone with questions): please contact the Event Director.
  • The size of start teams (groups of individuals orienteering together with one e-punch) on a course must be no more than four (4) individuals (juniors and adults combined).
  • Pets are permitted on campus but must be leashed at all times.
  • You're Invited! QOC veteran Sidney Sachs will host a Zoom meeting on Tuesday, April 19 at 8pm to review selected course legs and analyze the routes various orienteers took. Please contact Sid Sachs for the invite link.
Location U. Maryland, College Park, Kim Engineering Plaza
Registration Registration for this Saturday event opens at 6pm on Monday April 11 via this link. Advance registration is required.
Registration will close at noon on Friday April 15.
Who's registered? Check by clicking here. Sorting by column is possible too - just click on the column name.
Start Times Start times will be by windows (to be defined for this event before registration opens).
Schedule
  • Saturday, April 16
    10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Volunteers
Location Details
U. Maryland, College Park, Kim Engineering Plaza
Check-in is at the Kim Engineering Building Plaza, an open area on the West side of Paint Branch Drive. We recommend entering UMD on Campus Dr. from the East, and then turning right very soon onto Paint Branch. Drive North on Paint Branch Dr., pass the QOC check-in site on your left, continue North across a small stream and then park in lots 9B, XX1, or 11B. These lots should be free on the weekend.

From the Beltway: Travel to exit 25 and get on Rt 1 heading south. Then travel about 2 miles south on Rt 1 and turn right on Campus Drive (entering the University of Maryland).

From Baltimore: Take I-95 S, and at the Capital Beltway (I-495) take the exit for Rt 1 south (to College Park). Travel about 2 miles south on Rt 1 and turn right on Campus Drive (entering the University of Maryland).

From Washington DC downtown: Take Rt 1 (Baltimore Avenue) north to College Park. Turn left on Campus Drive in College Park city.
Course Details
Course Name Length (km) Climb (m) No. Controls
Sprint A 4.1 70 17
Sprint B 3.8 40 15
Sprint C 3.7 55 15
Course Notes
If doing all three courses, I recommend this order: Sprint C, then B, then A.
Beginners and those doing a single course are recommended to do Sprint A.
The areas of the campus covered by each Sprint map are roughly: Sprint A, West; Sprint B, East; Sprint C, South.

Overall:

  • The map can get cluttered so even though it is a 1:4,000 scale. You may still want a magnifier if you usually use one. Note the distances shown are the likely "travel distances" (and are not the straight line distances).
  • Don’t wear metal studs on shoes. Regular running shoes are appropriate.
  • Be careful running up/downstairs.
  • Be careful of pedestrians and other competitors as you run around building corners to avoid collisions. There could be someone coming from the other direction.
  • There are cars, busses, scooters, and skateboarders on the roads. Be careful when crossing the roads. Scooters and skateboards are also common on the sidewalks.
  • Have fun!
Please see the PDF explaining the map symbols used on this (new!) Sprint map, located here.
Entry Fees Individual Entries

Note: juniors = under 21

Club Member, adultClub Member, juniorNon-Member, adultNon-Member, junior
$10$5$20$5

Group Entries

Participants are welcome to orienteer together as a group (up to the maximum for that event; usually 4). Each member of a group is charged their individual rate as shown above, up to a group total of $30 (maximum), and each receives a map. A group receives one epunch. Individuals or groups desiring to compete on a second course after completing their first can do so for a reduced fee of $2/map subject to approval at the event by the Event Director.

Important Notes
  • If you wish to become a QOC member you should join online in advance 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 will be loaned one for that event. Loaned epunches that are lost incur a $40 replacement fee. Epunches (also known as SI-cards or finger sticks) can be purchased from online vendors as described here.
  • Former QOC members who have let their membership lapse pay non-member fees.
  • Compasses are available at no charge, but if lost incur a $15 replacement fee.
  • Please provide collateral (such as car keys) when borrowing a compass or epunch.
  • There is no planned, on-site beginner instruction, but beginners are encouraged to watch relevant videos such as this one created by QOC's instructional guru David Onkst

Location

U. Maryland, College Park, Kim Engineering Plaza

Registration

Registration for this Saturday event opens at 6pm on Monday April 11 via this link. Advance registration is required.
Registration will close at noon on Friday April 15.
Who's registered? Check by clicking here. Sorting by column is possible too - just click on the column name.

Start Times

Start times will be by windows (to be defined for this event before registration opens).

Schedule

  • Saturday, April 16
    10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Volunteers

Location Details

U. Maryland, College Park, Kim Engineering Plaza
Check-in is at the Kim Engineering Building Plaza, an open area on the West side of Paint Branch Drive. We recommend entering UMD on Campus Dr. from the East, and then turning right very soon onto Paint Branch. Drive North on Paint Branch Dr., pass the QOC check-in site on your left, continue North across a small stream and then park in lots 9B, XX1, or 11B. These lots should be free on the weekend.

From the Beltway: Travel to exit 25 and get on Rt 1 heading south. Then travel about 2 miles south on Rt 1 and turn right on Campus Drive (entering the University of Maryland).

From Baltimore: Take I-95 S, and at the Capital Beltway (I-495) take the exit for Rt 1 south (to College Park). Travel about 2 miles south on Rt 1 and turn right on Campus Drive (entering the University of Maryland).

From Washington DC downtown: Take Rt 1 (Baltimore Avenue) north to College Park. Turn left on Campus Drive in College Park city.

Course Details

Course Name Length (km) Climb (m) No. Controls
Sprint A 4.1 70 17
Sprint B 3.8 40 15
Sprint C 3.7 55 15

Course Notes

If doing all three courses, I recommend this order: Sprint C, then B, then A.
Beginners and those doing a single course are recommended to do Sprint A.
The areas of the campus covered by each Sprint map are roughly: Sprint A, West; Sprint B, East; Sprint C, South.

Overall:

  • The map can get cluttered so even though it is a 1:4,000 scale. You may still want a magnifier if you usually use one. Note the distances shown are the likely "travel distances" (and are not the straight line distances).
  • Don’t wear metal studs on shoes. Regular running shoes are appropriate.
  • Be careful running up/downstairs.
  • Be careful of pedestrians and other competitors as you run around building corners to avoid collisions. There could be someone coming from the other direction.
  • There are cars, busses, scooters, and skateboarders on the roads. Be careful when crossing the roads. Scooters and skateboards are also common on the sidewalks.
  • Have fun!
Please see the PDF explaining the map symbols used on this (new!) Sprint map, located here.

Entry Fees

Individual Entries

Note: juniors = under 21

Club Member, adultClub Member, juniorNon-Member, adultNon-Member, junior
$10$5$20$5

Group Entries

Participants are welcome to orienteer together as a group (up to the maximum for that event; usually 4). Each member of a group is charged their individual rate as shown above, up to a group total of $30 (maximum), and each receives a map. A group receives one epunch. Individuals or groups desiring to compete on a second course after completing their first can do so for a reduced fee of $2/map subject to approval at the event by the Event Director.

Important Notes
  • If you wish to become a QOC member you should join online in advance 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 will be loaned one for that event. Loaned epunches that are lost incur a $40 replacement fee. Epunches (also known as SI-cards or finger sticks) can be purchased from online vendors as described here.
  • Former QOC members who have let their membership lapse pay non-member fees.
  • Compasses are available at no charge, but if lost incur a $15 replacement fee.
  • Please provide collateral (such as car keys) when borrowing a compass or epunch.
  • There is no planned, on-site beginner instruction, but beginners are encouraged to watch relevant videos such as this one created by QOC's instructional guru David Onkst


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