After several delays due to Virginia COVID restrictions and a date change from Saturday to SUNDAY, March 21, we are going back to Mason Neck State Park in Virginia for a classic orienteering meet. Orienteering in Mason Neck provides a distinctive navigation experience due to its flat ground and relatively few easily identifiable features. Its 2.5m map contours (rather than the standard 5 meters) will give orienteers the chance to develop a heightened appreciation of terrain subtleties and provide a great opportunity for them to work on their compass skills and pace counting. Runners will have their choice of a full set of classic courses designed by Tavia Sullens and Mark Thomsen. Unfortunately, an expansion of the restricted areas in the park has forced us to shorten some of the advanced courses, so keep that in mind when you select your course during registration.
This Sunday event requires on-line pre-registration, and we will open registration at 6pm on Monday, March 15. QOC’s COVID risk reduction protocols [2], as also enumerated here [3], will be in effect. Please read these guidelines carefully, particularly keeping in mind the need for participants to bring their own water for all their hydration needs before, during, and after their runs/walks.
Other points:
Location | Mason Neck SP, Mason Neck SP, Lorton, VA (Classic) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Registration | Pre-registration will open at 6pm on Monday March 15 for this event, - via this link [10].
Registration will close no later than 6pm Sat. March 20 (the night before the event). Who's registered? Check by clicking here [11]. Sorting by column is possible too - just click on the column name. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Start Times | Participants will register in advance for a specified 15 or 45 minute check-in window (including map pick-up), starting at 9:45am until the final window from 1:15-1:30pm. Each window will be limited to 15 or 45 "starts" (solo individuals or groups). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Schedule | Sunday, March 21
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Volunteers |
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Location Details |
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Course Details | Classic
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Course Notes | Classic The Mason Neck Map is beginning to show some wear. Many rootstocks and some knolls have decayed considerably. Accordingly, rootstocks and knolls, where used for controls, are sufficiently isolated and/or remain sufficiently prominent to be identified. Unless used as a control, it is not recommended to rely on rootstocks for navigation, as those mapped tend to have decayed and there are many newer rootstocks that are not mapped. At last field check visibility was excellent and marshy areas tended to be on the drier side (rain prior to the event may change this). Dry marshy areas can generally be distinguished from the surrounding areas by regions of flattened leaves. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Entry Fees | Individual Entries
Note: juniors = under 21
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
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Links:
[1] https://www.qocweb.org/events/2021/3/21/mason-neck
[2] https://www.qocweb.org/sites/default/files/QOC_COVID_Risk_Reduction_2020_10_01.pdf
[3] https://www.qocweb.org/events/2020/9/27/gunston-hall/
[4] https://coronavirus.dc.gov/dccan
[5] https://covidlink.maryland.gov/content/faqs/#faqCA
[6] https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/covidwise/
[7] https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/mason-neck
[8] https://www.qocweb.org/contact/Wright/Bill
[9] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFJLfLJk9tk
[10] https://qoc.wufoo.com/forms/p5fdymo18m51zr/
[11] https://qoc.wufoo.com/reports/p1xgxkr314qomkd/
[12] https://www.qocweb.org/contact/Sullens/Tavia
[13] https://www.qocweb.org/contact/Thomsen/Mark
[14] http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=loc:38.6424,-77.1984&sll=38.6424,-77.1984&sspn=0.076258,0.086346&ie=UTF8&z=14
[15] https://maps.apple.com/?ll=38.643319,-77.198041&q=Mason%20Neck&t=m
[16] http://qocweb.org/content/membership-types
[17] http://qocweb.org/epunch