Lake Needwood

Course results can be seen below as well as on Attackpoint and WinSplits. Don't forget to enter your course into RouteGadget as well.

Next event: Greenbelt, MD, Sunday April 19, and since it requires pre-registration (which closes Friday midnight), if you're planning to go, don't procrastinate - register now!

Many people chose to forgo the crowds at the Tidal Basin for the Cherry Blossom Festival and instead headed north to Rockville to our QOC meet at Lake Needwood. The weather could not have been better-not too hot, not too cold, it was just right! Given that it was also Spring break for several Maryland counties (many potential volunteers were out of town) but still turnout was surprisingly high. We had nearly 150 starts with many families and newbies out on the courses! Several groups lost track of time and moseyed their way to the finish after the close (but at least we didn't have to send out the search party)!
Greg and Kathleen Lennon set the full array of classic courses from white to blue, leading orienteers to many different areas of the park. There was also an advanced training session for QOC members led by Mihai Sirbu that many people took advantage of. The epunch leaders Valerie and Amy were rock stars as always, and Amy made her world famous cookies (Yummy)! The Park Police and Rangers were also very timely in there response to my calls about unlocking the electrical box.
Volunteer numbers were tight leading up to the meet, but in the end you came through! Thank you to all the volunteers who came out. The day would not have run as smoothly without you. Set Up – Nicole Lennon, Mrs. Hillmann; Registration – Fred Hillmann, Josh Bascom, Jinny Szabo Biz, and Pat McNeilly; Beginner Instruction – Michael Dickey, Helena Mora-Jensen, Ben Roberts, and Sam Listwak; E-punch support – Nicole Lennon and Mike Lieder; Clean-up – Pat McNeilly, Jinny Szabo Biz, James Billington, Nicole Lennon, and many others whose names I didn't catch; Control Pick-up – Greg Lennon, John Baker, Nadim Ahmed, Dan Quinn, and Charles Carrick; and Marichu Reeves impromptu photographer! Also, thank you to everyone who help with the food/drink table, washing apples and mixing lemonade, though I may not have caught your names it meant a lot!
Thanks especially to the QOC leadership that makes this one of the best orienteering club in the nation! It takes hours of work behind the scene so that we can run for 1-3 hrs in the woods. If you haven't volunteered you should to help give them a break!
I hope to see you all again at future QOC events.
- Lydia Andrews