April 21, 2021

Prison Break and Smell the Flowers

We couldn't have asked for a better day!  This was the first event on this map, and it lent itself to some challenges.  First due to the location we needed to stick to trails as much as possible, so we went with a modified trail type course. Then due to the openness and popularity it was tricky to find the perfect control spot that would be easy to see for participants but not so obvious to the general passerby. The last thing was that it was my first course design and director of an event that included controls (I had it easy with the November metrogain!).



While designing the course and I knew this was going to be a crazy fast course!  The uphills were slow and gradual, and the hard packed trail were in peak condition. This was evidenced by blazing speeds set by people in all categories!

Late arrival Erik blew through the advanced course in 33:51 and some friendly competition between the Morgan family had them both finishing under an hour with some light hearted taunting and cheers to go around!

The Intermediate course similarly saw some speedy finishes.  Kirsten managed to hold on to her streak of finishing first (37:17) followed closely by Jennifer Smackey. Lauren H made a last-minute decision to participate and while she complained about the hills she finished with a smile.  Out of towner Mary Hardy (visiting from the Bay Area) joined us and did well with the warmer weather and lack of water features.



The sport map had a strong showing which included several 4 legged friends and a young Fragkias who ran the Sport course AFTER his soccer game and still said he had fun.  Also, some newcomers tackled the sport course after completing the beginner map, perhaps they've caught the bug?

As I mentioned above this was my first course design, so I appreciated all the kind words I heard.  I learned a lot and know I still have a lot to learn so I value all the feedback and people being flexible with some things I may have missed.  All major complaints should go to John as he was my mentor during this process! ;)  But in all seriousness a huge thanks to John for creating the map and letting a newbie take control of course design.  There were many phone calls (some quite long), I appreciated all the hints/tips/nudges I received and still be allowed to do "whatever I wanted".

 Some additional thanks yous:

    *Sergey/Melanie for helping with the OE software.  Sergey is truly a trooper as he hung in there until the last runner checked in!

    *Carrie for helping set course the night before and for assisting with check-in.  She was able to help provide some help to some newer folks on map reading and navigation with a compass. Also assisting with course pickup

    *Ole who not only ran the Advanced course, waited while his son finished the advanced course but then offered to go back out and help with course pickup.

    *My Dad (Scott) for walking the area several times with me scouting control locations, setting the course the night before, helping setup the registration area, course and registration tear down. Nothing like being volentold ;)

We had 50 people turn up for this event and this included a handful of first timers! For those who selected to use our electronic punching, here are the results:

Advanced 6k- 11 Participants

Place

Start#

Name

Time

1

35

Erik Bergset

33:51:00

2

14

Lee Scott

37:47:00

3

2

Sergey Velichko

39:53:00

4

17

Jason Russell

42:18:00

5

25

Melanie Wright

48:31:00

6

8

Dustin Thomas

50:13:00

7

5

William Leahy

51:31:00

8

20

Emily/Aleksi Morgan

51:36:00

9

23

Ole Bergset

54:32:00

10

19

Jay/Nikolai Morgan

57:03:00

 

28

Lisa T

DNF


Intermediate 4.5km; 12 Participants

Place

Start#

Name

Time

1

12

Kirsten Severud

37:17:00

2

9

Jennifer Smackey

37:50:00

3

33

Lauren H

40:44:00

4

16

Mary Hardy

41:41:00

5

26

Innes Wright

43:23:00

6

7

Keeley Elisaon

48:40:00

7

22

Ford Family

50:31:00

8

10

Matt/Heather Steele

1:14:06

9

15

Lauren/Teagan Scott

1:21:26

10

34

Heather Cooper

1:21:27

DQ

1

John Murray*

35:47:00

 

27

Katrina Wright

DNF

*Due to Orienteering USA Rule A7.5 "... Individuals or groups visiting the closed venue shall not be eligible for competition, awards, or rankings, but they may nevertheless participate in the event." 

Sport 3.1km; 7 participants

Place

Start#

Name

Time

1

6

Britini Gates

42:46:00

2

13

Michail Fragkias

55:20:00

3

30

Brett2 Smith

56:59:00

4

18

Reese Russell

57:12:00

5

29

Brett1 Smith

1:01:13

6

24

Dan/Debbie DeVonce

1:16:02

 

11

Marcella Mink

MP

Split time for each control on courses may be accessed using the link below. Use it to see how you stacked against others on the course and where you may have lost time.

Split times, WinSplits Online

Here are a few photos from the event; if you have any additional please share them via the meetup site!

Fun in the sun!


All Smiles


View of Town


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