Patapsco McKeldin

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May 11
Sunday

McKeldin woodsThe 'Spring Tumble' is here - along with regular courses, thanks to course setter Dan Quinn and event director Lydia Andrews!

Regular courses: beginner (white and yellow), intermediate (orange), and one advanced course (brown) are available as usual. Register for these courses at the event anytime between 10:45 - 1:15, start anytime between 11 - 1:30, and be back no later than 3pm. Course lengths and notes are posted below and there's nothing tricky about these courses.

The Spring Tumble: Advanced orienteers (typical green, red, blue course runners) are encouraged to try this Stumble + Billygoat mashup. There are six windows (sets) of controls, connected by obligatory (single) controls. Based on your normal course and gender, you'll need to visit a pre-determined number of those windows, finding all the controls in that window in any order you wish. Which windows are your choice. For example, a male runner who normally runs a Green course will need to choose which 4 of the 6 windows to visit (and which two to skip). There's a Mass Start at Noon and a pre-race briefing at 11:45am; to guarantee yourself a map, pre-register (and pay) using the link below. If you really can't make the mass start, you can start the course after noon but you still must be back by 3pm. [No dogs at the mass start, please.] Here's how many windows each person will run:

  • Green course orienteers: men, 4; women, 3
  • Red course orienteers: men, 5, women, 4
  • Blue course orienteers: men, all 6; women, 5

Total course length for Spring Tumble runners will depend on which windows are chosen and the order in which controls are visited in those windows, but optimally, those with the least windows will run ~6km and those will all six windows will go run at least 8km.

We hope that everyone has a fine time, and that advanced orienteers choose to start at Noon as part of the Spring Tumble. Mass start events provide orienteers with a different set of challenges - and opportunities (like following if you dare) and this event should be a great way to enjoy one of our favorite parks.

Any youth or large groups attending, please contact the Event Director so that we can coordinate pre-registration for your group; the group registration and waiver form is part of the information on our Group Leaders page.

Mother's Day Specials! Event Director Lydia Andrews has found several fine restaurants all in nearby Turf Valley Town Square where you can celebrate after your run. Each should have a special (click to their websites):

Grille 620, 410-203-0620

  • 11099 Resort Road, Suite 304, Ellicott City, MD 21042
  • Special Mother's Day menu; Reservations highly recommended
Xitomate, 410-988-4354
  • 11085 Resort Road, Suite 404, Ellicott City, MD 21042
  • Unlimited mimosas for Mothers, brunch until 5 pm; 2-6 happy hour
Facci, 410-750-0001
  • 11095 Resort Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042
  • Special Mother's Day brunch menu from 11-3
RedParrot Asian Bistro, 410-480-9388
  • 11105 Resort Road, Ellicott City, MD
  • Mother's Day special

Location

Patapsco Valley State Park, McKeldin Area, Shelter 576, Marriottsville, MD (Classic Orienteering + Spring Tumble)

RegistrationAdvance registration is strongly encouraged for Spring Tumble (click here). Preregistration closes midnight Friday.
Participants on White, Yellow, Orange and Brown courses will register at the event as usual.
Start TimesWhite, Yellow, Orange, Brown courses: Start anytime between 11 - 1:30 (and be done no later than 3pm).
Spring Tumble course: Start at Noon (pre-race briefing at 11:45am).
ScheduleSunday, May 11
11:00 am - 3:00 pmClassic Orienteering + Spring Tumble:
Volunteers
Event Director:Lydia Andrews
Course Designer:Dan Quinn
Location Details

Classic Orienteering + Spring Tumble
Patapsco Valley State Park
McKeldin Area, Shelter 576
Marriottsville, MD
Google Map

From I-695/I-70 West take I-70 to Marriottsville Rd. (Exit 83). Go North on Marriottsville Rd. for 4 miles to the park entrance on the right. After paying park entrance fees, follow O-signs to shelter #576.

From I-70 East take Rt. 40 (Exit 82, Balt. Natl. Pike) to Marriottsville Rd. Turn left. Park entrance is 5 miles on the right. After paying park entrance fees, follow O-signs to shelter #576.

Course DetailsClassic Orienteering + Spring Tumble
Course NameLength (km)Climb (m)No. Controls
White 2.2607
Yellow 3.11059
Orange 4.212510
Brown 3.98010
Tumble 3
Tumble 4
Tumble 5
Tumble 6
Tumble
Course NotesClassic Orienteering + Spring Tumble

White & Yellow courses: map scale is 1:5000. The Yellow course is more technical than the White, in addition to being longer, and so this is probably not the best Yellow course for those moving up for the first time from a White course.

Orange course: The Orange (intermediate) course is slightly shorter than the typical Orange course.

Spring Tumble: Maps will be at 1:10000 scale.

Entry FeesIndividual Entries

Note: juniors = under 21

Club Member, adult Club Member, junior Non-Member, adult Non-Member, junior
Epunch Owner $5 $5 $10 $5
Epunch Borrower $10 $5 $15 $10

Team or Group Entries

Participants are welcome to compete together as a single team entry. Teams containing one or more nonmembers are charged the nonmember individual rate. Teams containing one or more adults are charged the adult individual rate. For teams to receive member or junior rates, all members of the team must be members or juniors, respectively. Each extra team map beyond the first is an additional $2. Individuals or teams desiring to compete on a second course can do so for a reduced fee of $2/map.

Important Notes
  • At the event, we can only accept payment in cash or check; online, you may use a credit card or PayPal account.
  • You may become a member at the event or by joining online 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 pay a higher entry fee (see above), which includes the loan of an epunch for that event. Loaned epunches that are lost incur a $40 replacement fee. Epunches (also known as SI-cards or finger sticks) are usually available for sale at each event as described here.
  • Compasses are available at no charge, but if lost incur a $15 replacement fee.
  • Please provide collateral (driver's license or car keys) when borrowing a compass or epunch.
  • For additional safety, whistles are available for sale at $1/each.
  • Free beginner instruction is always available - just ask at the registration table.