Greenbelt

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January 22
Sunday

Greenbelt Park Sign

Welcome back to Greenbelt National Park, MD, where a full set of courses will be offered, courtesy of course designer Chris Gross; course stats & comments are now posted below.

Note: This event will be by pre-registration ONLY. We are not allowed to offer day-of registration at the event site due to park rules. Pre-registration is now open: Register and pay via this link.

Timing: Check-in for pre-registered participants will be from 10:45am to 1:15pm, who may start anytime between 11 - 1:30. Everyone must be out of the woods and back at the registration/finish area by 3:00pm, which is when we will begin picking up the controls.

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.

Special Training! An intermediate level training session, open to up to 10 QOC members, will be conducted by Jon Torrance, starting at 1:00pm; meet at the start. This will consist of a guided map walk of the brown course during the course of which Jon will explain his orienteering process, what he pays attention to on the map and in the terrain, try to answer any and all questions, etc. This is aimed primarily at people who either currently run orange courses or have just stepped up from orange to advanced courses and are wondering what the other people they see on course, not moving any faster than they are, are doing to get consistently faster times. Those who feel they've mastered yellow courses and are ready to run orange are also likely to benefit. If you'd like to take part, contact Jon - participants will be accepted on a strict first come, first served basis (and depending on the level of interest, expect similar training to be offered once or more later this season). Update: Chris has kindly designed a beige course with less overlap with the orange course or any other course than the brown course, so the map walk will use that course and anyone on it who would usually run brown can do so beforehand without much fear of experiencing deja vu later.

Additional information:

  • Online registration will remain open up until 1 PM on the day of the event. However, if you register after 8pm on Saturday, January 21, you must bring a copy of the registration confirmation with you - paper or digital copy.
  • Parking may be limited; please carpool if possible.
  • Dogs are welcome, so long as they are on a leash at all times.
  • We do have access to full restroom facilities.
  • There are no entrance fees to this park, and parking is also free.
  • Water will be provided on all courses except white and yellow. Do not drink from the jugs. Use the cups that are provided.
  • Have any questions? Just use our Contact Us form and fire away.

Location

Greenbelt National Park, Sweetgum Parking, Greenbelt, MD (Classic)

RegistrationPre-registration is now open: Register and pay via this link. See note above about when registration closes.
Start TimesYou may start your course at any time during the start window listed below for your event.
ScheduleSunday, January 22
11:00 am - 3:00 pmClassic:
Volunteers
Event Director:Jody Landers
Course Designer:Chris Gross
Training Coordinator:Jon Torrance
Location Details

Classic
Greenbelt National Park
Sweetgum Parking
Greenbelt, MD
Google Map

From the I-495 Beltway (which is also I-95 in this section): Take Exit 23 Route 201 Kenilworth Avenue South (toward Bladensburg). You will soon see the sign for Route 193 Greenbelt Road; veer right to take Route 193 East, and take the left onto Greenbelt Road . (Greenbelt Road is Route 193 and passes over Route 201) The park entrance is a quarter mile further on the right hand side of Greenbelt Road, across from TGI Fridays restaurant and a Marriott Courtyard hotel. Follow the orienteering signs to the parking area (Sweetgum or nearby, depending on which has space).
Google Maps Link
Apple/iPhone Link
Course DetailsClassic
Course NameLength (km)Climb (m)No. Controls
White 23011
Yellow 2.7609
Orange 49011
Brown 3.89510
Green 5.213013
Red 7.420018
Course NotesClassic

Welcome back to what may be the most conveniently located orienteering venue for many living in the District. Attempts were made to, (1) not duplicate legs used during the last five events, and (2) utilize the many areas of fast, open or semi-open woods that exist throughout the park. The Red course, in particular, employs a seldom-used and relatively fast section of the park.

Greenbelt has been re-mapped recently and the map tends to be very accurate. I’m guessing some of the rootstocks were from the previous map, as they have deteriorated to the point of being non-features. Any rootstocks that are used as control features will be substantial (up to 3.5 meters tall).

The light green and light slash tends to be very runnable. The dark green and heavy slash is … well, dark green and to be avoided. Some precise vegetation navigation will be required on a few legs on each advanced course.

Every course except the White and Yellow will cross the main stream that bisects the park. Crossing the stream is not allowed at any point other than the two bridge crossings shown on the map. This is a condition the park insists on. Maps will be marked very clearly showing the stream is out of bounds.

Every course except the White will cross the main park road. While the speed limit is low and drivers tend to be very respectful, please exercise caution when crossing or running along roads in the park.

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.
  • If you have access to a smartphone, you may become a member at the event by joining online via this webpage (which also explains the member benefits). Membership is completely optional. If you wish to join or renew, we strongly recommend joining (or renewing) online before the event rather than at it to save time and because it's easier.
  • 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.
  • 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 (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.