Patuxent River Trail 10K

February 25
Saturday

Have a great time at QOC's 2nd Annual Patuxent River Trail 10K run, and you'll be supporting orienteering nationally as well as conservation efforts at this fine park. Funds raised from this race will be split equally between a donation to Patuxent River Park and one to the US National Orienteering Teams, which represent the United States in international orienteering competitions. Race proceeds will therefore support both a variety of conservation activities and wildlife projects including wetland restoration, invasive species removal, wildlife monitoring activities, river clean-up events and environmental education programs, and US elite orienteers in their efforts to excel in international competition. Last year's trail race here was a great success (read a review here), and yes, it is a "straight" trail run - no orienteering or even map involved! - so spread the word to all your compass-avoiding friends!

The Date & Time: Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. Race start is 10 a.m.

The Course: A 10 km loop on the park’s natural surface trails and fields. The course is mostly relatively flat, with occasional dips into and then climbs out of the park's stream valleys, but like anywhere else around here in late February it could be muddy, snowy or icy on race day. The course will be the same as last year's course except that it will follow a newly constructed segment of the park's Red trail where it previously ran along the park entrance road for a few hundred meters - see map here. Note that in addition to the new trail section being used, one of the two water stops has moved from the trail junction it was at last year to the second road crossing.

Patuxent Park trail The Location: Patuxent River Park, Upper Marlboro, MD. Gmap link here.

The Awards: As if supporting the Park and getting freebies isn't enough? Well, there will be awards for the top 3 men and women overall and in each of the following 10 year age groups: 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 & over. Manual timing will be used.

Registration: Cost is $20 until February 1, 2012, then $25 through Feb. 23. Registration will be offered online through February 23rd with payment online or by mailing a check we receive by Feb. 23; race day registration ($30) will be offered (cash or check accepted). A commemorative race item is guaranteed for those whose registration is received by February 1st, and until we run out for all others. Door prizes will also be given away. And the first 100 runners to register will receive a 2012 Trail Run Calendar from Trail Runner magazine!

Packet pick up will be held from 9am until 9:45am at the race arena. Please arrive early to ensure you aren’t rushed getting ready for the start.

Directions: from the Capital Beltway (I-495), take Exit 11A, (Pennsylvania Ave), Route 4 east for 8 miles. Take Route 301 south for 1.7 miles. Turn left on Croom Station Road and continue for 1.6 miles. Turn left on Croom Road (Route 382) and proceed for 1.5 miles. Turn left on Croom Airport Road and continue for 2 miles. At park entrance, continue straight towards the Group Camp Area. Turn right into the parking area when you reach a large field on the right hand side of the road.

From Routes 50/301, take Route 301 south for 15 miles. Turn left onto Croom Station Road and continue as described above.

Refund policy: no refunds will be given for any reason. In the event of a cancellation due to inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled in March. Participants may apply their fee to enter other QOC events in 2012 if the rescheduled date isn’t convenient for them. Details will be posted on the registration site itself.

Click on the imATHLETE logo here to register: