UMD College Park

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November 26
Sunday

UMDWelcome to QOC’s event at the University of Maryland at College Park. The UMD event is always special as it is one of the few “urban” meets we offer, with runners (or bikers) having to navigate through a university campus rather than through the woods. This event will be a 90 minute Score-O (bring a watch!); details about scoring and timing are now posted below (see the Course Setter comments), including the possibility of bringing your bike and treating this like an MTBO Sprint.

We will also be using a new registration area, a bit east of the area we formerly used. Registration will be held at Hornbake Plaza, which is the open area on the right-hand side of Campus Drive as you enter from Route 1, just after passing the traffic circle with the big "M." Parking is in Lots 1B-1F. To get there from Hornbake Plaza, continue up the hill on Campus Drive, then take the right-hand fork just past the Stamp Student Union onto Union Drive. Continue to the end of the road and park in any of the lots on the left. Do not park in any lot not labeled 1B-1F, or you may be ticketed.

Registration will be open from 10:45 am to 1:15 pm and runners may start anytime between 11am to 1:30pm. Everyone must be back at registration/finish area by 3:00 pm, which is when we will begin picking up the course markers.

As with all QOC events, we will have free newcomer instruction at this event. A QOC member will show you how to read a map, teach you how to use a compass with your map and give you hints how to navigate your choice of course. Besides that, wear comfortable clothes and bring running shoes.

Finally, because this event is being hosted at UMD, there will be special entry fee discounts for UMD students: the charge for UMD students (with ID) will be only $2, and the event will be totally free for all TTC members (normal rate: $10 for non-members).

Upcoming Event! All QOC orienteers are encouraged to attend the Mid-Atlantic Champs next Sunday (Dec. 3) at Fair Hill NRMA, and you can sign-up now to reserve a seat on our charter bus via the event webpage.

Have a question? Feel free to ask any time using our Contact Us form.

Location

U. Maryland, College Park, Hornbake Plaza (Score-O)
RegistrationNo advance registration required. Just show up and have fun!
Start TimesYou may start your course at any time during the start window listed below for your event.
ScheduleSunday, November 26
11:00 am - 3:00 pmScore-O:
Volunteers
Event Director:Iva Zicha
Course Designer:Don Fish
Location Details

Score-O
U. Maryland, College Park
Hornbake Plaza
Google Map

Registration will be held at Hornbake Plaza, which is the open area on the right-hand side of Campus Drive as you enter from Route 1, just after passing the traffic circle with the big "M." Parking is in Lots 1B-1F. To get there from Hornbake Plaza, continue up the hill on Campus Drive, then take the right-hand fork just past the Stamp Student Union onto Union Drive. Continue to the end of the road and park in any of the lots on the left. Do not park in any lot not labeled 1B-1F, or you may be ticketed.

From the Beltway: Travel to exit 25 and get on Rt 1 heading south. Then travel about 2 miles south on Rt 1 and turn right on Campus Drive (entering the University of Maryland).

From Baltimore: Take I-95 S, and at the Capital Beltway (I-495) take the exit for Rt 1 south (to College Park). Travel about 2 miles south on Rt 1 and turn right on Campus Drive (entering the University of Maryland).

From Washington DC downtown: Take Rt 1 (Baltimore Avenue) north to College Park. Turn left on Campus Drive in College Park city.
Course DetailsScore-O
Course NameLength (km)Climb (m)No. Controls
Combined 30
Score 30
Course NotesScore-O

There will be 30 controls scattered over a wide expanse of the University of Maryland College Park campus. Participants will be allowed a maximum time of 90 minutes to find all of the controls in any order desired, and return to the finish. One point will be awarded for each control punched, and one point will be deducted as a penalty for each minute over the 90 minute allotted timeframe. The fastest time combined with the most points will be the winner.

The special features marked with an X symbol on the control cue sheet could be any unusual item from a solar panel to a helicopter to a flagpole . The special features marked with an O symbol are always a garden area. DO NOT TRAMP THROUGH THE GARDENS. The controls will be positioned so that it will not be necessary to actually enter the garden to punch the control.

As a special bonus we are opening up this event to those who would rather ride their bikes than run. Bikers will be scored in the same manner as the foot Score-O, but the final results will be separate. Tell the folks at the registration table in which event you will be competing. You will have to dismount from your bike to punch in to some of the controls and to negotiate stairways, etc., but you should be able to get in the general vicinity of all of the controls on two wheels. BIKE COMPETITORS SHALL YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY TO RUNNERS AND OTHER CAMPUS PEDESTRIANS IN ALL CASES. If you choose to bike, please use common sense as to where you ride it on campus, especially if conditions are wet or muddy, as we'd like to be invited back for future events.
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.