Patuxent

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February 11
Saturday

Pre-registration is required and will open on Monday, Feb. 6 at 6pm and close at noon on *Friday* Feb. 10.
There will be no day-of registration.

It’s that time year……time to BUMBLE!!!

This year marks the beginning of the second decade of this annual event. The 11 th Bumble will be held at Patuxent River Park, an excellent map created by Dave Linthicum, with new updates from Dave as well as Mike Dvorsky. Never experienced the Bumble and wondering what it is? The Bumble is a cool (no pun intended) winter event with courses for all skill levels.

The main event of the Bumble is the Mass Start race, which comprises five advanced courses equivalent to beige – blue. The controls are spread over five “windows” and each course level requires a different “handicap” of windows that must be run. For instance, Beige must do one window; blue must do five. Click HERE to read the full description. It is a super fun style of orienteering with options for bonus time reductions! If you have never tried it but have been successfully completing orange level courses for a while, give this a try. Click HERE to see last year's course, and HERE to view 2022's Bumble photos. There will also be great white, yellow, and orange courses on this diverse terrain that ranges from fields and flat areas to numerous gullies and wetlands!

The mass start will be at 12:00pm for those advanced course runners who want to participate. If you want to run a Bumble advanced course, but are not comfortable with a mass start, please sign up for one of the other start time windows. Mass starters, please be sure to arrive early to avoid a last-minute rush.

Registration and downloading will be IN THE PAVILLION by the Old Barn. There are warm portable bathrooms close by and plenty of parking. If the weather is nice, consider bringing lunch and hanging out and chatting about your courses. It is especially fun to compare window routes. The pavilion has lots of tables, there is a playground on site, and we will fire up a couple of grills to toast marshmallows (thanks to Jane Leggett). We will also announce the Bumble winners and hand out their prizes.

PLEASE read ALL meet notes below for important details! (Course setter notes will be posted later this week)

Meet notes:

• CLICK HERE TO READ HOW THE BUMBLE WORKS!
• White, Yellow, and Orange courses will have regular check in/start windows from 9:45am to 1:15pm. (Yes, you are welcome to register for the 11:45am-12:15pm window).
• Advanced (Bumble) courses will have a MASS START at NOON. Please be ready for PRE-RACE briefing at 11:45am at the Start location (~175 meters from the pavilion)
• Clothing drop available for mass start; clothes will be returned for pick up in the Pavilion.
• Everyone must be out of the woods by 3:00pm, which is when we will begin picking up controls.
• Bumble prizes awarded (mass start only):
  • First male and first female competitors to cross the finish, regardless of course.
  • Fastest male competitor on Blue and fastest female competitor on Red

• QOC will continue to use pre-registration as the ONLY method of sign-up for our events. There will be NO day-of, on-site registration. Refunds are paid only in the case of event cancellation. We are unable to handle cash transactions at the event.
• Masks are optional at all locations connected with the event. Please continue to minimize clustering at and around the check-in, e-punch, start and finish areas.
• Beginner instruction is available to provide an overview of the orienteering basics for newcomers to the sport or those who just want a refresher.
• We will continue our policy of not providing WATER or food to participants at our events aside from an emergency water for first aid purposes only. So don't forget your canteens/Camelbacks/other hydration arrangements.

• Any large groups planning to attend the event or anyone with questions please contact the Event Directors.
• The size of start teams (groups of individuals orienteering together with one e-punch) on a course must be no more than four (4) individuals (juniors and adults combined).
• Pets are permitted in the park but must be leashed at all times.
• Bathrooms on site!