Hoyles Mill

Important Information on Course Lengths

As in past years, all of the advanced courses – Beige through Blue are part of the BUMBLE and are longer than usual. That said, 2 of the 5 windows are in mowed open areas of the Recreational Park (about 6.5k total for both) and controls range from beginner to intermediate level of difficulty. The other 3 windows are advanced level woods courses in Hoyles Mill Park. All course lengths and climb are ESTIMATED and based on selecting windows that result in the least distance that could be traveled.

If you have never participated in the Bumble, no worries. You are simply running an advanced course that has a different format – windows – and is longer than usual! PLEASE read the information below so that fully understand this format.

MAP NOTES

This event utilizes terrain on two very distinct parks on ONE map – South Germantown Recreational Park, which includes large grassy areas, roads, paved trails, parking lots, and distinct features nestled in open fields/areas. Soccer fields are distinctly mapped and are OUT OF BOUNDS; DO NOT walk or run on them! Please also be careful crossing roads and parking areas. The recreational park is widely used by the community! Lastly, the Archery and Driving ranges (located to the west of the power line) are also out of bounds and will be marked as such.

Hoyles Mill is a beautiful, rather secluded wooden area that is mostly flat, with the exception of one area which has medium climb. Contours are subtle and some areas are bland with point features. Rock is rather abundant. There is extra unmapped rock, however, what is mapped is very prominent. There are also plenty of rocks to assist with water crossings, as well as a bridge that enters the northern most Bumble window. Green varies widely across the map but is well defined. There are thorny sections (to keep you on your toes – ha ha!) Corridors of white do exist! For those on the intermediate and advanced courses, you will enjoy your experience more if you WEAR GAITERS / PANTS. For advanced runners selecting to run the western most window, please note that SCHAEFFER ROAD is out of bounds and will be marked as such.

For BUMBLE/Advanced, the entire map (both parks) is rotated 20 degrees to the east in order to fit the map on the paper. In other words, NORTH LINES will be angled, not vertical.

COURSE NOTES:
White and yellow courses will be exclusively in the Recreational Park. Orange course will begin in the Recreational Park but head into the wooden areas of Hoyles Mill Park. Again, DO NOT cross or walk on the soccer fields and be careful crossing park roads and parking lots.

Bumble Notes (advanced courses):

The advanced courses comprise a first and last control (both mandatory) and 5 windows that contain 5 controls each. There are NO controls in between windows. The windows vary in size, and each competitor, depending on their orienteering level, will have a handicap that will determine how many windows he/she/they must run. To have the most fun on the course, we recommend that you select a level based on the normal course you run at local QOC Meets; you do not have to run your IOF age group.

As per normal window rules, you must visit EVERY control in the window, but the controls inside each window may be taken in any order the runner decides. Adding another twist, each competitor, depending on his or her handicap, will be able to determine which of the windows he/she/they want/s to run. For example, if the handicap is 3 windows, the competitor can decide which 3 of the 5 windows he/she/they want/s to include. And because there are no mandatory controls in between the windows, you can choose the order to run the windows in, if you have two or more windows.

As mentioned above, due to COVID-19 protocols, we will NOT have a mass start. Instead, we have organized start times to allow for “mini” group starts so that competitors will have a few people to “run” with, and potentially “follow” which is one of the fun aspects of a mass/group start.

So the race will go like this: You punch the start box (during your scheduled start window), turn over your map, and head to the FIRST control (mandatory). Part of your course planning is to select which windows you would like to visit (and in which order) based on your course handicap. Once you enter your first window (after punching the FIRST mandatory control), you must complete all of the controls within a window before continuing. When you have completed ALL of your chosen window(s), you must then visit the course’s LAST control (mandatory) before heading to the finish where you will punch the finish box. Part of the fun is figuring out which way will be the quickest based on your physical and navigation strengths.

A sample window is shown at right.

Bumble Course / Handicap (# of Required Windows)
Beige / 1
Brown / 2
Green / 3
Red / 4
Blue / 5

Those with the most generous handicap will travel a minimum of approximately 3.7k, while those with the least favorable handicap will run a minimum of approximately 14.6k. All others will fall somewhere in between depending on route choices. If racers select the course appropriate for their skill/fitness level, which should be your usual O-course (again, no need to run your IOF age group, run up and enjoy more of the course!), then everyone should conceivably finish with the same amount of time on their course.

David and I are very exciting to be able to bring the BUMBLE to fruition this year in a fun and safe way. We look forward to seeing you soon!