Fox chase Score-O, September 10

Registration for this event is closed.

On Sunday, 10 September at 10:00 AM, we will hold our annual 90-minute “Fox Chase Score-O” at Carolina North Forest in Chapel Hill. The event is open only to advanced orienteers (i.e. those who have completed an orange, brown, green, or red course). We will meet at 9:45 in the parking lot of the county health building (GPS coordinates = 35.94849, -79.06546) and then walk en masse to the start. After reading the description of this event below, register here before Friday, 08 Sept at 5:00 PM.

Please note that this event will be the first of our 2023/2024 season. If you anticipate participating in a number of events in the coming year, it is the perfect time to purchase our annual pass. Passes will cover your entry fee for events from September 2023 to September 2024, and cost $45 for an individual or $65 for a family. You can purchase an annual pass from our online store, here.

A “Score-O” involves a course with no predetermined route, in which competitors decide which controls they want to visit, and in which order. The “Fox Chase” version of a Score-O has two additional features that make it especially fun and interesting. First, a punched control will score points only if it is followed by another punch (within the time limit) of a common control, #40. For example, a successful series of punches might look like: 56, 40, 72, 40, 63, 40, 58, 40, etc. The sequence: 56, 40, 72, 40, 63, 58, 40 would not score the points associated with control #63 because it was not followed by #40. It would score points for 56, 72, and 58, though.

Second, at the start of the race, the event director will walk at an even, brisk pace around the main loop trail on the east side of the park (aka, the Pumpkin Loop). He will be carrying control #40 as well as the finish punch. Thus, you must plan your returns to control #40 to a constantly moving position. The route walked by the director will be marked on the map. The loop will take approximately 45 minutes for the director to walk, so the event will be over when the second loop is completed. (You can of course stop sooner and your accumulated score will still count.)

It is important that you are at the park and ready to run for the pre-race briefing and walk to the start at 9:45 AM. If you arrive late, the event director will be out on the course and you will not be able to participate. Note that bathroom facilities will not be available at the start.