Willamette Mission State Park Night-O, near Salem, OR
Oct 04 2008

DESCRIPTION
The club has not had an event at Willamette Mission for several years, so this meet should be a chance to try some new ground.
We can't guarantee the weather, but the course is flat, the controls are on trails or open grassland, and the company will be good.



This event is designated as an "advanced" event "for club members" because:

- The event is a Night-O, which means the course is run in the dark with only flashlights, maps and compasses for navigation. The weather forecast is rain.

- The event is also a Score-O format with a strict time limit -- a single a mass-start staring time, and all contestants must return to the starting point not later than 90 minutes after the start. No exceptions. Runners must manage their time carefully.

- There will be very limited capability to look for lost/late runners.

- There are no instruction sessions available for beginners.



There will be a total of 22 controls to find. About 12 of them are located within 500 meters of the start, and most of those are accessible along paved or bark-dust trails or across open grassy fields.

In a Score-O format, you attempt to visit as many controls as you can within a specified maximum time -- the person with most controls wins, and if there is a tie, the shortest time wins.

About 6-8 controls nearest to the starting point are of navigational difficulty comparable to an Orange course, but because it is a Score-O format, there is no specified order (rough route) between controls to help plan your route.



If you are willing to take the "risk" of running a Night-O in the rain (and sign the liability waiver), and think you have the skill and emotional maturity to enjoy the experience, you are welcome.




SCHEDULE

Saturday October 4, 2008

Paul and Mal will set all controls on Saturday afternoon



4:00 pm (approx) All controls set for use by map hikers (self-service, no timer)

5:45 pm Gathering and set-up for social,

6:00 pm Begin registration

6:00 pm to 7:00 pm Potluck Social

7:00 to 7:15 Late registration, Briefing by course setters

7:15 Mass start for both 60 minute and 90 minute Score-O Night-O (may be delayed if not dark enough)

8:15 Finish of 60 minute race

8:45 Finish of 90 minute race




director: Mal Harding

Directions: DRIVING DIRECTIONS to Willamette Mission State Park:

From I5 south of Portland, between Woodburn and Salem, Take Exit 263 Brooklake Road (sign to Silverton, Gervais, and a large gasoline station and truck stop)
Go west on Brooklake Road 0.7 mile to the stop light at River Road
Continue west on Brooklake Road for an additional 1.1 miles to the T junction with Wheatland Ferry Road
Turn right (north) on Wheatland Road for 2.4 miles to the main gate entrance to Willamette Mission State Park
Turn left (west) into the park, staying on the straight-ahead main road for 1.9 miles to the end of the road in the "Filbert Grove" parking area.

The potluck and the Start/Finish will be in the large covered picnic shelter at the north end of the parking lot.