Saturday, March 23, 2024
Raccoon Creek State Park
(30 miles West of Pittsburgh)
3 hour and 6 hour foot race "mini" rogaine (orienteering - scavenger hunt)
 

Registration for this event will open at noon on February 1, 2024

To view 2023 results, go to Raccoongaine XIII Results

In a rogaine-style format, individuals or teams have a fixed time (3 or 6 hours in this event) to visit as many checkpoints as possible; walking, running and resting as they see fit. The checkpoints are spread over a large area, and are pre-marked on a map issued shortly before the start of the event. Point values for visiting each control vary (and are specified in advance) depending on such factors as distance from the start/finish area, elevation, navigational complexity. Here is a link to a 4 sq km sample of the terrain

Participants in a Rogaine come from diverse backgrounds: hikers, walkers, cross-country runners, trail runners, adventure racers, ultra runners, orienteers, hashers and family groups. Widely varying levels of competitive intensity are found, going from the casual stroller who wants a little variety added to the weekend hike to the serious athlete. Map reading skill is perhaps the most important technique needed. Route planning strategy is also very important since there won't be time to get all the controls, so the choice of which to try for is crucial in maximizing scores.

Times:  The mass start is at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 23 for both the 3-hour and 6-hour race. The registration desk opens at 8:00 am. Maps will be distributed at 9:00 am. There is a mandatory meeting at 9:45 am. at the start location for all participants.

Organizers: Western Pennsylvania Orienteering Club - website    www.wpoc.org

Start/Finish area: Rec Hall in Raccoon Creek State Park. Located 30 miles West of Pittsburgh, near the town of Frankfort Springs. Rec Hall is located 1.3 miles west of the park headquarters which is on route 18. Directions: from Pittsburgh, take Parkway West (I-376) in direction towards the airport. Change to Route 22 West, and exit route 22 at Route 18. Follow Route 18 for 6 miles to the north to park headquarters, and follow signs and road for 1.3 miles West to Rec Hall.  GPS coordinates of park headquarters:  N 40.503216, W 80.424227   Here is a Google map showing the location of park headquarters

Provided Equipment: A special-purpose topographic map at a 1:15,000 scale and 5 meter contour interval with a clear plastic bag will be provided to each participant.  The map will be on two 11x17 sheets whose areas overlap.  In addition to maps, each team or solo competitor will be provided control descriptions and an SI card for recording found controls. Water is available at the base camp and at selected points marked on the map. Food will be available at the end of event. Recommended equipment: compass, whistle, water bottle or camelbak, watch, snack food, sunscreen.

Rules: No help from others is allowed during the races away from the base camp. If in a team, team members must stay within sight and speaking distance throughout the event.  Portable GPS systems are allowed as long as the intention is to simply record the route taken for later analysis, discussion and sharing.

Checkpoints: Each checkpoint is marked by an orange/white 3-sided control, with sides approximately one foot square. The control flags will usually be visible from some distance, not intentionally concealed, but also not in view of trails or roads. There will be about 50 control points distributed throughout the mapped areas.

Scoring: The point value of all control points visited is totaled. The lateness penalty will be 11 points for every minute late. Tie scores will be decided by the order of finishing times.  If in a team, all members of the team must be present at the finish.  After finishing, the team will need to download the information from their SI card to get a score and a report on their progress through the course.

Categories: There are three age categories:  Elite (age 20 and over), Masters (age 40 and over), and Veterans (age 55 and over).  Within each of these categories there are  gender categories:  Men, Women, and Mixed.  You will be placed in the most competitive category that fits all team members.  As examples, a team of three women age 40, 44, and 57 would be in the Masters, Women category; and a team of two men age 22 and 63 would be in the Elite, Men category.  Team members under age 20 are not considered in determining age category unless all are under age 20; then the team is Elite.

Entry Information: Entries received by noon on 9 March 2024 will pay a fee of $35 per person for the 6-hr event and $20 for the 3 hour event. After that, the fees are $45 for the 6-hr event, and $27 for the 3-hr event. At noon on 16 March 2024, registration will be cut off.  There will be no on-site registration.  The 3-hour race is limited to 40 people; the 6-hour race is limited to 60 people.   ALL registration must be done online using the link provided above.  There is a $8 discount per person for members of WPOC on the 6-hour event and a $5 discount per person for members of WPOC on the 3-hour event. Discounts are refunded in cash at the event.