Discussion: Maps for Short Course Events
in: Orienteering; General
Oct 15, 2004 10:02 PM
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lizk:
What is the minimum amount of land (acres or sq km) needed to run a short course event (W-Blue)? Assume that the area has a trail network and lots of features (rock and water).
Oct 15, 2004 11:45 PM
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lizk:
Assume also that the area has interesting topography (lots of knolls, saddles, reentrants, etc.) Thanks for any comments and advice.
Oct 16, 2004 3:40 AM
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One square kilometer (km2) is very close to 250 acres.
The map used for this year's RMOC short/ middle Team Trials measures approximately 2.8 km2. This terrain was fast, so the courses were longer than normal. About 1.0 km2 was not used by the courses.
Given the assumptions above and assuming a single stage event, I'll throw out 2.0 km2 as a safe minimum. If we assume that the area is 100% usable (rarely true) and that the course design is above average, this figure might come down to 1.5 or even 1.25 km2.
The area used for the previous Team Trials in Harriman (part of a larger map) was about 1.25 km2, and I think this was near optimal efficiency.
The areas used for the two stages at the 1995 Short Champs (Valley Forge Fatlands) were about 0.9 and 1.2 km2, two parts of a 3.0 km2 map. Keep in mind these were shorter events/ stages (20 - 25 min?) than our current standard (30 - 35 min?)
Perhaps a 1.0 km2 area could be found and used successfully for a 30 - 35 minute single stage, championship quality short/middle event, but I wouldn't advise for it without first seeing complete mapping and rough course design.
The map used for this year's RMOC short/ middle Team Trials measures approximately 2.8 km2. This terrain was fast, so the courses were longer than normal. About 1.0 km2 was not used by the courses.
Given the assumptions above and assuming a single stage event, I'll throw out 2.0 km2 as a safe minimum. If we assume that the area is 100% usable (rarely true) and that the course design is above average, this figure might come down to 1.5 or even 1.25 km2.
The area used for the previous Team Trials in Harriman (part of a larger map) was about 1.25 km2, and I think this was near optimal efficiency.
The areas used for the two stages at the 1995 Short Champs (Valley Forge Fatlands) were about 0.9 and 1.2 km2, two parts of a 3.0 km2 map. Keep in mind these were shorter events/ stages (20 - 25 min?) than our current standard (30 - 35 min?)
Perhaps a 1.0 km2 area could be found and used successfully for a 30 - 35 minute single stage, championship quality short/middle event, but I wouldn't advise for it without first seeing complete mapping and rough course design.
Oct 20, 2004 5:24 PM
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What's wrong Liz? You worried that Cliff Cave ain't big enough for a short course at Intercollegiate's next spring ;)
Cliff Cave has between 1 and 1.5 km^2 usable, depending on where you put start and finish. I think the shortest I've ever completed a 1-loop competition course there is 20 minutes. I've run training courses there that took closer to 40. 30 minutes is probably right on the edge of what's possible for a 100 point blue runner, but I expect winning times will be a couple minutes below the standard.
Cliff Cave has between 1 and 1.5 km^2 usable, depending on where you put start and finish. I think the shortest I've ever completed a 1-loop competition course there is 20 minutes. I've run training courses there that took closer to 40. 30 minutes is probably right on the edge of what's possible for a 100 point blue runner, but I expect winning times will be a couple minutes below the standard.
Oct 20, 2004 10:16 PM
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lizk:
No... not at all, Eric (B). I'm already planning for 2006 when NEOC hopes to host the ICs. I have a great little area near our larger map that I'd like to use for the short course. I know you've got a good place for next year and I'm looking forward to running on the Cliff Cave map.
This discussion thread is closed.