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Topic created by chand on Fri Dec 30, 2011 at 11:00 pm
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Reply by edscott on Sun Jan 1, 2012 at 0:07 amDon't jump to conclusions. This is probably in response to the "Mudfest". I suspect we will still be able to run our events. We have 30+/- on a course and seldom do more than a handful of people use exactly the same route. They have hundreds of runners covering the same course. I should have more concrete data after the weekend.
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Reply by Sswede on Sun Jan 1, 2012 at 9:00 amReading this article, I am concerned it will affect future orienteering events. It suggests providing for "events" (not individual courses) less than 25 participants if they all stay on trails. "It mars the real character and value of the park," Barnhardt said.
I'm all for maintaining our parks, but I guess I'm wondering what the "value" of a park is. As one who's run the Mudfest, I'm not sure what the problem is.The race is on trails and trash is minimal. As many orienteers know, this park has been victim to vandelism and illeagal dumping for many years, having more to do with the locals perhaps, not athletic groups who tend to respect these areas.
Barnhardt said. "It was run down for so many years and neglected for so many years. We want to build it back up." Fantastic! But bar it from many who truely enjoy and respect it? I'm not sure this will get them what they're looking for.
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Reply by WindWalker on Sun Jan 1, 2012 at 7:45 pm
These events are planned way ahead of time and some times Mother Nature isn't as friendly as we would like. Some times re-routes are in order, sometimes there just isn't enough time to get it in place for race day.
One year at the mountainbike race at French Creek it rained horribly, and I can say without a doubt the trails were trashes to an unrepairable state. The Park was made aware of the problem from other trail users within a few days after the race. They weren't happy and the future of the race was in jeopordy. The MTB community stepped up and repaired what they could and did some much needed re-routes. The race was allowed to continue under the condition that bad weather cancels.
800 runners as in the Mudfest can have the same effect as 300 bikes. Obviously the Mudfest race can't be cancelled, but I think it is in the best interest of the promoter to have alternate routes for bad weather condition.
Orienteering on the otherhand has very little impact, even in bad weather. Even with 1-200 entrants, there are very few spots were many travel over the same area. When you come to a muddy stream crossing how many times have you ever even seen another track? Sometimes, but not very often. Maybe that just says that I have bad route choices?
I think the land managers have the right and duty to be concerned about protecting the park from destructive use, but to ban ALL large events seems extreme. They should just take a more active roll in understanding what each event involves and study the impact of each event and what plans the promoter has for bad weather or post race clean-up and/or trail repair.
Just my 2 cents.
Happy New Year everybody.
Mike -
Reply by Guy-O on Mon Jan 2, 2012 at 1:38 amThese comments are worthless if the "deciders" don't hear them.
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Reply by edscott on Tue Jan 24, 2012 at 7:19 pmJust got the official OK. Two events are on the 2012 schedule.. We need course setters and event directors. Post here or email me.
