Genesee Country Village Nature Center - Classic Event

Location:  GCV Nature Center located in the far side of the parking lot from the main entrance to GCV

Registration:  11:45 to 1:15pm; Courses Close at 3pm

Starts: Noon to 1:30

Courses Available:

Beginner: 1.4km, 10 controls, 15m climb

Intermediate: 2.1km, 14 controls, 40m climb

Short Advanced: 3.6km, 21 controls, 75m climb

Long Advanced: 5.1km, 26 controls, 100m climb

**Please note that dogs are NOT allowed in the Nature Center or on the trails**

Course Setter's Notes:

While GCV has never been a high-frequency venue for us, it has a few unique features that make it a joy to run at.

Contours are only 2.5m and the entire map has 1 index contour. It’s flat but full of contour variation. It’s a great place to practice your contour reading on subtle features (preparing for a map like Rush Oak Openings)

There’s actually rock! If you look at many Northeast Orienteering maps, they are full of boulders. Our area differs heavily (and thus our course options) but here the map is full of boulders and rock clusters. Because of this, the size required to be mapped has been increased from what you may be used to. In general, a mapped boulder will be at least 1m tall

Scale: 1:5,000

Contours: 2.5m (there’s nothing steep in this park…)

A couple notes for all courses:

After a dry winter the marshes are fairly wet. All have a solid bottom, I wouldn’t expect any knee deep mud.

Trail conditions varied between a muddy top layer and solid ground. Only the largest trails are highly visible, following the smaller trails may prove challenging.

Sap lines (for maple syrup collection) are still up in 4 areas. This does not affect the beginner course and only a small impact on the intermediate course. The advanced courses will move through these areas several times. They are marked as slow running vegetation (green vertical lines in otherwise white forest, shown below). It’s typically very easy to move “cross valley” but much more challenging moving down valley. None should pose a significant challenge.

Some of the lines have already fallen and are below knee high. The remaining lines are largely between knee and shoulder height. They contrast well with the surrounding environment and are highly visible, cross with care.

The map has symbols for bird houses, bat houses and fallen trees from a previous iteration. These were not checked extensively in the last 5 years but appeared accurate at 1st glance.

This map was originally created for the installation of a permanent course during an Eagle Scout project. You will see some of these markers while on course, they are 4x4 wood posts with a placard on top, the placard has the control flag symbol on it.

This is a small park for us (especially the long course), you will see runners frequently that likely will not be on the same course/leg as you. Don’t let this distract you. Also there are a lot of flags out in certain areas, make sure to check every control code.

There is a significant amount of stony ground with only the most intense mapped, take care when running.

There are numerous signs & placards along the trails. In general these aren’t mapped, if they are highly prominent in that area they might be.

Remember to upload your route to LiveLox after the event so we can all learn from each other. Better yet, link LiveLox to your Strava account so routes automatically upload (it works great).

Beginner Course

Your course spans 2 separate trail systems, to get from Controls 4-5 you will be off trail. The path is marked with Orange streamer tape tied to trees/bushes every 20ft.

Intermediate Course

This course gets a little harder from Start to Finish with a variety of legs on/off trail.

Advanced Courses

Short and long courses are nearly identical with a few missing and reversed legs. Follow at your own peril.

The course has a map flip towards the end, both maps are at the same scale.

You will punch the same control multiple times, maintain your awareness while running.

Please thank Rick & Linda for all of their help making this event happen (especially hanging flags since I am away for the event).

Instruction is available at all events, just ask at the registration table.  Feel free to bring friends and family.

Pre-packaged snacks, fruit and jugs of water/Gatorade will be available.

Don't forget to sign up to volunteer and pre-register.

See you in the woods!