Point Pinole, Pinole

Saturday, May 15, 1999

"If the orienteering seems too easy, you're not running fast enough!" - Jorgen Martensson

In the spirit of the World Champion's oft-quoted phrase, we bring you the revival of BAOC's Sprint Champs at an all too rare Saturday event. East Bay Regional Park's Pt. Pinole and Steve Gregg's updated 1:10000, 2.5 meter map provide the perfect setting: a mix of open, semi-open, and eucalyptus forest overlaying a complex network of paths and now overgrown terrain altered by years of man's activities. This is the closest to European continental terrain that we get - only the continent cannot provide such fine views of San Pablo Bay.

This year's Sprint Champs will follow a modified-Motala event format, similar to that used successfully by Joe Scarborough at last fall's Joaquin Miller/Backroads events. Those doing the Sprint will first do a short (OK, everything is short at Pt. Pinole) Orange course to determine their "seeding". The top six seeds will proceed to a mass-started, three-looped Motala course: first across the finish is the 1999 Sprint Champ. The next six seeds will likewise do a mass-start, and on down the list, until everyone has had a chance to "sprint" head-to-head.

Is the word "sprint" not in your vocabulary? Well, we'll also have regular, point-to-point White, Yellow, and Orange courses. This place is too nice to miss a chance to check out its various pits, marshes, forested lanes, and Bay vistas, so come enjoy a spring day on the Bay!

And how do you get to this splendid spot? For everyone, except those coming to the East Bay via the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, take the Richmond Parkway exit west off of I-80, just north of Hilltop Mall. Pass San Pablo Ave., and take a right at the next light onto Atlas Rd. Head west approximately 1.5 miles, past the Detention Center to the park entrance on your right. For Marinites, et al, taking the Bridge, turn north off of I-580 in Pt. Richmond, onto the Richmond Parkway, to the Giant Hiway exit. Turn north off the offramp, then right (north) at the base of the hill onto the Giant Hiway. The park entrance will be on your left. Another option is AC Bus # 78 from the El Cerrito Del Norte BART station. Early arrivals who enter before the entry kiosk is staffed can avoid the parking fee and help me set up. After entry, follow the path into the park to registration on the other side of the bridge over the railroad tracks.

Questions or offers to help? Contact Bruce Wolfe at wolfes-orienteercaliforniaworldnet.att.net or 510-428-0701 (eve - before 9:30) or 510-622-2443 (work). While not required, I would appreciate a note/e-mail of your interest in the Sprint Champs, so I can be sure to have enough premarked maps ready.