Emerald Hills Scramble
Date: (Sat.) Feb. 9, 2013
Location: Redwood City, CA
Event Director: 
- 857.361.8984
Course Setter: Frank Markowitz
Type: C; White (beginner) and Score-O courses in the Emerald Hills neighborhood and Edgewood Park
Course Setter Notes
By Frank Markowitz
Safety and General Notes
Please watch for traffic at all times, and stay on the sidewalk or shoulder whenever possible. Many of the streets have tight curves and no shoulders, so extreme caution is needed. Jefferson Avenue especially has curvy stretches with higher traffic volumes and should be avoided unless necessary to access controls.
You must not trespass on any private (business or residential) property. You must access and travel through Edgewood Park or Canada College only by public gates, trails, walkways, or roads — do not go off-trail.
You can go solo or in teams, on foot (walking or running). Teams must stay together at all times. Please do not use any navigational aids beyond map and compass (e.g., don't use a map other than the one provided, don't look up questions or locations on Google maps). Even if you know the answer now, don't circle it unless you visit the location. You'll need a pencil to mark the map. You can rent a compass if you wish.
Everyone must return to the school by 1:00 PM even if you cannot finish the course.
Enjoy the views, the hills, and even some quirky sights! Results will be posted on this website after the event.
Score-O (Street-O) Course
35 controls with differing point values — reach as many as you can in either 60 or 90 minutes
The Score-O course will probably be the best choice for most participants, including older scout or school groups. Adult beginners who feel comfortable reading a street map (without street names) will probably want the challenge of this Street-O Adventure course.
Here's how it works:
- A number of control (or checkpoint) locations are circled on the map.
- The descriptions on the back of the map explain what to look for at the center of the circle.
- On foot, visit as many controls as you can reach, in any order, and circle the best answer for each question on the table on the back of the map. You'll be asked questions about natural or man-made features like "How many mailboxes are at house #565?".
- Return to the Finish by 60 or 90 minutes — but don't be late, because there's an overtime penalty.
Score-O competitors will be ranked on total points of controls correctly identified in 60 or 90 minutes. You can choose your time limit even out on the course. The first digit of each control number corresponds to the point value for identifying that control (e.g., controls 10–19 each get 10 points, 20–29 get 20 points). Those on the course for up to 60 minutes will be in the 60-minute category. All others will be in the 90-minute category. Each minute (or fraction) over the category time limit will result in a 5-point penalty. Any wrong answer will result in a penalty equal to half of the point value of that control.
The map does not contain any street names. That's part of the fun. The brown contour lines connect points at the same elevation to help you choose the least hilly route.
We plan to start passing out maps at 9:30 AM, with pre-race instructions at 9:50 AM. While there is a mass start planned at 9:55 AM, you can also start anytime until 11:55 AM, but everyone must return by 1:00 PM.
Have fun out there!
White Course
4.6 km (2.9 miles) (actual) distance, 10 controls
The White course is probably best for beginners and families or groups with younger children, as it is flatter and easier to navigate.
Here's how it works:
- A number of control (or checkpoint) locations are circled on the map.
- The descriptions on the back of the map explain what to look for at the center of the circle.
- On foot, visit controls in the order listed, and circle the best answer for each question on the table on the back of the map. You'll be asked questions about natural or man-made features like "How many mailboxes are in front of house #445?".
Note that there are two significant differences between the Score-O and White courses:
- On the Score-O, people visit controls in any order; on White, the controls must be visited in the prescribed order.
- The Score-O has a time limit; the White course does not have a time limit.
Participants will be ranked in the order of their elapsed time. (A group's Finish time is based on the last group member to finish.) Most people should be able to walk the entire course in under 90 minutes.
The map does not contain any street names. That's part of the fun. However, the first three controls have the addresses listed on the answer table to help you get off to a good start. (But after that, you've really got to be careful.) The answer choices can help you check you're in the right place. The brown contour lines on the map connect points of the same elevation to help you choose the least hilly route.
The White course will open for starts beginning at 10:00 AM. Participants can start anytime from 10:00 to 11:55 AM, but everyone must return by 1:00 PM.
Have fun!