University of California, Berkeley
Date: (Sun.) Sep. 21, 2008
Location: Berkeley, CA
Event Director: 
- 510.409.9285
Course Setter: Ben Legg
Type: C; White, Yellow, and Sprint courses
The Cal Hiking and Outdoor Society (CHAOS) was kind enough to sponsor us, so that we can return to orienteering on the Berkeley campus. If you meet any of their members (including their newest member Ben Legg), please be sure to thank them.
Also a big thank-you to Michael Behrens. He signed up as a first-time Event Director, only to find the rules at Berkeley had changed. But did he let that deter him? No, like a true orienteer he persevered and found a way to bring this event to you. Thanks Michael!
Registration will be open near the Campanile from 9:30 AM to noon. Starts for will be available 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM (all courses). All participants must check in at the Finish by 2:00 PM whether or not they have finished their course. Even if you decide not to finish your course, we want to know that you have gone home safely.
As usual, we will offer short, free, how-to-do-it classes for first timers between 9:30 AM and 10:30. Beginners' courses (White and Yellow) will be offered to practice your map-reading skills.
The normal event schedule will be followed:
- Registration: 9:30 AM to noon
- Starts: 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
- Courses close: 2:00 PM (everyone must finish by then)
The courses offered are White, Yellow, and Sprint. All the courses will feature standard pin-punching with punch cards.
There are restrooms in a number of campus buildings. All buildings might or might not be open on the Sunday of the event. We will inform the registration crew of the status of nearby buildings and their restroom availability at the time of the event.
Map and Terrain Notes
The Berkeley Map has been updated slightly from past years. The map is 1:4000, and roughly follows the new ISSOM sprint standards. Here are some important things to note.
Safety Concerns:
- Construction areas are mapped with red stripes. These areas are considered dangerous, and competitors are forbidden to enter.
- The yellow-green areas designate permanent Out-of-Bounds. These areas may be dangerous, and competitors are forbidden to enter.
- High walls and fences are marked with a bold black line. Whether or not you are physically capable, competitors are forbidden to cross.
- Finally, running through hedges and garden areas is not permitted. Unfortunately, not all of these are shown on the map. Please use good judgment. Likewise, if you encounter an unmapped construction area, do not enter.
- Please yield to pedestrians, bicycles, and motor vehicles.
Participants who neglect to follow these safety guidelines will be disqualified.
Course Descriptions
- White: 1.4 km, Easy Beginner (Stroller Accessible)
- Yellow: 2.0 km, Advanced Beginner
- Sprint: 3.2 km, Intermediate to Advanced
The Sprint course should be particularly fun—it will test both route choice and fine map reading. Time can be saved by picking the optimal route. But I'm predicting now, that the best times will be posted by runners who pick an adequate route and execute without hesitation...
Volunteers Needed
We need volunteers to help with:
- Set-up at 9:00 AM.
- Clinics from 10:00–11:00 for youth groups, for scouts, and for mixed groups. (Let me know if you would prefer to lead one of the youth/scout clinics.)
- Starts: 10:45–11:15 and 11:15–12:50.
- Finish: 10:45–12:00, 12:00–1:15, and 1:15–2:30.
- Control pickup at 2:30 PM.
To volunteer send an e-mail to .
Driving Directions
Take the University Avenue exit from I-80, and head east up University Avenue toward the hills until you run into the campus. Parking is available on the streets surrounding the campus. Registration is at the North foot to the Campanile, the tall easily-visible landmark clock-tower in the center of campus.
Public Transit
If you live close to a BART station, we suggest taking BART (Richmond line). The Berkeley station is only 2 blocks west of campus.