There were three courses: green, on the entire 1:15000 scale color map on 8.5 x 11 paper; and white and yellow, on a zoomed in 1:10000 scale section of the map on 8.5 x 5.5 paper.
The white (1K, 4 controls) and yellow (1.8 K, 7 controls) courses were very popular and several scouts and leaders came back to say that it was the best course they had ever done. As the course setter, I tried to make the direct route challenging, while keeping white or yellow type routes possible. Apparently, this was so because many choose to do the yellow after completing the white course. Keep in mind, Orienteering was competing with a climbing wall, live animals from the zoo, snakes, a rope bridge and many other activities that they could choose from.
The green (6K, 14 controls) course was challenging for several reasons. First of all, it was a warm day, and the amount of climb was greater than stated. The map, a rush job made for this event, didn't show the interesting contour detail on the north end that made for the extra climb. Four college students from Binghamton University won compasses from Brunton, a sponsor of the event. The winners were Brett Meyerhoeffer, John Lee, Rob Jetty and Mei Zhong who completed the challenging green course. Overall winner was Scott Case with a time of 97:15.
About the 1:15000 map - it was done off a USGS base that was 35 years old, created before the resident golf course. Given the mapping time constraints, only major trails and park roads were shown on the northern end of the map, and the contours had not been checked, other than that they showed the general lay of the land. Therefore, runners were warned that they might have to rogaine a little on that part of the map. Controls were placed at reliable, large features and only created a few problems. Considering that there were only about 20 hours of field checking and another 30 or so for drafting invested in the map, I would have to rate it as highly successful. With field checking detail added to the northern end of the map, it might give enough space for a blue course, especially if we can get permission to use/cross the golf course.
The head park ranger saw the map, became very excited and may be able to channel some $ for additional mapping. I will be investigating this soon.
There should be endless thanks to Ross Boyer, Wendy Alberg and Kristin Olson. Without their help, it never would have been so successful.
Mike Olson