University of Montana Mass Start Orienteering Race

Welcome to GrizO's summer weeknight event series! We are using some of our closer-to-town venues to give folks a chance to keep their orienteering skills sharp and maybe introduce some new people to our great sport. 

Date and Time

The event will take place Sunday, August 20 between 6:00pm-7:00pm. You can start any time between 6-7pm for the beginner course but the mass start for the advanced (short, med and long) courses begin at 6:30pm.

Location

The location is at the oval in the heart of the university in Missoula. You can view a map here.

Courses 

Four different courses will be offered: Beginner and advanced (Short, Medium, and Long).

Beginner Instruction Beginner instruction will be provided by several experienced orienteers. If this is your first event, take a look at the "Newcomers" section of our website to get an idea of what to expect: https://www.grizzlyorienteering.org/newcomers .

Entry Fees

First-timers: $5, First-time groups: $10 (If first-timers wish to purchase memberships after the event, the cost of the event will be subtracted from the membership fee)

Standard event entry fee: $15 per individual; maximum of $30 for group

Member event entry fee: $8 for members; maximum of $15 for member group

Junior entry fee: $5 for youth aged 12-20

Kid entry fee: Free for kids under 12

Volunteer discount: Free for anyone who volunteers at a given event

Extra map for any additional group member who wants one: $2

Second course: Free

Compass rental: Free

Grizzly Orienteering is offering annual memberships for individuals and families. A membership gives discounts on event entries, priority registration for certain events, and access to skills clinics throughout the year. The cost for an individual membership (365-day duration) is $35, and for a family $70.

Equipment  We will provide specially created maps with pre-printed courses for each participant.We will also provide loaner compasses. Please return these when you are done. The compasses will be sanitized after each use.Wear clothing that is comfortable for activities in the woods and  off-trail and appropriate for the expected temperatures. Please bring your own snacks and hydration. A limited supply  of single-serving snacks will be provided, but due to Covid-19  precautions, selection and supply will be limited. 

Start and Finish You will need to check in with one of our volunteers at registration  before proceeding to the start. Our volunteers will provide you with the  appropriate map, a loaner compass if needed, and a loaner electronic  timing chip and will keep track of  who is out and doing which course. When you have found all the controls  on your course, return to the finish and check in with a volunteer  there. Even if you decide to quit your course before finding all the  controls, please check in at the finish so we do not go out searching for you.

Electronic "punching"

An e-punch records your race. At each control, you’ll dip the e-punch  into an electronic box, which will beep and flash as confirmation.  After you finish, you’ll download the e-punch at the download tent and  get a receipt that shows which controls you visited and how long you took  between each; these are your “splits.”

Part of the fun of orienteering is comparing your splits with people  who completed the same course, and discussing the routes you took!