O in the Oaks

A-Meet and IOF World Ranking Event

Morgan Territory, Livermore
Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 27-28, 2001

Contact: Scott Aster, 415-456-8118

Saturday Starts   |  Sunday Starts   |  Event flyer (PDF)

BAOC is holding its 2001 A-meet on a new map of Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, which is on the eastern side of Mt. Diablo, north of Livermore, California, approximately 35 miles east of San Francisco. The A-meet is a two-day, cumulative time, classic distance event. There also will be a classic distance IOF World Ranking Event (WRE) held concurrently on the 2nd day of the A-meet.

Course Setter's Notes

** Daylight Savings Time ends Saturday night. Remember to set your clocks BACK one hour - or you'll miss your Sunday start time! **

Terrain

Morgan Territory has beautiful rolling oak forest intermixed with grass clearings and has lots of interesting rock formations. Mike Waddington, Canada's best orienteer, wrote, "I thought that orienteering [at Morgan Territory] was the most picturesque area we have ever orienteered. We enjoyed it immensely."

The terrain varies from rolling hills to quite steep areas. The trail and road network is moderately extensive. The area was last used for a local BAOC event in November 1999, and for a training event in December 1999. An old map of the area, made in 1982 and revised in 1990, based on a USGS topographical map, is available for purchase for $2.

If you plan to compete in the WRE, please read the embargo notice - Morgan Territory is off-limits!

Climate

The climate in late October can be quite variable, ranging from sunny clear days with a high temperature of about 70 degrees, to rain or fog with a high in the mid-40s. There is virtually no chance of snow.

Hazards

There is poison oak in the park, and people who are allergic to the plant should use precautions, including knowledge of the plant's variable appearance and avoidance of it if possible, full body cover, and washing with Tecnu as soon as possible after completing your race. Courses will be designed to avoid large areas of poison oak as much as possible.

Rattlesnakes are quite common in the summer, but probably will not be seen in October unless the day is quite warm and sunny. The terrain in places is quite steep, and there are some impassable cliffs that can be dangerous if you get too close.

All participants must carry a whistle for emergency use.

Map

There will be a new map drawn to IOF specifications. The scale for the Blue and Red courses will be 1:15000, and for all of the other courses 1:10000. The contour interval is 5 meters. George Kirkov and Bob Cooley are doing the field-checking and cartography.

Classes

There will be the standard 7 courses and 43 USOF classes for the A-meet. For the WRE, there will be M21 and W21 classes. If you want to enter the WRE, you must explicitly indicate it on the entry form. If you do enter the WRE, the absolute deadline for entry is October 15 (postmark). No special requests for start time may be accepted for the WRE, and the draw for the start list will be generated by computer.

Winning Times

For the WRE, the estimated winning time for M21 is 75-90 minutes and for W21 is 60-70 minutes.

For the A-meet, the estimated winning times are: White, 25-30 min; Yellow, 35-40 min; Orange, 50-55 min; Brown, 45-50 min; Green, 50-55 min; Red, 60-65 min; Blue, 75-80 min.

Awards

Awards will be presented to the top 3 finishers in all classes. The awards ceremony will begin as close to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 28, as possible.

Electronic Punching

SportIdent electronic punching will be used for all classes in the A-meet and WRE. If you do not own your own SI Card, you may rent one for $2/day. Please indicate on your entry form the number of your SI Card, or whether you need to rent one.

Model Event and Training

The model event for the WRE will be Day 1 of the A-meet. Training is available at Sunol Regional Park, although no formal training course will be set up. A map of Sunol may be ordered for $3.

Registration & Fees

Preregistration is closed. Day-of-event entries will be accepted for the A-meet (but not the WRE), but these entrants will not receive assigned start times and will have to wait for a vacancy in the start list.

Entry fees

Postmarked after Oct. 15 and day-of-event entries: 

    Adult (A-meet)    $30 per day
    Junior (A-meet)   $20 per day
Members of USOF or another national federation belonging to the IOF receive a $3/day discount on the above fees. To qualify as a junior, you must be under 21 years of age.

Other fees 

    SI card rental                  $2 per day
    Compass rental                  $1 per day
    T-shirt                        $15
    Saturday night dinner          $26 adults; $7 children (12 and under)
    Child care                     $10 per child/day
    Old map of Morgan Territory     $2
    Training map of Sunol           $3

Foreign Participants

Information about obtaining a visa for entry into the US can be found at http://travel.state.gov/visa_services.html. Foreign competitors may pay their entry fees at registration when they pick up their packets.

Saturday Night Dinner

Our event banquet will be on Saturday, October 27, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Cattlemen's Restaurant in Livermore, almost directly across the freeway from the headquarters hotel (Comfort Inn). The dinner will include course reviews and door prizes.

The dinner is $26 for adults/teens, and the menu has five choices:

All selections include a baked potato, all-you-can-eat salad, sourdough bread, ranch-style beans, and coffee or tea. Dessert is not included. A portable no-host bar will be set up inside the banquet room.

For children (12 and under) the cost is $7. The "Little Vittles" children's plate has six options, including burgers, hot dogs, chicken, steak, and ribs.

Recreational Courses

White, Yellow, and Orange recreational courses will be available. No pre-registration is required. The entry fees are $6 per individual or first member in a group and $2 for each additional person in a group. Juniors are half price. Electronic punching will not be used.

Different courses will be offered on Saturday and Sunday. Registration opens at 9:00 a.m., beginner's clinics are between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., and start times will be available from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

Important Dates 

Oct. 1                Last day to enter without late fees
Oct. 15               Last day to enter WRE and for pre-assigned starts in A-meet
Oct. 26, 7-10 p.m.    Packet pickup available at headquarters hotel
Oct. 27               Day 1 of A-meet and Model Event for WRE
                      Registration opens 9:00 a.m.; 1st starts at 10:00 a.m.
Oct. 27, 6 p.m.       Saturday night dinner with course reviews
Oct. 28               WRE: first starts 8:00 a.m.
                      Day 2 of A-meet. Registration opens at 8:00 a.m., first starts at 10:00 a.m.
Oct. 28, 2 p.m.       Awards Ceremony

Event Officials

Event director: Scott Aster, 415-456-8118
Registrar: Steve Beuerman, 408-739-9376
Course setter, Day 1: George Minarik
Course setter, WYO (Day 2): Evan Custer
Course setter, WRE: Hannu Haarma
Course consultant: Mark Frank
IOF controller: Scott Donald, 250-362-7768
Local controller: Evan Custer, 925-254-5628
Mapping director: Bob Cooley
Vetters: Evan Custer, Leslie Minarik Field-checking and map drawing: Zoran Krivokapic
Starts: Chuck Spalding, Peter Graube
Finishes: Meg Gerstner, Alan Glendinning
Control pickup: Harold & Penny DeMoss
Parking: Matthias Kohler

Directions and Parking

Morgan Territory: Take I-580 east to the North Livermore Avenue exit in Livermore. Drive north until forced to turn left onto Manning Road. Take the next right onto Morgan Territory Road, and continue 5.6 miles to the top of the mountain. The road is very narrow with many sharp curves, so allow extra time and drive carefully.

Parking for orienteers will be on a private ranch, immediately adjacent to the park. Follow the O signs. The rangers have stipulated as part of our use permit that orienteers must not park in the Park's main parking lot.

Training at Sunol: Take I-680 to the Calaveras Road exit near Sunol. Go south on Calaveras Road about 6 miles to Geary Road. Turn left onto Geary and continue a couple of miles to the park entrance.

Headquarters Hotel

Our headquarters hotel is the Comfort Inn in Livermore. We have reserved a block of 20 rooms for the nights of October 26 and 27. 15 of these are single-bed rooms at $69/night, and 5 are two-bed rooms at $79/night. All rooms are non-smoking. Our group identifying name is "O in the Oaks Orienteering." After October 12, we lose the reservation for any rooms not already taken.
Comfort Inn
2625 Constitution Drive
Livermore, CA 94550
925-606-6200 phone
925-606-6014 fax

Other Accommodations

Livermore:

Comfort Inn, 475 Collier Canyon Rd, Livermore, CA 94550 (925-606-6200)
Courtyard Livermore, 2929 Constitution Drive, Livermore, CA
Del Valle Lodge, 3979 1st St, Livermore, CA 94550 (925-447-2348)
Extended Stayamerica, 2380 Nissen Dr, Livermore, CA 94550 (925-373-1700)
Hampton Inn, 2850 Constitution Dr, Livermore, CA 94550 (925-606-6400)
Holiday Inn, 720 Las Flores Rd, Livermore, CA 94550 (925-443-4950)
Livermore Inn, 1421 1st St, Livermore, CA 94550 (925-447-3865)
Motel 6, 4673 Lassen Rd, Livermore, CA 94550 (925-443-5300)
Palace Motel, 1321 Portola Ave, Livermore, CA 94550 (925-447-1515)
Purple Orchid Inn Resort & Spa, 4549 Cross Rd, Livermore, CA 94550 (925-606-8855)
Ramada Limited, 7600 Southfront Rd, Livermore, CA 94550 (925-456-5422)
Residence Inn, 1000 Airway Blvd, Livermore, CA 94550 (925-373-1800)
Sands Motel, 3787 1st St, Livermore, CA 94550 (925-447-6500)
Super 8 Motel 3979 1st St, Livermore, CA 94550 (925-682-0505)
Springtown Inn, 933 Bluebell Dr, Livermore, CA 94550 (925-449-2211)
Town House Motel, 1421 1st St, Livermore, CA 94550 (925-447-3865)
Valley Hotel, 1987 1st St, Livermore, CA 94550 (925-447-0523)

Pleasanton:

Benton's Grill, 11950 Dublin Canyon Rd, Pleasanton, CA 94588 (925-847-6000)
Budget Inn, 2025 Santa Rita Rd, Pleasanton, CA 94566 (925-846-2742)
Candlewood Suites, 5535 Johnson Ct, Pleasanton, CA 94588 (925-463-1212)
Courtyard By Marriott, 5059 Hopyard Rd, Pleasanton, CA 94588 (925-463-1414)
Crowne Plaza, 11950 Dublin Canyon Rd, Pleasanton, CA 94588 (925-847-6000)
Evergreen Bed & Breakfast, 9104 Longview Dr, Pleasanton, CA 94588 (925-426-0901)
Four Points Hotel Pleasanton, 5115 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton, CA
Hilton, 7050 Johnson Dr, Pleasanton, CA 94588 (925-463-8000)
Motel 6, 5102 Hopyard Rd, Pleasanton, CA 94588 (925-463-2626)
Plum Tree Inn, 262 W Angela St, Pleasanton, CA 94566 (925-426-9588)
Ramada Inn Pleasanton, 5375 Owens Ct, Pleasanton, CA 94588 (925-463-1300)
Residence Inn, 11920 Dublin Canyon Rd, Pleasanton, CA 94588 (925-227-0500)
Sheraton, 5115 Hopyard Rd, Pleasanton, CA 94588 (925-460-8800)
Sierra Suites Hotel, 4555 Chabot Dr, Pleasanton, CA 94588 (925-730-0000)
Summerfield Suites Hotel, 4545 Chabot Dr, Pleasanton, CA 94588 (925-730-0070)
Wyndham Garden Hotel, 5990 Stoneridge Mall Rd, Pleasanton, CA 94588 (925-463-3330)

Camping

Del Valle Park, 6 miles south of downtown Livermore. The Del Valle Family Campground has 150 sites, 21 of them with water and sewage hookups (no electrical). The sites are served by centrally located toilet and shower facilities. For reservations, phone (510) 636-1684, up to 12 weeks in advance. Unreserved sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Camping is also available at Sunol Regional Park in Sunol and Anthony Chabot Regional Park in Castro Valley. For more information, visit the East Bay Regional Parks website.