Overview
Orienteering Cincinnati will host three National Championship races over three days around Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Each race will feature courses for all ages and abilities. Additionally, participants may join fellow orienteers at various outings scheduled throughout the weekend, including a tour of the American Sign Museum, a visit to the International Butterfly Show at Krohn Conservatory, and a night out at the Banks.
The Races
All races are Nationally Sanctioned by Orienteering USA. All races will have all usual “A” categories for people of all ages. See packet for more detailed information about each race. The Flying Pig has been designated by Orienteering USA as the 2020 National Championship in each of the distances offered.
- Friday, April 3, 2020: Middle Distance, McFarlan Woods, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Saturday, April 4, 2020: Long Distance, Miami-Whitewater Forest, Harrison, Ohio
- Sunday, April 5, 2020: Sprint Distance, NKU, Highland Heights, Kentucky
Courses and Classes
Competitive: All standard OUSA competitive courses and classes will be offered. Pre-registration is required for competitive courses.
Recreational: Recreational courses will be offered at all events in beginner to intermediate categories only (white – orange). The cost is $15 per individual for each event. Recreational participants may register on-site the day of the event.
Awards
Orienteering USA National Championship medals will be awarded to the top three individual finishers in each competitive class at all races.
Race Timing – SportIdent
All courses will be timed using SportIdent cards. Entrants may rent a card for $2 per race, and must sign an agreement to pay $45 for lost or damaged rental card. The Flying Pig features SI Air+.
Embargo Information
The following areas may not be used for orienteering or orienteering training prior to these events (see locator maps for additional details):
- McFarlan Woods
- Miami-Whitewater Forest
- Northern Kentucky University
Preview Maps
Previously used maps of all venues will be available with registration for $10 per set. Orders for preview and training maps received by March 3 will be mailed to you; late orders will be in your packet when you arrive.
Training Maps
To Be Completed
Orders for preview and training maps received by March 3 will be mailed to you; late orders will be in your packet when you arrive.
Park admission / parking fees
A 2020 Motor Vehicle Permit is required to enter Miami-Whitewater Forest, which is one of the Great Parks of Hamilton County. Cost for residents of Hamilton County: $10 annual/$5 daily; other visitors: $16 annual/$8 daily. There is no cost for entry or parking at McFarlan Woods or NKU.
Safety Information
All competitors must carry a whistle and dress appropriately for the weather conditions. Orienteering USA keychain whistles may be purchased with registration for $2.
Child Sitting
We will accommodate parents with split start times if requested. Please let us know as early as possible if you have children who will need tending during the events, and we will try to help you work out an appropriate arrangement.
Shirts
Lodging
Host hotels are . . . .
Awards Banquet
We’re excited to have “The Worldwalker” Steve Newman as our speaker at this year’s Flying Pig Awards Banquet! A native of Bethel, Ohio, Newman walked solo around the world from April 1983 to April 1987, becoming popularly known as “The Worldwalker.” He has gone on to author several books and present to over 2,300 audiences about his experiences on that journey of discovery about himself and the world. Newman has most recently ventured out on an OCIN orienteering course!
The banquet is Saturday night from 6 – 9 p.m. We’ll enjoy delicious meat and vegetarian entrees and give away medals from Friday’s event.
Social Scene
Check out these group activities where you can mix and mingle with other orienteers around Cincinnati:
Friday, 11 a.m. – Group tour of the American Sign Museum
The American Sign Museum is 20,000 square feet of more than a century of American signage, presented in an engaging and visually appealing way. Some of the larger-than-life vintage neon is really spectacular. $15 adults; $10 seniors, military & students; free for kids 12 and under. With 10 in our group, we’ll enjoy a group rate of $10 for everyone.
Friday, 6 p.m. – Group dinner at The Gruff, Covington
Afterward, we’ll walk across the Roebling Suspension Bridge and along “The Banks,” Cincinnati’s world-class greenspace along the Ohio River, where trails meander through lush gardens and play areas dotted with fountains, sculptures and more!
Sunday, 3:00 p.m. – Butterfly Show at Krohn Conservatory
This internationally renowned show is in its 25th year and will feature butterflies from Bali flying freely throughout the themed showroom. The conservatory, built in 1933 and located within scenic Eden Park, is worth a visit in and of itself. It houses over 3,500 plant species and includes a 45’ high palm house. $10 adults; $7 youth ages 5 – 17. Free for children 4 & under. We’ll have coupons for $1 off admission.
If you plan to join us for any of these group activities, please RSVP to Stephanie Ross at flyingsquirreladventures@gmail.com with your name and the number of adults and youth in your group, so we can make appropriate reservations at each venue. You do not need to pre-register for these activities, but can simply pay on-site. Please direct any questions about these activities to Stephanie, as well.
Joel Rauschenbach Memorial Junior Fund
The Joel Rauschenbach Memorial Junior Fund provides grants to help develop youth orienteering in the Greater Cincinnati area and to assist area youth in traveling to national and international competitions. As you register for these events, you will have the opportunity to make a voluntary contribution to this fund. OCIN Junior pages
Registrar
Guy Olsen is the Registrar for this meet and may be contacted by e-mail at flyingpigregistrar@gmail.com. If paying for registration by check, please make the check payable to “OCIN.” Late mail must be directed to Mike Minium, 6797 Stillwell Beckett Rd, Oxford, OH 45056-8870.
Click here to register.