The 2022 NAV-X race season is here!

For 2022, we have decided to focus on producing mostly GPS courses. There are a few reasons for this. First, we might not be completely out of the COVID weeds yet as far as permitting goes. An example of this is the cancellation of Castle Peak 100 for permit reasons. Secondly, our staff is a little thinner with Dennis Wilkinson having emigrated to Texas, and WRS/Jay Hann taking a few months off to focus on his health. Lastly, one of the great things with the GPS courses is that the format allows us to go where permits are difficult or impossible to obtain. So in 2022 we are going to bring you six (6) quality courses, one of which may be in-person as a season finale.

2022 Race schedule

GPS courses are self serve. Each course is open for two months (with overlap). Pick any day during those two months to be your race day. From $12 (2h) to $27 (8h). You can register and run after the end date, but it won’t count toward official results.

• March 1 - April 30: Morgan Territory (Livermore, CA) - 3h/6h GPS - REGISTER NOW - EVENT DETAILS - RESULTS

• April 1 - May 31: Sonoma Valley (Glen Ellen, CA) - 2h/4h GPS - REGISTER NOW - EVENT DETAILS - RESULTS

• May 1 - June 30: Las Trampas (Danville, CA) - 2h/4h GPS - REGISTER NOW - EVENT DETAILS - RESULTS

• July 1 - September 30: Donner Summit (Soda Springs, CA) - 4h/8h GPS - REGISTER NOW - EVENT DETAILS - RESULTS

• September 1 - November 15: Black Diamond Mines (Antioch, CA) - 3h/6h GPS - REGISTER NOW - EVENT DETAILS - RESULTS

• Sun November 20*: Briones (Lafayette, CA) - 2h/4h - REGISTER NOW - EVENT DETAILS - RESULTS

*Season final event will be in-person on Nov 20, 2022, pending permits

Can you still run GPS courses from 2021?

Yes you can! But you will need to join CLUB NAV-X. For $25, you get access to all 2021 official GPS courses until the end of the year (except Black Diamond Mines - it is on the 2022 race schedule, so we don’t want people to train there), plus other perks. Here’s what you get:

• Access eight (8) quality GPS map trekking courses from the 2021 series

• A pair of NAV-X arm warmers (select size during sign-up)

• Discounted entry fees to NAV-X 2022 official events as well as other Orienteering club events

After signing up, you will receive an email with instructions for how to access the archived 2021 courses.

Free Local Training courses

MapRunner is pretty easy to use and intuitive. But if you want to do a dry-run, we will also have a few training courses available for free in different locations, in order to allow everyone to get used to the GPS app (MapRunner) before doing a “real” course that is part of the race season. Check back here as the other training courses become available.

• Peninsula/South Bay: Arastradero @ Palo Alto (1h/2h) - AVAILABLE NOW - RESULTS

• Sacramento area: Mississippi Bar @ Orangevale (1h/2h) - AVAILABLE NOW - RESULTS

• East Bay: Joaquin Miller @ Oakland (1h/2h) - AVAILABLE NOW - RESULTS

How Does It Work?

All you need is a smart phone running either iOS or Android. Here are the basic steps:

Before race day

• Sign up online using the links in the schedule above. (you can decide on your race date later) - within 24 hours, you will receive a confirmation email with links to the map files and course instructions.

• If you haven’t already done so, Install the MapRunner6 app. NOTE: If you ran Annadel, you used an older app version. You must install MapRun6 for the 2022 NAV-X season.

• On your phone, load the chosen course when you have reliable Internet service.

On race day

• When you are ready to start your run, open the app and walk toward the Start location until the app beeps. This starts the race clock.

• Run the course - the app will beep at each checkpoint you visit. You can keep phone packed away while you run. Keep in mind the following as you run:

  • Be respectful of other park visitors, and practice safe COVID manners (mask, distance, etc.)

  • Practice Leave No Trace (LNT)

  • Have a safety plan (tell someone where you are going, ideally run with someone, bring first aid kit, etc.)

• Run to the Finish, the app will beep, telling you that you have finished your run.

After race day

• Final official results will be posted and sent out via email to all participants within a few days of the end of the month.

• You can also view your splits and track in the app or online, and after the course has closed, you can also compare your checkpoint sequence, splits and GPS tracks with fellow runners (Route Gadget)

Get all the details here.

How do GPS events differ from regular events?

As with most things, there are pros and cons, and in this case there are in fact a surprising number of advantages.

What’s great about it?

• Can set courses where it’s hard to otherwise have large group events

• Can have Start/Finish locations better suited to the course (example Cache Creek we can Start/Finish in the middle)

• Easier and less costly to organize, resulting in...

• ...lower race fees (much lower!)

• Can do the course when it fits your schedule.  Courses will be open for an entire month.

• A wealth of post-race data and route analysis, including control sequence, route, time tracking on legs, etc.
  
  

What’s different/challenging?

• Won’t be able to socialize with other racers around the food table - you provide your own post-race food and refreshments

• You have to print your own maps (we provide PDF)

• We can’t enforce a time cap on route planning (this may be perceived as a benefit to some)

• You’ll be waiting for a beep from your phone, rather than looking for an orange/white flag (we will mark with biodegradable flagging but no guarantee it will be there all the time - other visitors, cows or deer may remove)

• Individual safety preparations become critical as there will not be any race organization at the venue - you’re it!  As a result, we will not be doing anything longer than 8 hours using the GPS system.

We think the Pros outweigh the Cons, at least during COVID times, and think you will really enjoy racing this way.  We look forward to watching the leader boards as the season gets underway.  More information will come out shortly.  Adventure on in 2022!

The NAV-X Team

We have completed the 2016 season with all six (6) events!  Series results are final.  If you'd like to go into a deep dive with how the scoring works, please check out our FAQ which explains it in detail (Question 6).

Top Series Results in the SHORT-n-FAST Division (Best 7 hrs of competition):

1. Rex Winterbottom - 653 out of 700

2. Tapio Karras - 640 out of 700

3. Daniel Sebo - 509 out of 700

Top Series Results in the LONG-n-HARD Division (Best 14 hrs of competition):

1. Dennis Wilkinson - 1,400 out of 1,400 - A PERFECT SCORE!

2. Lubomir Sebo - 1,314 out of 1,400

3. Aron Walker - 1,253 out of 1,400

Short Division NAV-X Challenge Series Standings

Long Division NAV-X Challenge Series Standings

Thank you for registering using the EventRegister system administered by Orienteering USA (OUSA)

Even if you are part of a team, each person needs to register separately.  Your age for determining divisions and pricing is defined as your age at the beginning of the year.  This will ensure that you are entered in the same division for the whole season. 

Registration HINTS:

Page 1

If you are an OUSA member, you can retrieve your personal contact info to fill out the form or if you are not a member, click "Non-Orienteering USA Member”. 

Page 2

You enter your personal info as a non-member on the second page.  The "club" field pertains to any local Orienteering club; it will also appear in the event results.  Choose "none" if you are not a member.  Timing is done with electronic punching (similar to chip timing) - click on "Will Rent E-Punch:" if you don't own an E-punch.  NOTE: Teams are only required to use one E-punch.   Subsequent team members should enter "0" in the e-punch number field and leave the rental box unchecked so that you are not charged for a rental.

page 3

Find your course and use the pull-down list to choose your division.  

Please choose only one division on one course and leave the rest as "Not Competing". 

All members of a team should enter the same division.

Confirm your details.

Check box, enter name, then click "Save Signed Waiver". 

Page 7

Refund Policy

Refund policy: 100% refund up to 10 days before event. Future race credit 1-9 days before event. No refunds for no-show.

Day of event fees

If you choose to register in person on the day of the event, the fees will be:

• 2 HR = $35/adult, $18/junior;

• 3 HR = $40/adult, $20/junior;

• 4 HR = $50/adult, $25/junior;

• 5 HR = $60/adult, $30/junior;

• 6 HR = $65/adult, $33/junior;

• 8 HR = $80/adult, $40/junior.

There is no club discount for day of event entries.

Send questions to info@navxchallenge.org

Thank you for registering using the EventRegister system administered by Orienteering USA (OUSA)

Even if you are part of a team, each person needs to register separately.  Your age for determining divisions and pricing is defined as your age at the beginning of the year.  This will ensure that you are entered in the same division for the whole season. 

Registration HINTS:

Page 1

If you are an OUSA member, you can retrieve your personal contact info to fill out the form or if you are not a member, click "Non-Orienteering USA Member”. 

Page 2

You enter your personal info as a non-member on the second page.  The "club" field pertains to any local Orienteering club; it will also appear in the event results.  Choose "none" if you are not a member.  Timing is done with electronic punching (similar to chip timing) - click on "Will Rent E-Punch:" if you don't own an E-punch.  NOTE: Teams are only required to use one E-punch.   Subsequent team members should enter "0" in the e-punch number field and leave the rental box unchecked so that you are not charged for a rental.

page 3

Find your course and use the pull-down list to choose your division.  

Please choose only one division on one course and leave the rest as "Not Competing". 

All members of a team should enter the same division.

Confirm your details.

Check box, enter name, then click "Save Signed Waiver". 

Page 7

Refund Policy

Refund policy: 100% refund up to 10 days before event. Future race credit 1-9 days before event. No refunds for no-show.

Day of event fees

If you choose to register in person on the day of the event, the fees will be:

• 2 HR = $35/adult, $18/junior;

• 3 HR = $40/adult, $20/junior;

• 4 HR = $50/adult, $25/junior;

• 5 HR = $60/adult, $30/junior;

• 6 HR = $65/adult, $33/junior;

• 8 HR = $80/adult, $40/junior.

There is no club discount for day of event entries.

Send questions to info@navxchallenge.org

Thank you for registering using the EventRegister system administered by Orienteering USA (OUSA)

Your age for determining divisions and pricing is defined as your age at the beginning of the year.

Registration HINTS:

Page 1

If you are an OUSA member, you can retrieve your personal contact info to fill out the form or if you are not a member, click "Non-Orienteering USA Member”. 

Page 2

You enter your personal info as a non-member on the second page.  The "club" field pertains to any local Orienteering club; it will also appear in the event results.  Choose "none" if you are not a member.  Timing is done with electronic punching (similar to chip timing) - an E-punch rental is included with your registration fee but you will need to check the "Will Rent E-punch" box. If you have your own E-punch, please include the number in the "E-punch Number" field.

page 3

Find your course and use the pull-down list to choose your division.  

Please choose only one division on one course and leave the rest as "Not Competing". 

Confirm your details.

Check box, enter name, then click "Save Signed Waiver".

Refund Policy

Refund policy: 100% refund up to 10 days before event. Future race credit 1-9 days before event. No refunds for no-show.

Day of event fees

If you choose to register in person on the day of the event, the fees will be:

• 10-15km = $35/adult, $20/junior

• 15-20km = $40/adult, $23/junior

• 20-30km = $50/adult, $28/junior

• 30-40km = $65/adult, $35/junior

• 40-60km = $80/adult, $43/junior

Subtract $5 if you are an adult orienteering club member AND you have your own E-punch.

Send questions to info@navxchallenge.org

Thank you for registering using the EventRegister system administered by Orienteering USA (OUSA)

Even if you are part of a team, each person needs to register separately.  Your age for determining divisions and pricing is defined as your age at the beginning of the year.

Registration HINTS:

Page 1

If you are an OUSA member, you can retrieve your personal contact info to fill out the form or if you are not a member, click "Non-Orienteering USA Member”. 

Page 2

You enter your personal info as a non-member on the second page.  The "club" field pertains to any local Orienteering club; it will also appear in the event results.  Choose "none" if you are not a member.  Timing is done with electronic punching (similar to chip timing) - an E-punch rental is included with your registration fee but you will need to check the "Will Rent E-punch" box. If you have your own E-punch, please include the number in the "E-punch Number" field.

page 3

Find your course and use the pull-down list to choose your division.  

Please choose only one division on one course and leave the rest as "Not Competing". 

All members of a team should enter the same division.

Confirm your details.

Check box, enter name, then click "Save Signed Waiver".

Refund Policy

Refund policy: 100% refund up to 10 days before event. Future race credit 1-9 days before event. No refunds for no-show.

Day of event fees

If you choose to register in person on the day of the event, the fees will be:

• 1.5 HR = $40/adult, $30/junior

• 2 HR = $45/adult, $33/junior

• 3 HR = $55/adult, $40/junior

• 4 HR = $70/adult, $51/junior

• 6 HR = $85/adult, $61/junior

There is no club discount for day of event entries.

Send questions to info@navxchallenge.org

1-Install app and load event

• MapRunF is an updated version of MapRun. It’s important that you use MapRunF for all Nav-X events.

• Download the MapRunF App and Install it on your phone.  It’s free.

  • iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/maprunf/id1468994114

  • Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.com.fne.maprunf

• There is also an app called MapRunG that performs similar functions but on Garmin watches. I wasn’t able to test it out but you can click here for more information.

• Start the App while you still have a reliable Internet connection.

• Enter your Name - to be used with your results. If you are competing on a team, you can enter the team name or both the team and individual names.

• Tap “Select Event” and browse to the event you are looking for.

• Alternatively, tap “Events Near Me” to display a list of events near your current location.

• Select the appropriate event with the correct duration (e.g. 2-hr vs. 4-hr).

• The course and map are now loaded into your phone and even if you lose an internet connection, it will still work.

• Tap “Go to Start” to see the map and course.

• The app will display a Google satellite map with the orienteering map and course superimposed on top of it. The app will also display your current location on the map with a red dot. The red dot will disappear as soon as you “punch” the start.

• There is an “Options and Settings” button but most of these settings are locked and the ones that aren’t are best left in their default setting.

• There is a “Show Results” button which brings you to a Result list screen. A result listing will be created here each time you tap “Go to Start”. If you don’t do the course, it will show a DNS -Did not Start.

2-Run the course

• Download and print the map(s) for the course and then drive to the Start location. You could also just use the map displayed in the app but it’s fairly low resolution and you can’t rotate it, etc. and there are no control descriptions.

• You need to pass within 20 meters of the Start location to trigger the course timer. You will hear a “beep” indicating that the clock is running…GO!

• Important Note: The start is triggered automatically so don’t go to the Start location until you are ready to begin the competition. If you do accidentally trigger the start before you are ready, hit the home icon in the upper left corner and then confirm that you want to exit. Move away from the start area and tap “Go to Start” again.

• Choose your own route and go to as many checkpoints as you can in the allotted time.

• The app will “beep” automatically when your GPS determines that you are within the 20 meter radius of the checkpoint location. Most of the time, the beep will occur as you are approaching the feature. If the beep does not happen immediately, you may have to wait a few seconds for your GPS to adjust to your new location. If you don’t get a beep after a few seconds, continue your course and submit a revised result using the method described in the next section. 

• Purple control circles will turn to green to show that they have been “punched”.

• After collecting all the checkpoints you managed in the time allowed, make sure to stop the race timer by passing through the Finish, which is in the same place as the Start. You will again hear a “beep”. 

• MapRunF will not punch the Finish until you have visited at least one checkpoint. Be careful not to get close to the Finish if you need to return to your vehicle in the middle of your run. Once the Finish is triggered, the race is done.

3-Results

• At the finish, MapRunF will attempt to automatically upload your results to the main database if there is an internet connection present. If not, you will see a load error message on the screen. In this case, you can upload your result manually when you get within signal range. From the main manu, tap on “Show Results” to see a list of all your recorded results using the app. Open (by tapping on) the result in question, then from the menu on the top-right, select “Upload (Manual)”. You should see confirmation that the upload was successful.

• You can compare your results with others on the same course by tapping “All Results for this Event” (from the Results list screen). Your point total will be calculated using the scoring formula (see Scoring Details below). You will also be shown the controls visited, the distance that you ran, your pace, and your race position. 

• From this All Results page, you can also view the route that you or anyone else took by tapping on “Track” which will display the route in RouteGadget. 

• If you visited a checkpoint but did not get a “punch”, you can submit a revised result. From the menu on the top-right of the Results list screen, select “Review Results (HITMO)” and tap on the info button in the top-right to get on-screen instructions on submitting a revised result.

4-Some considerations:

• Running the GPS continuously takes a lot of battery power. Make sure your phone is fully charged before you start. Consider bringing an external battery backup to charge your phone while you’re out there, especially if you are doing a 4 hour course or longer.  Here is a great external battery by Anker.

• You may find it helpful to store your phone in a carrier so that you can run without having to carry it in your hand. I have personally found a fanny pack running belt very helpful.

5-Scoring Details

• Point values - add “0” to the first number of the checkpoint code.  Examples:

  • 33 = 30 points

  • 70 = 70 points

  • 102 = 100 points

  • Etc.

• The late penalty is 30 pts/minute.

Have fun!

The NAV-X Team

info@navxchallenge.org

navxchallenge.com

Thank you to all of our participants who took part in our Big Basin NAV-X Challenge!  We had another beautiful day to tackle a challenging course set by Misha Kreslavsky.  Please find the full posted results below (click on the results you would like to view).  Please let us know if you find any discrepancies of problems at info@navxchallenge.org.

2H RESULTS - FULL

4H RESULTS - FULL

If you tracked your route, and have a strava account, this is a fun way to visualize your run compared to others on the same course.

Big Basin Event Pictures

Pictures will be posted shortly.

Thank you for registering using the EventRegister system administered by Orienteering USA (OUSA)

Your age for determining divisions and pricing is defined as your age at the beginning of the year.

Registration HINTS:

Page 1

If you are an OUSA member, you can retrieve your personal contact info to fill out the form or if you are not a member, click "Non-Orienteering USA Member”. 

Page 2

You enter your personal info as a non-member on the second page.  The "club" field pertains to any local Orienteering club; it will also appear in the event results.  Choose "none" if you are not a member.  Timing is done with electronic punching (similar to chip timing) - an E-punch rental is included with your registration fee but you will need to check the "Will Rent E-punch" box. If you have your own E-punch, please include the number in the "E-punch Number" field.

page 3

Find your course and use the pull-down list to choose your division.  

Please choose only one division on one course and leave the rest as "Not Competing". 

Confirm your details.

Check box, enter name, then click "Save Signed Waiver".

Refund Policy

Refund policy: 100% refund up to 10 days before event. Future race credit 1-9 days before event. No refunds for no-show.

Day of event fees

If you choose to register in person on the day of the event, the fees will be:

• 10-15km = $35/adult, $20/junior

• 15-20km = $40/adult, $23/junior

• 20-30km = $50/adult, $28/junior

• 30-40km = $65/adult, $35/junior

• 40-60km = $80/adult, $43/junior

Subtract $5 if you are an adult orienteering club member AND you have your own E-punch.

Send questions to info@navxchallenge.org

Thank you to all of our participants who took part in our Deer Creek Hills NAV-X Challenge on Nov 6, 2016!  After a number of rainy days which softened the ground and caused new growth, 83 participants were treated to perfect running weather on a challenging course set by Heidi Cusworth.  Skies were overcast most of the morning keeping the temperatures down.  This was the first time this venue was used for a navigation sport event and I'm happy to report that everything went superbly.  Everyone enjoyed a new map in fantastic new terrain and were treated to a brand new high tech results display from Jay Hann of Western Race Services.  Thanks also to Gold Country Orienteers for co-producing this event and to Bay Area Orienteering Club for providing all the control stations, bags and stands.

Results Highlights

Overall highest scores on the 2 hr course:
Rex Winterbottom (BAOC/Terraloco) - 1,400 points
Paul Ort (BAOC) - 1,340 points
Tapio Karras (BAOC) - 1,220 points
 

On the 4 hr course, the top three were:
Aron Walker (BAOC) - 2,350 points
Huon Wilson (BAOC) - 2,320 points (1.5 min faster)
Lubomir Sebo (BAOC) - 2,320 points

We would like to thank the following volunteers:
Mats Jansson – Registration, equipment, setup, takedown, control setting and control pickup
Jay Hann - ePunch and results
Heidi Cusworth – Course designer and food planner
Jonas Libell – Parking and new participant instruction
Rex Winterbottom - Food/awards shopping
Greg Favor- Control pickup
Jialing Chen and Keying Yu – Control pickup 
Ginny Laforme and Eric Robinson - Results display setup

And lastly, we wanted to recognize Fred Tracy from Sacramento Valley Conservancy (land managers), who was on site with us all during the event (over 10 hrs) and Saturday when we were putting out the control markers (9 hrs).   He also graciously offered to drive us out to the water stop on Saturday and picked up the leftover water on his own while we were picking up control markers.  Fred was onsite with us in order to satisfy the requirements of the Sacramento Valley Conservancy's safety and operational policies.

Next on the Nav-X schedule is NAV-X #6 in collaboration with terraloco - Go Wild! Red Rock Canyon at Red Rock Canyon State Park near Mojave, CA.  This is also the season finale for the NAV-X Challenge Map Trekking Race Series.

Bill Cusworth
Event director, course setter, and mapper

Please find the detailed full posted results below (click on the results you would like to view).  Please let us know if you find any discrepancies or problems at info@navxchallenge.org.

2H results

4h results

Thank you for participating in the Go Wild! Red Rock 3hr, 6hr!

3hr Results

6hr Results

Check out this cool video from The French Team's run at Red Rock Canyon

Top Results on the 3 hr course:

1. Jeremy Colgan - 1,020 points

2. Vladimir Gusiatnikov - 935 points

3. Aleksey Sabunin - 855 points

Top Results on the 6 hr course:

1. Dennis Wilkinson - 1,750 points

2. Lubomir Sebo - 1,710 points

3. Mats Jansson & Benjamin DeWitt (Atlas Trail Series) - 1,590 points

50 MPH winds Thursday = checkpoint trouble

Very sorry about the checkpoint markers that blew over and the bags that got ripped off the stands - I am missing a few bags now. Little did I know, between the 2 calm weekends, a 50 MPH windy day happened on Thursday, wreaking havoc on many of your checkpoints. I am impressed with your fortitude and determination in finding them, and apologize for any wasted time. If I had known about Thursday before you started, I would have mentioned the possibility of flattened checkpoints in the “pre game speech.” If they were all standing proud, Dennis Wilkinson and perhaps a few others would have cleared the course, and probably closer to 5 hours.

Since I set most of the checkpoints the weekend before, and I know about the wind that can kick up, most bags were purposefully not dangling. Having them tied up and anchoring them in the bushes does 3 things: 1. There is soil the stand can penetrate - everywhere else the ground is too hard. 2. It helps guard against the wind yanking them, but 50 MPH might be too much to prepare for. 3. It reduces visibility from far away, so stray hikers and fat-bikers (I saw some roaming around) are less likely to get curious and yank them; this happened to 2 checkpoints at our Nav-X High Sierra event last summer. I could have said more about this in the pre-game speech. Like #141 which was purposefully flat so passers-by would not come up and pluck it.

Dangerous Hummus

I hope you are all okay, if you ate the hummus. Costco called me today and reported there is a recall on the hummus I bought Saturday night. If you took some home, you are supposed to dispose of it. No cases have been confirmed, but Listeria bacteria was found somewhere in the manufacturing facility, and Sabra (which makes the Hummus for the Kirkland brand) wants to be extra cautious.

Please let us know if you find any discrepancies or problems at info@navxchallenge.org.

Cheers,

Rex

Thank you to all of our participants who took part in our Pacheco NAV-X Challenge!  We had another beautiful day to tackle a challenging course set by Dennis Wilkinson.  Thanks to BAOC for co-producing this event.  An extended Indian Summer provided about 50 participants with beautiful weather.

Results Highlights:

Overall highest scores on the 3 hr course:

1. Jiri Hruska (Czech) - 1,740 points
2. Tapio Karras (BAOC) - 1,540 points
3. Tommy Ingulfsen (BAOC) - 1,520 points

;interesting to note that the top two spots held by Masters runners (50+ years old) - "old guys rule" comes to mind.

On the 6 hr course, the Sebo family cleaned up (and walked off with a truck load of chocolate)!  Top three were:

1. Matej Sebo (BAOC) - 2,960 points
2. Lubomir Sebo (BAOC) - 2,460 points
3. Aron Walker (BAOC) - 2,430 points

;Matej must like this place - he won the 6 hr rogaine here 2 years ago also.

This event would not have been possible were it not for the following volunteers:

• Jay Hann - ePunch and results and control pickup
• Rex Winterbottom - Food/awards shopping, registration and control pickup
• Vicki Woolworth - Control pickup
• Mats Jansson - Equipment and control pickup

And lastly, wanted to recognize Betty Wong from the state park, who graciously offered to drive us out to the water stops, as well as taking control picker uppers to their start locations.

Please find the detailed full posted results below (click on the results you would like to view).  Please let us know if you find any discrepancies of problems at info@navxchallenge.org.

3H results

6h results

using the OUSA Event Register system to register for nav-x events

Even if you are part of a team, each person needs to register separately.  Your age for determining divisions and pricing is defined as your age at the beginning of the year.  This will ensure that you are entered in the same division for the whole season. 

Registration HINTS:

Page 1

We are using Orienteering USA’s free registration system called “Event Register” but you DON’T need to be an OUSA member to register. If you are an OUSA member, you can retrieve your personal contact info to fill out the form or if you are not a member, click "Non-Orienteering USA Member” and enter you data manually.

Page 2

You enter your personal info as a non-member on the second page.  The "club" field pertains to any local Orienteering club; it will also appear in the event results.  Choose "none" if you are not a member.  Timing is done with GPS App - no need to enter SI#.

page 3

Find your course and use the pull-down list to choose your division.  Prices for GPS courses are as follows (in-person events have their own price structure):

2-hr: $12 3-hr: $14 4-hr: $17 6hr: $20 8-hr: $25

Please choose only one division on one course and leave the rest as "Not Competing". 

All members of a team should enter the same division.

Confirm your details.

Check box, enter name, then click "Save Signed Waiver". 

Page 7

Refund Policy

No refunds after receiving the course files (pdf). 100% refund up to that point.

Please complete the form below

The 2023 NAV-X race season is here!

The plan for 2023 is to hold three in-person events, including the World Rogaining Championships at Tahoe in July! We also have four GPS events planned, each with a two month competition window.

2023 Race schedule

Each GPS course is open for two months: pick any day during those two months to be your race day. You can register and run after the end date, but it won’t count toward official results.

• March 1 - April 30: Annadel SP (Santa Rosa, CA) - 3h/6h GPS - EVENT DETAILS - RESULTS

• April 1 - May 31: Auburn SRA (Cool, CA) - 2h/4h GPS - EVENT DETAILS - RESULTS

• April 30: Pacheco SP (Hollister, CA) - 3h/6h Traditional In-Person - EVENT DETAILS - RESULTS

• July 29-30: World Rogaining Championships (co-produced with BAOC) (Northstar Resort, Truckee, CA) - 4h/24h Traditional - EVENT DETAILS - RESULTS (WRC 24-hr) - RESULTS (4-hr)

• September 1 - October 31: Sunol (Sunol, CA) - 3h/6h GPS - EVENT DETAILS - RESULTS

• October 1 - November 30: Cache Creek (Clearlake Oaks, CA) - 2h/4h GPS - EVENT DETAILS - REGISTER

• October 29: Briones (Lafayette, CA) - 2h/4h Traditional In-Person - EVENT DETAILS - RESULTS

Can you still run GPS courses from PREVIOUS YEARS?

Yes you can! But you will need to purchase a NAV-X Club Membership. For $25, you get access to all our 2021 and 2022 official GPS courses until the end of the year. Here’s what you get:

• Access 13 quality GPS map trekking courses from the 2021 and 2022 series

• Access Pacheco SP 2023 course after the in-person event has taken place

• A pair of NAV-X arm warmers (select size during sign-up)

• Discounted entry fees to NAV-X 2023 official events as well as other Orienteering club events

After signing up, you will receive an email with instructions for how to access the archived courses.

Free Local GPS Training courses

The MapRun app for GPS-based timing is pretty easy to use and intuitive. But if you want to do a dry-run, we will also have a few training courses available for free in different locations, in order to allow everyone to get used to the app before doing a “real” course that is part of the race season. Check back here as the other training courses become available.

• Peninsula/South Bay: Arastradero @ Palo Alto (1h/2h) - AVAILABLE NOW

• Sacramento area: Mississippi Bar @ Orangevale (1h/2h) - AVAILABLE NOW

• East Bay: Joaquin Miller @ Oakland (1h/2h) - AVAILABLE NOW

How DO GPS COURSES Work?

All you need is a smart phone running either iOS or Android. Here are the basic steps:

Before race day

• Sign up online using the links in the schedule above. (you can decide on your race date later) - within 24 hours, you will receive a confirmation email with links to the map files and course instructions.

• If you haven’t already done so, Install the MapRun app, ver. 6 or 7.

• On your phone, load the chosen course when you have reliable Internet service.

On race day

• When you are ready to start your run, open the app and walk toward the Start location until the app beeps. This starts the race clock.

• Run the course - the app will beep at each checkpoint you visit. You can keep phone packed away while you run. Keep in mind the following as you run:

  • Be respectful of other park visitors

  • Practice Leave No Trace (LNT)

  • Have a safety plan (tell someone where you are going, ideally run with someone, bring first aid kit, etc.)

• Run to the Finish, the app will beep, telling you that you have finished your run.

After race day

• Final official results will be posted and sent out via email to all participants within a few days of the end of the 2-month competition window.

• You can also view your splits and track in the app or online, and after the course has closed, you can also compare your checkpoint sequence, splits and GPS tracks with fellow runners (Route Gadget)

Get all the details here.

How do GPS events differ from regular events?

As with most things, there are pros and cons, and in this case there are in fact a surprising number of advantages.

What’s great about it?

• Can set courses where it’s hard to otherwise have large group events

• Can have Start/Finish locations better suited to the course (example Cache Creek we can Start/Finish in the middle)

• Easier and less costly to organize, resulting in...

• ...lower race fees (much lower!)

• Can do the course when it fits your schedule.  Courses will be open for an entire month.

• A wealth of post-race data and route analysis, including control sequence, route, time tracking on legs, etc.

What’s different/challenging?

• Won’t be able to socialize with other racers around the food table - you provide your own post-race food and refreshments.

• You have to print your own maps (we provide PDF files).

• We can’t enforce a time cap on route planning (this may be perceived as a benefit to some).

• You’ll be waiting for a beep from your phone, rather than looking for an orange/white flag (we will mark with biodegradable flagging but no guarantee it will be there all the time - other visitors, cows or deer may remove)

• Individual safety preparations become critical as there will not be any race organization at the venue - you’re it!  As a result, we will not be doing anything longer than 8 hours using the GPS system.

We think the Pros outweigh the Cons and think you will really enjoy racing this way.  We look forward to watching the leader boards as the season gets underway.  Adventure on in 2023!

The NAV-X Team

first timers: read these important registration instructions

2023 gps courses (available for official results & series points)

Refund Policy

No refunds after receiving the course files (pdf) the day before the event window opens. 100% refund up to that point.

GPS event fees

Here are the (sharply reduced for GPS style) fees for signing up:

• 2 HR = $12

• 3 HR = $14

• 4 HR = $17

• 6 HR = $22

• 8 HR = $27

Send questions to info@navxchallenge.com