Valentine Hunt
Woodland Trails Scout Reservation
Feb. 10, 2019
The weather for the 2019 version of the Valentine Hunt was similar to past years. With the temperature hovering around the freezing point all day, everything was clear until snow began to fall around noon, sometimes obscuring visibility. A couple of inches fell before the snowfall tapered off around 4pm.
There were 78 starts and about 85 orienteers.
There were many runners competing above their weight class. Just because you can complete an advanced course in a schoolyard or city park doesn't mean you can do it in a real forest. Leaders need to take into account the actual map/terrain before signing the kids up for a course. Also, many kids cut their course short because they were out in the snow without gloves and their hands were frozen. Leaders need to counsel their charges to wear gloves if they have them; otherwise improvise with extra socks.
Reed M.. was the winner in the Primary School category. The white course was obviously more of a challenge this year as Reed took five times longer to finish than he did last year.
Ethan P. was the repeat winner on the Yellow course. Julie G. took first in the Middle School Female category.
The Orange course was, once again, technically difficult. The fastest time was, once again, put in by stalwart veteran Warren M., who finished the course in one hour, edging out his longtime rival Pat M. Mahlon P. was the Junior Varsity Male winner, while Cheyenne H. heroically stuck it out to garner the laurel in Junior Varsity Female.
On the Green course, veteran Shin S. had the winning time, beating out Sam R. who placed first in Varsity Male. . Chiori S. was a three-peat winner in the female category of Green.
On the Valentine Hunt's signature Purple course Greg F. beat out his rival Rob M. They were both competing after finishing a 3 hour score O the day before.
If your name does not appear in the results, it is because you did not download or you did not punch the finish control. Please download at future events, so that we know that you are not still out on the course. If you DNF you can still compare your completed splits in the results, unless you have not punched the Fiinish control.
Thanks to Shane D, Matt B, Laurie S., and Sharon B for help with registration. And thanks to Joe R. and Matt B. and the Union Co. Orienteering Team for control pickup. Specials thanks to Mike M for help with all aspects of the event from flag placement to registration to control pickup.
Tom S
Meet Director