By Yurii Konovalenko

Welcome to the UC Berkeley event — which is #5 in the 2026 BAOC Summer Series — on Sunday, August 16! The Berkeley campus is a classic Sprint-orienteering venue: a dense network of buildings, courtyards, paths, and staircases on a sloping hillside, where fast map reading and smart route choice matter far more than raw running speed. Whether you are a first-timer or preparing for bigger races, there is a course for you.

Courses ↑

Here are the course details:

    Course     Length     Climb   Controls   Navigation
    Beginner   1.98 km     40 m      11      Beginner  
    Short      3.95 km     60 m      13      Advanced  
    Long       7.77 km    125 m      24      Advanced

Per the IOF rules for Sprint Orienteering, course lengths are measured as the length of the straight lines from the Start via the controls to the Finish, deviating for, and only for, physically impassable obstructions (buildings, impassable walls and fences, etc.), prohibited areas, and marked routes. In other words, the stated length is the shortest possible legal route — your actual distance will depend on your route choices.)

The Beginner course stays on obvious paths and features, and is a great introduction to orienteering — free beginner instruction is available at the assembly area from 9:30 to 11:30 AM.

The Short and Long courses are "Sprint-style" advanced courses: technically intricate legs with frequent decision points, sharp turns, and multiple, viable, route choices.

Map flip on the Long course: The Long course is printed on both sides of the map. Controls 1–14 are on the first side; after punching control 14, flip the map over for the rest of the course (controls 15–24 and the Finish). Don't forget to flip — the race clock keeps running while you stare at the side you've already completed!

Note that only the Short and Long courses count for Summer Series ranking points, and only if you run a ranking course as your first course at the event.

The Short and Long courses share some control sites, but the approaches to those controls are usually different, and no leg is the same on both courses. So, you could enjoy running both courses!

Map ↑

The map is by Matej Šebo, drawn to the International Specification for Sprint Orienteering Maps (ISSprOM 2019-2), at a scale of 1:4,000 with a contour interval of 2.5 m. The map will be updated for the latest campus construction shortly before the event.

Two things to keep in mind:

• North lines are not parallel to the edges of the paper — orient your map with your compass using north lines, not the paper edge.
• Not all of the controls you see out on the campus will be on your course. Controls are close together in places, so check the control code before punching.

Sprint Rules — Forbidden Features ↑

Standard Sprint rules apply. Thus, it is not allowed to cross, or reach across or through these features on the map:

• Olive-green areas (out of bounds — typically flower beds and landscaping), including construction zones
• Dark-green linear features (hedges)
• Thick black lines (impassable walls)
• Thick black lines with double ticks (impassable fences)
• Buildings
• Areas marked with out-of-bounds (purple) overprint

Even where a forbidden feature looks easy to step over, don't do it — the rules protect both the campus landscaping and fair competition.

You will be disqualified if you violate the rules.

Construction Zones ↑

There are several construction zones on campus this year, and some of the routes pass right next to them. All construction areas are out of bounds, and will be marked on the map. Please be careful when running alongside them: watch for temporary fencing, uneven ground, and occasional construction traffic near the gates — and give workers and equipment plenty of room. If a fence has appeared where the map shows a passage, treat the fence as reality and go around.

Safety ↑

The campus is open to the public and will be busy. Watch out for cars and service vehicles on campus roads, and for cyclists and scooters on the paths — be especially careful at blind corners around buildings. Pedestrians always have the right of way. Please respect all campus signs and regulations.

There will be no water on the courses — carry your own if you need it, especially on a warm August day. Per our permit conditions, no snacks will be served at this event.

All courses close at 2:00 PM. Please report to the Finish by then even if you have not completed your course.

Route-Choice Discussion After Your Run ↑

I will hold a short on-site discussion of the route choices at the assembly area — the legs where the biggest time gains (and losses) were possible, and how the best routes compared:

• 12:40 PM – Short course
• 1:00 PM – Long course

If you would like to attend, please plan accordingly, and start early enough to be back in time. A detailed written version of the analysis will also be posted on the event results page afterwards.

Good luck, and see you at the Start!