Words from a Race Director » Checkpoint Adventures News

Nothing Happened In 2010

kfordham281 — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 22:15:19 +0000

I see at least a few people still visit this website based on the stats I look at. I thought I’d update this blog to let everyone know what’s going on. While 2010 did bring the end of our home renovation (moved back in mid February), it wasn’t the only big change this year. Patrick Bair, the main force behind the Ultra O-gaine, moved to Denver with his girlfriend Colleen. I had talks with another area race director to join me in putting on the UOG prior to Patrick’s move, but just felt that in the end I couldn’t commit the time necessary to make the UOG the great event it has always been. While the UOG has always been profitable, it was the hanging out with friends and the outdoors that drove us to put on the event. Similarly to why the A24 didn’t return for a third year, the UOG didn’t return because my friend and parter moved away.

2010 wasn’t a total bust for me personally. I finally returned to running, and despite a miserable July, trained enough to finish the 11 mile StumpJump in Chattanooga. It was the training for the SJ 50K a number of years ago that I injured my knee which put me on the shelf for a few years. It felt good to return to trail running and despite a late and rushed start, I finished and had a good time. I’m looking to return again in 2011 and perform better. My biking and camping were next to nothing, but I did have enough time to build a bar and put together my man cave in our basement. Just a few finishing touches remain and I can put the man cave project to rest.

So what does that leave for 2011? Unfortunately I don’t believe any Checkpoint Adventures events will happen in 2011. I’ve had a web project in mind for several years and my resolution for 2011 is to finally get it off the ground and launch it. I’m looking to begin shortly and launch it sometime in mid/late 2011.

I’ll have some news regarding Checkpoint Adventures in the first few months of 2011. Stay tuned.

I hope everyone had a safe and adventurous 2010. See you in 2011!

-Kevin

No UOG In 2009

kfordham281 — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 02:55:55 +0000

I promised an update on the Ultra O-gaine and here it is. Sadly, the UOG will not happen in 2009. My wife and I have decided that this is the most opportunistic time to renovate our home so we are going forward with those plans. Because of the renovation, I will not have the necessary time to devote to the UOG this year.

We haven’t made any decision on the UOG going forward, so don’t rule out a 2010 edition.

Thank you to all those who emailed us about the UOG. Patrick and I couldn’t be more proud that you all enjoy the event so much.

See you on the trails,

Kevin and Patrick

Update About UOG 2009

kfordham281 — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:02:51 +0000

I’ve gotten a number of emails asking about the 2009 edition of the Ultra O-gaine so I thought I would let everyone know what is going on. I’ll include a short answer and a long answer.

Short Answer
At this time I just can’t say if the UOG will happen this year. I should know by the end of January however.

Long Answer
As some of you know, Patrick Bair and I have been putting on the UOG for the last 3 years. The concept of the event was Patrick’s and much of the drive to put it together came from him. I enjoyed the low stress of the event compared to directing an Adventure Race and also liked hanging out with Patrick (and his girl friend Colleen) while we set the course and during other meetings about the event. Patrick took care of many of the course design and race day documents while I took care of the website, registration, and some of the back-end stuff. We consulted each other on anything we had questions about, be it course related, websites stuff, etc. Neither of us really liked doing sponsorship work so we just said forget it and instead focused our energies on bringing you, the racers, the best experience we could.

Due to a new job, Patrick won’t be able to help out with the event as much this year. Prior to the new job, Patrick and I were discussing the 2009 race and possible new locations. With the changes in his job, much of the course design and duties Patrick was performing would fall to me. Patrick will still be able to design the event map and consult on course design, so the end result will mostly be transparent.

I can’t direct the event by myself, so I’ve asked another experienced RD to help me out. I should know sometime this week if he’s able to be the co-race director with me.

There is one last possible hiccup that could derail the 2009 UOG. My wife and I have been talking about doing an extension on our home for the last year or so. If we proceed, there is a pretty real chance we’ll have to move out of our home while the work is going on. If this happens, I don’t think I’ll have time to devote to the UOG. I should know in the next 2-3 weeks if we are going to proceed with the home extension.

If the event does take place, the event weekend may change. The date really depends on how fast we can get a permit approved however. If you have a preferred time of year other than when the event usually takes place (mid May – mid June), please let us know. You can leave a comment in this post below.

I’d like to say a big “Thank You” to everyone that has contacted us about the 2009 UOG. It really means a lot to both Patrick and I that you all enjoy the event so much.

Hopefully we’ll see you in 2009,

Kevin

UOG 2008 Received Some Press!

kfordham281 — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 02:06:24 +0000

Thanks to the Greenville News, the UOG received some press for the first time! Mike Foley profiled three Greenville area UOG participants and threw in some rogaine history also. You can read the entire article HERE.

Armchair Navigators Rejoice! – UOG Google Earth Map

kfordham281 — Sat, 17 May 2008 12:00:00 +0000

If you’d like to take a look at the 2008 Ultra O-gaine course, download the map with this Google Earth file. Open the file in Google Earth and have fun exploring the course. You can even head on over to the Race HQ Chat Room and talk about the course with others!

I had problems loading the kmz file in Google Earth on my Mac (tested fine on Windows). If you’re a Mac user and got it to work, let me know the version you’re using in the comments.

UOG Registration Ends May 5th

kfordham281 — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:47:13 +0000

Just a quick note about the Ultra O-gaine. If you are thinking about registering for the UOG, you should consider doing so shortly. Registration will remain open until May 5th, 2008. After May 5th, we will no longer accept registrations. We stop registration early so we can order the correct number of maps and allow proper time for printing and shipping. Don’t let your chance at participation in this fun navigation event pass you by!

See you in May!

Kevin and Patrick

UOG Early Registration Ends Soon

kfordham281 — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 17:58:34 +0000

If you want to save some cash while registering for the Ultra O-gaine, you need to do so before April 2nd. Early registration saves you $10 and guarantees that you get a swag item. After April 1st, the price increases by $10 and you are no longer guaranteed to receive a swag item. We have to place our swag order shortly after April 1st so while we do order a few extras, they will not last.

Registration trends for 2008 are running ahead of 2007 trends. At this pace, it’s fairly likely we will sell out of the 100 slots we have open. We’re very excited that all these folks will come out and enjoy a great day in the woods with us. Will you be one of them?

Our Website Is iPhone Optimized

kfordham281 — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 22:01:15 +0000

In what may be of interest to nearly none of our core audience, our website has been optimized with a few iPhone (and iPod touch) specific touches. If you’re browsing our website with Mobile Safari, you might notice things look better here than on some other websites you visit. We’ve optimized the screen size so you have to zoom in/out less. We’ve also added custom Web Clip bookmark icons for the A24 and UOG websites. Gadgets and adventure racers go hand in hand some maybe others besides Cathi and I will notice the changes. If not, it didn’t take much time anyways!

2008 Ultra O-gaine Registration Is Open

kfordham281 — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 03:00:32 +0000

Registration for the 2008 Ultra O-gaine is now open! The event will again take place inside Prentice Cooper State Forest just outside Chattanooga, TN. We have both 12 hour (Half Ultra) and 24 hour (Ultra) courses available for your navigation pleasure. The Ultra O-gaine will be open to solos and teams of two and three.

The 2008 UOG will be fairly similar in structure to the 2007 event, but of course with an entirely new course. Due to higher costs to produce the UOG, we’ve also had to raise the entry fee. Higher costs for permitting, unleaded gas, and credit card processing fees were the major reasons for the price increase.

Ultra distance Orienteering and roGAINE; the Ultra O-gaine will be fraught with difficult navigation throughout the rugged terrain of Prentice Cooper State Forest. This event will be similar to a traditional rogaine with a few surprises thrown in. You will spend significant time off trail during both courses!

If navigation is your bag, this is THE event you don’t want to miss in 2008.

When: May 16-17, 2008
Where: Just outside Chattanooga, TN

We are limiting this event to 100 people. Last year, we had over 90 and turned a few away at the last minute. With teams from all over the East Coast including, AR, NC, MI, CT, TN, FL, GA, SC, MO, and KY, this event will be near capacity. Get in while you can.

Patrick and I hope to see you in May!

Thank you to our 2007 sponsors

kfordham281 — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 01:34:52 +0000

I’d like to take a moment and say thank you to each of our sponsors in 2007. Without their sponsorship, your swag bags would have been lighter and the prize table smaller. Our sponsors were very gracious this year and we want to take a moment to highlight the companies that helped us in 2007. We choose sponsors that produce/deliver products that we use ourselves or that we think would be of interest to those who participate in our events. We hope you enjoyed the goodies provided by our sponsors. Please think of our sponsors when you are making your next endurance related purchases.

Hammer Nutrition: Hammer Nutrition makes a ton of products for endurance athletes and provided samples and prizes for the UOG. I’ve sworn by e-caps for a number of years and use some of their other products as well.

Zanfel: Zanfel provided some prizes for the UOG. Cathi and I have used Zanfel after placing checkpoints in Poison Ivy infested areas a number of times the past few years. I think the most either of us got after using Zanfel was maybe one or two bumps with zero itching. I highly recommend their product.

Paceline Products Butt’r: Paceline Products provided samples and prizes for A24 before it was canceled. Anyone who has ridden a long ride without Butt’r can tell you what a great product it is. Any ride over 2-3 hours shouldn’t be done without Butt’r.

Mytopo: Mytopo printed all the maps for UOG this year. They make it affordable for us to give you great maps. You can print out your own custom map at their website too. Patrick and I have been very pleased working with Mytopo the last few years.