Urban Mailbox Madness Event: This Saturday, January 13!
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Topic created by joeymcgarvey on Mon Jan 8, 2024 at 10:12 pmHello everyone,Join us for Mailbox Madness, an urban orienteering event series in Philadelphia. Events follow a Score-O format, with USPS mailboxes instead of control flags. Tag as many mailboxes as you can in 60 minutes--pace and route choice are up to you. Scoring is unofficial, on the honor system. Note that urban running involves risk--please use caution when crossing streets. Mass Start at 10 am. Please arrive a few minutes early to enter and collect your map.Ian Whitehead and I are running this event series, based on our experience with similar races in Scotland. You might have previously seen it on the DVOA schedule, but these are going to be unofficial training events instead.Our first event is in the Fairmount neighborhood of Phildelphia, this Saturday, January 13. The starting location is the Eastern State Penitentiary entrance at 2027 Fairmount Avenue. There is a $2 entry fee to cover map printing, payable by cash or Venmo at the start. There is no need to register in advance, but please respond to this message if you want to let us know you're interested in this or future Mailbox Madness events.
While you're in Fairmount: visit the Eastern State Penitentiary, try brunch at Sabrina's, or run up the steps of the Art Museum (the art inside is great, too)!Future Mailbox Madness Events (meeting locations TBD):Saturday, February 10, 10 am: Chestnut HillSaturday, March 9, 10 am: West PhiladelphiaHope to see you there,Joey -
Reply by wriley on Tue Jan 9, 2024 at 10:05 amThis looks fun! Darn I'll be out of town.
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Reply by sfmones on Wed Jan 10, 2024 at 11:47 amThe Urban Orienteering sounds interesting.A number of years ago the San Diego Orienteering Club had an event somewhat similar to this. Instead of mailboxes, it used utililty boxes and telephone poles. Each box or pole had a unique number plate. One had to use the map and clue sheet to go to the matching boxes and poles. I had never before noticed how many utility boxes and light poles there were in a typical neighborhood. We also had some interesting looks from residents wondering why all those people were running around looking at their utility boxes and light poles!Steve
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Reply by joeymcgarvey on Wed Jan 10, 2024 at 12:25 pmAh, I like that, Steve! We may get some interesting looks on Saturday as well. :)Our training is based on this series done by STAG (the Glasgow club).
