March 21, 2026

Orienteering is an outdoor adventure sport where participants use a map and compass to navigate through a course, finding checkpoints scattered throughout a park or natural area. For this event, we used MapRun, a modern twist that lets runners track their progress via a smartphone app. MapRun digitally records each checkpoint visit, allowing competitors to complete the course at their own pace and submit results remotely.

With Tucson’s Saturday forecast calling for scorching temperatures, the event organizers decided to open the course early, starting at 0730am to beat the worst of the heat. By 0800am, nearly all 12 participants were out navigating, and three took advantage of a Beginner’s Clinic led by Peg Davis. Peg’s warm guidance helped newcomers learn the basics, ensuring everyone felt confident and ready to enjoy the course.

Among the day’s memorable moments, Peg Davis encountered the wild side of the park firsthand. As she trekked through brush and tall grasses, her pants became a collector of weed seeds, sticking stubbornly to the fabric and making her look like she’d just returned from a botany expedition.   Another participant unexpectedly extended their adventure by taking a spontaneous home and garden tour—mistakenly following a path that led them through a nearby neighborhood and a tall fence. Instead of frustration, this became a source of amusement, as they returned with stories and a finish time noticeably longer than planned. These anecdotes highlight the unpredictable nature of orienteering, where every route is unique and every misstep often leads to a good story.

We were delighted to welcome Michael Ryan, a brand-new face, and several “snow birds”—who joined before heading to cooler destinations. Local participants showed true spirit, braving the unusual warmth to be part of the gathering. After finishing, everyone gathered around for cool water and freshly baked cookies, using the treats as fuel for lively route discussions and shared laughter.

 

The newly mapped area was a hit, expanding the possibilities for future orienteering adventures within Tucson’s parks. Because this event used the MapRun format, participants have until March 29th to complete their runs and upload times, keeping the spirit of the event alive and welcoming even more people to join in.

- Yvonne Poe