OGL 1.5 Mile Run Wherigo Cache

Are you ready for the Oak Grove Lake 1.5 Mile Run?

UPDATE: If you downloaded this cartridge prior to February 7, please update to the latest version. There is now a note to let you know that the timer has started (ver. 1.4).

What is this cache?

This is a (very) special Wherigo cache that requires you to complete a timed 1.5 mile run in order to get the final coordinates! If you complete this challenge in 30 minutes or less, you will receive the coordinates. If you complete the challenge in 15 minutes or less you will also receive the coordinates to The OGL 1.5 Mile Run - Gold Award cache (GC4XY5M), another Wherigo cache that uses the same cartridge but requires a faster time of completion. However, if you take more than 30 minutes to complete this cache, you receive nothing but a DNF.

Wherigo caches

Wherigo is a system for creating and playing GPS-enabled adventures in the real world. It uses GPS technology to lead you to real locations where you then play games and interact with virtual objects to complete an objective.

To use a Wherigo cartridge, you must have either a Wherigo-enabled GPS unit, or an android smartphone or iPhone. You must have a Wherigo app installed on your device.
Apps: iPhone Wherigo app; Android WhereYouGo app; Pocket PC Wherigo player

To learn more about wherigos, take a look at the Wherigo FAQ for additional information or you can jump right into Wherigo.com to learn more about Wherigo GPS-enabled adventures, Play Anywhere cartridges, and the growing number of Wherigo geocaches.

There is a much more extensive walk through on how to use Wherigo cartridges on the cache page for The Hermitage Gardens: A Walking Tour that you can read to become familiar with Wherigo cartridges and the Wherigo apps.

The 1.5 Mile Run Challenge

Here is a step-by-step instruction on how to complete the challenge:

1. Download the Wherigo cartridge and transfer to your device.
2. Proceed to the parking coordinates listed on this page.
3. Start the wherigo cartridge.
4. When started, the cartridge will give you some brief reminder information, and show a large area on the map named "Warm-up Area". This zone is located at the end of the trail leading from the parking lot to the 1.5 mile lake trail. Proceed to the Warm-up area.
5. Once you enter the Warm-up area, you will again receive some brief reminders and a "Starting Line" zone will appear. This Starting Line begins just around the post marked "Start" at the left side (facing the lake) of the Warm-up area. Please, take your time in the Warm-up area to warm up and stretch out. Take care not to enter the starting line zone before you are ready to begin the challenge! We recommend that you remain to the right in the Warm-up zone, so that any random GPS bounce won't accidentally send you over the Starting Line!
6. Once you are ready to begin the challenge, start running clockwise around the lake trail. That is, when you are facing the lake with the parking lot to your back, you will be running left along the trail. The instant you enter the Starting Line zone, the Wherigo will start a timer, and you are on the clock. A message will appear that lets you know that the timer has started. Click "okay" and start running! The Starting Line is set to start at the post marked "Start" on the right side of the trail, but keep in mind that your GPS may position you +-10 feet from your actual location.
7. Continue to run clockwise around the entire 1.5 mile trail until you reach the Finish Line, located at the same area as the Warm-up Area. The Finish Line is set to start at the post marked 1.5 miles at the right side of the trail.
8. You must run the entire 1.5 miles clockwise around the lake. Why? Because there are 5 "Gate Zones" located at even 0.25 mile intervals (coinciding with the 0.25 mile posts) along the entire trail! The Wherigo will track you as you run, and you must pass through the zones in order (1 through 5) before the Finish Line zone will appear! That's right, you can't cheat. As you pass Gate 1, Gate 2 will appear 0.25 miles further down the trail, and then Gate 3 once you pass Gate 2, and so on. If you run along the trail you do not need to worry about these gates; there is absolutely no action required on your part other than to continue to run along the trail! The Wherigo has a sound that is set to play every time you enter one of these Gate Zones (Disclaimer: This may not work on all devices, and you must of course have your volume turned up to hear it), as well as at the Finish Line. This is just to keep you in the loop that you passed another Gate or finished the challenge distance.
9. Once you have run the entire 1.5 miles, passing through the Gate Zones on the way, and enter the Finish Line, the timer will stop. The Wherigo will show you your result (in seconds), and there are three possible outcomes.
   1. You completed the run in more than 30 minutes (1800 seconds or more): Sorry, you did not complete the challenge. You do not receive any coordinates, and cannot claim a smiley. Regroup, and try again some other time!
   2. You completed the run in less than 30 minutes but more than 15 minutes (between 900 and 1800 seconds): Congratulations, you completed the challenge! You will receive the coordinates for the hide for this Wherigo cache, and can go ahead and proceed to GZ, make the find, and claim your well-deserved smiley!
   3. You completed the run in less than 15 minutes (900 seconds or less): Awesome! Great job! Congratulations! You not only completed the challenge, you did so in a great time! As a special reward, you will receive not only the coordinates for this cache, but ALSO the coordinates for The OGL 1.5 Mile Run - Gold Award cache! That's right, two sets of coordinates! Proceed to the GZ for this cache, make the find, proudly claim the smiley, then move on and find The Gold Award. Truly, only a few will have the honor to log The Gold Award
10. When you log this cache, please include your final time in the log. This is completely voluntary and not a requirement to log the cache! It is simply a fun way to keep a "Hall of Fame" for those who have completed the cache!

Tips and Hints.
After you have entered the Starting Zone, remain close to the right side (facing the lake) when you stretch and warm up. This will help prevent accidentally starting the timer. When you are ready, do a running start from the center toward the start post (remember; clockwise!) so that you are already running when you enter the Starting Line zone and the timer starts.

Use a sleeve holder, or belt clip, or hold the GPS unit in your hand while running, to ensure that you have good reception throughout the entire run. It would really be a pain if you completed the run only to discover that you lost reception halfway through!

Don't hurt yourself over this cache! You know best your own limits. Do not overexert yourself, be mindful of the weather (extreme heat? Don't do this. Snow and ice on the ground? Don't do this), and remember to hydrate well. There are other ways to complete this challenge if you absolutely must...

How To Cheat.
Do you really want this challenge cache, but are for any reason unable to complete it yourself? Well, here are some ways you can cheat and complete the challenge.
First option, perform some weeks of consistent exercise, building up your stamina so that you can crush this challenge with your awesome cardiovascular capacity. Admittedly, this is not much of a cheat as much as the proper way to do this cache. Perhaps this cache can inspire you to reach new fitness goals?
Second option, go in a group with a designated runner. We all have those crazy friends who actually like running (HennyPenny114, we're looking right at you!). Put that person to work to beat the clock while you kick back and wait for them at the finish line. Perhaps cheer them on a bit, wave some signs and pom poms to encourage them?
Third option, go in a group and make a relay run. Leave one person with the GPS unit in the Warm-up area, set up the other runners along the trail at even intervals, and then pass the unit along like a baton! It will spread the load, enabling each person to run a bit faster over a shorter distance. Although, there is some coordination needed to do those nice running baton passes!
Final option, use a bike. Yup, bikes are allowed in this park and on this trail, and there is nothing we can do to prevent you from grabbing your bike and speed around the trail in no time at all. All we ask, if you do decide to cheat and use a bike, to please refrain from posting your time and claiming that you ran the challenge in that time. It would not be fair to the others in the Hall of Fame. However, do please post your time and be honest that you used a bike! We will absolutely honor your smiley (you cheated, you deserve it!) and happily record your time in the Hall of Infamy! There is a certain pride to that as well, I guess?

Challenge FAQ

Can I complete this challenge anytime? No, to complete this challenge you must be in Oak Grove Lake Park. This park is only open sunrise to sunset!. Please obey the open times!

Are dogs allowed? Yes, dogs are allowed in the park.

What happens if I miss one of the Gate Zones when I run? The Gate Zones are designed to be impossible to miss (unless you are using a GPS with more than say about 100-150 feet error radius). The zones extend to either side of the trail, and also continue for quite a distance along the trail to ensure that the Wherigo cartridge will know that you passed through the Gate.

What if my GPS unit drops the reception?. That would be bad, and if it causes you to miss a zone you will not be able to complete the challenge. We recommend that you keep your device either in your hand, or perhaps strapped to your arm, so that it has continuous line of sight with the sky and those nice million-dollar GPS satellites.

If I cheat and use a bike and say so in my log, will you delete my log? No. We will honor your devious ways and let you keep your smiley. We will also list you in the Hall of Infamy, if you post your time.

I accidentally found this cache by accident without doing the challenge, can I claim the smiley anyway?Technically, we cannot stop you from claiming the smiley even if you found it by accident. Please, we ask you to write a note instead, saying you found it, but wait and do not log a smiley until you actually complete the challenge!

Hall of Fame

Who will be the first Hall of Famer? Who is the Fastest Cacher in Hampton Roads? We will see...

Hall of Infamy

Who will be the first Honest Cheater? Who cares more for a smiley than a challenge? We will see...