2026 Wednesday Evening #5 – Bellevue College
The fifth event in the 2026 Wednesday Evening Series will be held at Bellevue College! The Wednesday Evening Series is our most relaxed, casual set of navigation events, held in local parks once the weather (hopefully) warms up. These events are a little more low-key than those in the Winter League, and we typically offer a barbeque afterward for all participants.
Events in the Wednesday Evening Series are generally less challenging (both physically and navigationally) than many of our other events, and are therefore great for beginners and those less experienced with orienteering – while also offering a challenge to longtime participants of the sport.
We will be offering day-of event registration in addition to preregistration. There will be no start time pre-signup.
COURSES
Course designer(s): Christophe Delepine
Course 1 (Beginner): 1.0 km, 10 controls, 10m climb
Course 2 (Intermediate): 2.0 km, 12 controls, 25m climb
Course 3 (Advanced): 3.1 km, 16 controls, 40m climb
Course 4 (2+3): 5.1 km, 28 controls, 65m climb
How are courses measured?
Courses are measured as the crow flies, in a direct line from control to control. Unless you have wings, you will travel farther than this distance! Courses are measured in kilometers, so a good rule of thumb is to simply round up to miles to estimate how far you will go. So in a 5 kilometer race, you’ll likely travel up to 5 miles.
COURSE NOTES
Join us for our WES event on the Bellevue College campus, a venue we know well from previous races. This venue is suitable for all experience levels, from newcomers to seasoned orienteers looking to sharpen their navigation skills.
Expect a mix of open courtyards, building corridors, and wooded edges typical of the campus terrain. Advanced courses will venture into the multi-level buildings network – but not as much as previous races.
This is summer break, so while the campus is quieter, there will still be some students or visitors around and active car traffic in parking lots and access roads. Please use extra caution at all road crossings and follow standard traffic rules.
Out-of-bounds areas:
- Olive green: you will find plenty of it on this map such as landscaped/manicured spaces, private property and sports fields.
- Construction zones (purple hashing): part of the campus is still being remodeled and fenced. Map is up to date and these areas are off-limits to us.
Please respect these OOB areas for your safety, and because we want to come back!
Please park in Parking Lot 8 on campus. Payment is required by Bellevue College via the onsite kiosk.
Finally, the weather is forecast to be very hot, with highs close to 90F. Remember to hydrate!
SCHEDULE
5:00 pm – Registration and starts open.
7:00 pm – Registration and starts close.
8:00 pm – Course closure.
Why is there a start window?
This event uses an interval start, which means that participants are started in waves instead of all at once. When you arrive at the start tent, find the chute for your course and follow the start volunteer’s instructions.
PRICES
PRE-REGISTRATION PRICES
$22 base price
– subtract $5 for CascadeOC members
– subtract $5 for using your own e-punch
DAY-OF-EVENT REGISTRATION
$25 base price
– subtract $5 for CascadeOC members
– subtract $5 for using your own e-punch
Participating as a group? Just $5 for each additional adult (18+) group
member, no cost for additional minors.
What’s an e-punch?
An e-punch records your race. At each control, you’ll dip the e-punch into an electronic box, which will beep and flash as confirmation. After you finish, you’ll download the e-punch at the download tent and get a receipt that show which controls you visited and how long you took between each; these are your “splits.”
Part of the fun of orienteering is comparing your splits with people who completed the same course, and discussing the routes you took!
SIGN UP
Online pre-registration closes:
Day-of-event registration is available by cash or check, made payable to Cascade Orienteering Club.
LOCATION
PARKING
Parking will be located in Parking Lot 8 on campus. Payment for parking is required by Bellevue College via the onsite kiosk.
CARPOOL
Looking for a carpool? Join the club email group and share your request to find a ride.
THE MAP
Situated just north of I-90 between Factoria and Lake Sammamish, Bellevue College is a fun little campus that’s fairly standard but includes one particularly notable feature – a series of elevated outdoor walkways which connect the main 8-10 buildings of the campus core. Reminiscent of North Seattle College, these walkways significantly enhance the orienteering complexity and navigational challenge of the venue by adding a third dimension to potential control locations and route choice options. Beyond this, the map includes various other buildings, sports fields, and parking lots.
Read more on the map pageSAFETY & ETIQUETTE
Return to the Finish
All participants MUST return to the finish and download their e-punch or turn in their punch card.
Even if you have not finished your course, you must still return to the the finish and confirm with event staff that you have returned safely.
Out of Bounds
Some areas may be marked out of bounds. It is imperative to respect these boundaries to maintain our relationships with land managers. Participants MUST NOT go out of bounds. Any participant caught going out of bounds will be disqualified.
Course Closure
All participants MUST return to the finish by course closure time. If a participant does not return by course closure, event volunteers will begin coordinating a search party.
If you need a long time on the course, start as early in the start window as possible, wear a watch, and be prepared to cut your course short to make it back by the course closure time.
Whistle
All participants MUST carry a whistle on the course. Complimentary whistles are available at the start tent (please only take one).
If you are injured on the course and need assistance, blow three long blasts to call for help.
If you hear a call for help, abandon your course to find the person in distress.
Voices
Part of the fun and fairness of orienteering is navigating your own course, so please be polite when you find a checkpoint and don’t holler that you’ve found it.
