Mitcham Mystery Map

Thursday, 16 May 2013

It was with some consternation that we realised that the maps printed for this event were missing something vital - the control circles and numbers! Too late to get hold of the right map, we had to think quickly of an alternative.  Options included cancelling the event - only as a last resort; or making up a new course on the spot and getting everyone to copy it onto the blank maps - feasible but slow.  We had one other problem - unless we could find out where the control plates were, we wouldn't be able to collect them afterwards (the course setter was unable to be at the event, having put the controls out earlier in the day).

The solution? Turn the event into a giant Teams Treasure Hunt, by sending 77 people out with blank maps and asking them to locate the 20 controls, then memorise where they were until returning to the finish, when we would draw the circles onto a master map.  This basically meant that everyone chose their own route, and hoped to stumble across the control plates which could be chained to any of hundreds of light poles.

Everyone agreed readily to this plan, and at 7:05pm we set off into the dark shadowy night.  It was a fascinating exercise - some took a scientific approach, while others (like me) opted for a random route and hoped for the best.  People teamed up and planned grid searches to cover all eventualities. Excitement at finding control plates knew no bounds, even if it was only a lowly 2 pointer (in 40 minutes, I found only nos 1 and 2, but narrowly missed finding numerous others).  Information was readily shared and the spirit of collaboration added to the fun.  Most people returned at their usual finish time and as the mystery locations were gradually revealed, we wondered how long it would take for 77 people conducting a random search, to correctly locate 20 controls on a map with around 100 streets spread over about 3 sq kms.  The answer? About 45 minutes!  That's remarkable given all the possibilities.  What's more, I received a report today that the master map was incredibly accurate and that it was used to retrieve all 20 controls with no problems whatsoever - an amazing team effort.  The most controls found by one person, that I heard about, was 10, by Andrew.  Did anyone find more?

As for the results, all participants will receive their series average score, which allows attendance to be recorded and Millennium Club points to be awarded, but will have no effect on the overall results for the series.  And no, we're not planning to use this format (hopefully) again any time soon, although everyone seemed to enjoy it.  Next week we'll be back to our regular format, at Belmore Parklands.