FallsQuest 2025 | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Sunday, May 25th

FallsQuest 2025

Overview

It’s time for the 11th edition of the FallsQuest, a giant navigation event for hikers, runners and cyclists.  This is a different kind of race that involves thinking as well as endurance.  Search for 68 locations marked on a map of Cuyahoga Falls.  Only a few streets are labeled, so stay aware of where you are! Answer a simple question at each checkpoint (e.g., house number of a home with a windmill in the front yard).  Participants generally cover 6 to 24 miles!

Click HERE for the Free Family Downtown Version

Click HERE for a sample map & instructions for a rotating map holder for a bicycle!

Details for competitive version

  • Date: Sunday 5/25/2025
  • Times…
    • Check-in beginning at 9:45am
    • Instructions at 10:15
    • Maps handed out for planning at 10:30
    • Mass start at 11:00am
  • Location: Cuyahoga Falls, check in at the Downtown Pavilion (see map below)
  • Format: Score-O, in which the runners are challenged to score as many points as possible within an allowed period of time.  Control values vary, depending on the how far away they are and/or how hard they are to find.  Participants have two options:
    • By Bicycle, with a 3-hour time limit
    • By Foot, with a 4-hour time limit
    • In both cases, there will be a 10-point penalty for each minute late to finish

PLEASE REVIEW THE WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK BEFORE PREREGISTERING. BY PREREGISTERING, YOU ARE AGREEING TO THE TERMS OF THIS WAIVER AND ARE ABSOLVING NEOOC AND ORIENTEERING USA , ET AL OF LIABILITY RESULTING FROM YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE ASSOCIATED ORIENTEERING ACTIVITY. All under 16 must be accompanied by a parent.

For any questions, email us at: registrar@neooc.com

Preregistration and Cost

  • Preregistrations, closing 9:00pm, Wednesday, May 21st
    • $10 per Start* for Members of NEOOC or O-USA affiliated clubs or First responders
    • $15 per Start* for non-Members
  • Walk-up Starts may register at the course on May 25th, 2025 from 10:00am – 10:45am, subject to map availability
    • $20 per Start* (Member or non-Member)

* A Start is an individual or group navigating the course together. One map is included per paid start. Additional maps, up to two, are $3 each.

After submitting your information on the registration form, you will be directed to the PayPal website.  No SportIdent finger stick is needed for this event.

Preregistration (Link coming soon…)

See who is going … (Link coming soon…)

Rules & Hints

NO CYCLISTS UNDER SIXTEEN

All runners/hikers under 16 must be accompanied by a parent.

Teams of two or more MUST STAY TOGETHER.  You cannot split up.  Bikers must wear helmets.

Bring a pencil and a water bottle.  All should carry some form of identification.  A highlighter for felt pen is great for charting your wanderings on the map.  You should have some safe way of carrying a map on your bike.  Although a compass is not necessary if you have some knowledge of The Falls, it would be helpful to orient your map to north if you get confused.  We will show you how!

GPS logging of your route is encouraged for later review.  However, no printed or electronic sources of information are allowed.  This includes live GPS mapping on smart phones or tablets.
Checkpoints 1 – 19 are worth 10 points.  Checkpoints 20 – 29 are worth 20 points, etc.  Strategy is important to achieve a high score.

You will have difficulty holding your map while riding your bike.  In the past, clever competitors have fashioned flat holders that accommodate the map (11 X 17).  The best versions are able to rotate so your map stays oriented with the street you are traveling on.  Click the link above to see a sample of a bike map holder.  Make a slot underneath the map for your answer sheet (8 1/2 X 11).  A chunk of pool noodle taped to your frame is a great pencil holder.  Just jab the pencil into it!  Consider using a highlighter to plot you path as you go or to plan your route before you start.

Location – lots of parking in nearby decks off 2nd st

Cuyahoga Falls Downtown Pavilion, 2085 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls, OH  44221

Exercise MIND & BODY !!!

Sponsored by North Eastern Ohio Orienteering
and Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation