Bubba Goat

November 18, 2001

Umstead State Park

Event Director, Gary Wiggins
Illustration by Jonathan Fitz-Simmons

 The Bubba Goat, the southern version of the northern Billy Goat orienteering event, was hosted by BOK this year. Thirty-eight goats from North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland and Pennsylvania participated in either the Pigmy Goat (6.2 K) or the Bubba Goat (12.4 K). Kevin Walsh won the Pigmy Goat with a time of 59:21 and Randy Hall won the Bubba Goat with a time of 87:07, both fine times. The first female finisher in the Pigmy Goat was Jessica Seem with a time of 79:30. Actually, Nan E. Goat had the fastest time in the Pigmy Goat and Bill E. Goat had the fastest time in the Bubba Goat. However, both were disqualified for entering the forest prior to the start time. They just couldn't resist those newly fallen acorns and hickory nuts. Bill E. Goat actually ate the finishing control. We were lucky that our finish line attendant noticed in time. Goat Cakes were awarded to those with the fastest times who attended the award ceremony. The catch was that they had to serve their cakes to the rest of the hungry goats. A special prize went to one contestant who was dressed up as a Goat. Unfortunately, I failed to get his name so that goat will remain anonymous. After my experience directing the Bubba Goat event, I'm hooked (not on directing, but participating). I plan to trek to wherever the Bubba Goat is held next year. You want a ride, give me a call.

 In addition to the Bubba and Pigmy courses, regular White, Yellow, Orange and Brown courses were also open. Times for these courses are recorded in whole minutes. Some excellent times were recorded on all courses. Two contestants ran the Pigmy course as part of the regular meet. Jonathon McDaniel recorded an excellent time of 51 minutes on the Pigmy Course.

 A lot of work went into putting this event on. Thanks to the many volunteers who helped make the event a great success. My thanks to Steven Fishback who set up water controls, checked control locations, helped set up the finish line, recorded split times and picked up controls; Al Geiger who set up water controls, placed signs, helped set up the finish line, recorded finish times and picked up controls; Linda Madigan who helped with registration for the regular event; Jim and Jane Hunt who flagged and set up the White and Yellow Courses; Harold Metter who distributed T-shirts and picked up controls; Cally Wiggins who helped with registration for the regular event; Carly Huberman who helped set up the kitchen; Mike Sigmund who vetted the Pigmy and Goat courses and was our chef; Betsy West, the self proclaimed Queen of Cake Decorating, who provided the Goat Cakes to the winners; Joseph Huberman who provided technical assistance with the course design software; and Ruth Bromer who provided the idea for the T-shirt.