The sport

Rogaining is the sport of long distance cross-country navigation. The championship rogaine is of twenty four hours duration, but there are several shorter variants. Teamwork, endurance, competition, and an appreciation of the natural environment are features of the sport. Rogaining involves both route planning and navigation between checkpoints using a variety of map types.

Rogaines are generally day and night events in which teams of two to five members travel entirely on foot, navigating by map and compass. Teams normally select their own order of visiting checkpoints, in terrain that varies from open countryside to hilly forest.

At many rogaines a central base camp provides hot meals and teams may return at any time to eat, rest or enjoy the fellowship. Teams travel at their own pace, and anyone from children to grandparents can experience the personal satisfaction that comes from cross-country navigation at individual levels of competition and comfort.

Rogaining aims to support and encourage people to develop respect for and enjoyment of rural and forest environments; and to encourage the development of navigational skills, self reliance, general fitness, and the ability to work in a team.

Our history

The concept of rogaining as a sport in its own right originated in Australia and traces its origin to the first public twenty-four hour event in 1972 and the first rogaine in 1976, both run by Surrey Thomas Rovers. However, twenty-four hour walks have been organised since 1947 by Melbourne University Mountaineering Club, and twenty-four hour score events by Adelaide University Mountaineering Club since 1963. The Australian Rogaining Association was formed in February 1979, and now acts as co-ordinating body for state and territory associations within Australia.

The International Rogaining Federation was formed in 1989 to promote rogaining and provide direction for the sport internationally. Rogaining is now international with regular rogaines in Australia, Canada, United States and New Zealand.

The name Rogaining

The word "rogaine" was coined from the names of the organisers of a twenty-four hour hike in 1976, and was retained for subsequent events. When the Victorian Rogaining Association was formed, its members adopted "rogaining" as the name of their sport of twenty-four hour cross country navigation. The rogaining logo of the mountain in sun and darkness was designed in 1978 and epitomises the essential characteristics that set rogaining apart from most other forms of human endeavour.

A Rogaine

Any rogaine is a major undertaking, especially a 24 hour championship. This applies to both competitors and to organisers. A major rogaine can involve 400 or more participants covering up to 100 km each and visiting 50 checkpoints during night and day. Transport, food for the whole twenty four hours, camping, publicity, map making and production, seeking permission from landowners, cleaning up, finalising results and words of thanks at the end are all required.

The rewards and benefits from rogaining are many: fitness, competition, social interaction, recreation, education, appreciation of the natural environment, increasing self-awareness, team building, self-reliance and navigational expertise. For some, not just the champions, the reward lies in determining how far the body can be pushed physically; but just as important is finding out about the mental strength of the team at 2am when it is raining, cold and you are "nearly lost". For every participant there is a multiplier benefit to the community through better trained navigators who are self reliant in the countryside, better team players and valuable members of the community.

The sport has now run several hundred rogaines worldwide representing millions of kilometres travelled, many competitor-years of physical and team activity, and an impact that has spread to large communities in several countries. For many non-elite rogainers the level of physical, mental and teamwork demands encountered on rogaines will be unique in their life: the fact that these people return to continue rogaining is testimony that participants value these experiences.

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THE INTERNATIONAL ROGAINING FEDERATION

Role of the International Rogaining Federation

International co-ordination and representation of rogaining is through the International Rogaining Federation. The IRF has the ultimate responsibility for the smooth and successful development of rogaining internationally with retention of the fundamental elements of the sport and the successful principles that have applied to date.

The IRF is currently based in Australia, and has representation from countries where rogaining is active. It is planned to review both this Strategic Plan and the IRF leadership in 1997.

First five years of the IRF: 1989-1993

The International Rogaining Federation was formed in 1989 to:

• consolidate rogaining where it already had a presence,
• foster the spread of rogaining to other countries,
• improve the quality of all rogaines,
• promote international participation in rogaines,
• establish and maintain an international rogaining code.

The Initial Plan was designed to take the IRF through to 1993, and owes much of its success and relevance to the excellent communication between those who contributed to its formation. This communication was greatly facilitated by having an executive primarily based in one city, but also involved active parties 12,000 km apart.

The initial IRF group comprised Neil Phillips (president), Richard Matthews (vice-president), David Stephens (secretary), Bob Reddick (USA), Pat Albright (USA), Andrew Newson (Canada), Ron Andrews (Canada) and Rod Phillips (Australia). The IRF strategic plan was finalised in June 1989, and the Federation formed in Calgary on 16th June 1989.

Achievements of the IRF to date

Rogaining is now active in Canada, United States, Australia and New Zealand, with regular events and a network of enthusiasts. The focus on North America has been in recognition of the availability of suitable terrain on this continent, the early efforts of Andy Newson, Jim Force and Kitty Jones at Calgary, and the great success of the first international rogaine in 1990 at which competitors from 18 countries took part. Neil Phillips made four visits to North America as IRF President to meet local rogainers, run workshops, talk about the sport, and support organising groups. With a communication network in place, exchanges are becoming common.

• Before 1989, four rogaines had been held outside Australia, all in western Canada. By the end of 1994, fifteen different centres in New Zealand, United States and Canada have run a total of forty rogaines.
• For those travelling overseas it is now possible to obtain information on forthcoming events, billets and contacts in a matter of hours.
• The sport has a book "Cross country navigation" and an "Organisers Manual" available to assist rogainers.
• An extensive list of overseas contacts has been widely and regularly distributed, as have annual calendars of rogaines.
• The first international rogaine, the Most Awesome Rogaine, was run by Alberta rogainers near Calgary in 1990 attracting 300 starters representing 18 nations.
• The 1st World Rogaining Championships was run by the Victorian Rogaining Association in 1992, attracted 400 starters, and paved the way for many more international meets.
• The 2nd World Rogaining Championship has been awarded to Western Australia for 1996.
• The first five years saw a consolidation of the rules and guidelines of rogaining, and an adoption of common principles worldwide.

ROGAINING TOWARDS 2000

In adopting a new Plan to take us towards 2000, we want to build upon the successes of the first five years of the International Rogaining Federation, retain the successful management formulas that have served the sport well since 1972, and strive for a high level of communication between all involved.

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VISION

* * * BEST RUN SPORTS * * *

By 2000 we will be a sport that is highly effective in all it does, has a track record of staging major rogaines with international involvement, and is widely regarded as "one of the best run" sports.

* * * ROGAINE 2000 * * *

In 2000, we will stage major rogaines to mark the millennium.

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1. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

a) Preserve the key elements of rogaining.

• interesting countryside,
• accurate, fair and challenging courses,
• friendly Hash Houses, and
• professional presentation of events.

b) Insist on the best professional practices in all we do.
The tasks asked of sporting administrators are ever widening, but at the same time, training is now offered for those new to positions of responsibilities.

c) Encourage all associations to adopt long term plans.
Address the issues of land access, retention of members, and enlisting helpers to run events and lead associations.

d) Maintain a dynamic strategic plan and circulate it to associations.
No successful sport is static. Rogaining needs to set challenging goals and continue to find innovative ways to achieve these.

e) Maintain a controlled turnover of association executives to ensure new ideas.
Aim to retain experienced leaders within each association while achieving turnover of executives.

f) "Listen" to our clientele.
The Hash House atmosphere at rogaines provides an ideal setting for presidents and committees to effectively survey members, and questionnaires also have a role. Much of the success of rogaining has come from listening closely to participants, adapting rogaines to accommodate their opinions, and regularly monitoring our progress as a sport. Members are remarkably responsive to the quality of our activities.

g) Develop an appropriate structure for the IRF.
There is a need to address the issues of an IRF constitution, elections of office bearers and an executive, a headquarters, finances and incorporation.

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2. CULTURE OF ROGAINING

a) Address the needs of both elite and recreational rogainers.

b) Maintain an International Code and set of Rules.
The rules of rogaining have generally followed those published in "Cross Country Navigation" and in the "Organisers Manual", both of which represent the culmination of much effort and consensus within the Australian Rogaining Association and its member associations. These same rules have formed the basis for rogaining in North America and New Zealand. Recognising the need to further standardise practices, the ARA has put together Technical Standards and Rules which are being trialed by many associations in 1994-96, and act as the interim International Code and Rules. These are not prescriptive and minor adaptations may be required for some events: however, the aim is for consistency of practice at championship rogaines in the long term. It is intended to record feedback relating to the current rules, make revisions where necessary, and circulate the revised International Code and Rules after 1997, for all major rogaines.

c) Encourage consistent rules and event styles.
Ensure that rogaines conform with the International Code and Rules, except where a deliberate decision to introduce variety is explicit. The application of the rules needs to be consistent with the culture of the sport, and the nature of the particular event. Close adherence is recommended for 24 hour rogaines, whereas some latitude is accepted in shorter rogaines.

d) Encourage associations to keep records of their previous rogaines.

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3. COMMUNICATION and COORDINATION

a) Provide a focus for international rogaining communication.
IRF communication is through an IRF newsletter to the executive, national and state association presidents, and IRF correspondents. Electronic mail is used extensively for arranging visits. The IRF will maintain and circulate a list of association contact addresses, and event calendars.

b) Encourage associations to develop networks that include landholders, sporting bodies, officials and sponsors.

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4. ASSISTANCE TO NEW ROGAINING GROUPS

a) Provide support for those running their first rogaine.
The growth of rogaining has always relied on a small group of people with the enthusiasm and innovation to run a rogaine in a community where no rogaine has been organised before. This group learns about rogaining by participating elsewhere, reading, or word of mouth. Support might include advice, publications, financial support, publicity and/or encouraging entrants.

b) Ensure consistent manuals are available to the organisers of rogaines.
These include "Organisers' Manual", the International Code and Rules, and "Cross Country Navigation".

c) Assist newer rogaining nations to develop the most effective national organisation for the sport.
At the moment this particularly applies to Canada, United States and New Zealand. The ideal situation appears to be one of stand-alone national rogaining associations with several member associations. Such a structure becomes relevant once some regularity of rogaines has been established.

d) Assist associations to become recognised sporting bodies in their own countries.

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5. INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS

a) The IRF complements national activities and endeavours, rather than running its own rogaines.

b) Encourage participation by visitors in local rogaines, and by regular rogainers when abroad.

c) Encourage associations to prepare a semi-permanent profile to describe rogaining in their region.
This is to assist visitors, and will include terrain, weather extremes, transport and accommodation facilities, billeting, suggested clothing, potential dangers, and special requirements.

d) Support regular World Rogaining Championships.

e) Promote a major rogaine in 2000 to mark the millennium.

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6. WORLD ROGAINING CHAMPIONSHIPS

As the sport's premier event, the World Rogaining Championship has significant drawing power for international entrants, sponsorship, and elite competition. World Championships are for the benefit of everyone in the sport, for elite and non-elite competitors, for organisers, for administrators, and for the public: they also provide a meeting focus for rogainers.

The IRF has a policy of awarding the World Championships to associations and groups rather than running the Championships themselves. However, the World Rogaining Championships remains the championships of the International Rogaining Federation. The Championships should not be held on a more regular basis than annually. Award of the WRC should be restricted to groups with a track record of organising major rogaines, who actively want to stage the WRC and can nominate a suitably experienced co-ordinator: if these criteria cannot be met for any particular year, the WRC should not be awarded.

The IRF does not expect extra facilities or activities beyond those normal to championship rogaines run by the particular host association. However, this does not exclude any WRC organisers from going "a little further". The policy is to bring the staging of the WRC within the grasp of all groups who can demonstrate a history of running a series of successful rogaines and who want to stage the WRC.

The focus of a World Rogaining Championship is on:

1. enjoyable terrain (typical of local events),
2. an accurately set course, that is fair and challenging,
3. friendly atmosphere of the Hash House,
4. professional organisation,
5. a wide cross section of participants,
6. elite and other levels of competition.

The first four criteria should be met in any rogaining championship, and be established features of rogaines run previously by a group before the WRC are awarded. Significant departure from normal rogaines is not advocated for a World Rogaining Championship. The last two criteria (e and f) can be achieved by careful planning of the event date and location taking into account overseas participants and possible back-to-back activities at the time of the World Rogaining Championships. These activities need not be part of the WRC programme, and may be better organised by separate parties, even outside rogaining. The extra publicity to attract overseas and/or elite participants to a WRC should utilise IRF expertise and should target particular interest groups and countries. Organisers are expected to provide a profile to describe rogaining in their area, and may include a model rogaine prior to the championship. The WRC will be run according to the IRF Code and Rules, and departure from these will require specific IRF sanction.

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Further details:
Neil Phillips, International Rogaining Federation - President
1 Coppin St, East Malvern 3145, Victoria, Australia. 61-3-95722425 phone & fax.

International Rogaining Federation: President: Neil Phillips. Vice-presidents: Murray Foubister (Canada), Tracy Martin (Australia), Richard Matthews richard.matthews@perth.maptek.com.au (2nd WRC), Bob Reddick (USA), David Stephens, (Australia) Peter Taylor (Australia). Representatives: Eric Andrews (Qld), Nigel Aylott (Vic) , Andrew Blakers (ACT), Vince Harding (WA), Gary Jackson (SA), Paul Pacque (Tas), Peter Watterson (NSW), Rod Costigan (manual), Rod Phillips ('Cross Country Navigation') , David Rowlands (IRB).

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Copyright 2004 International Rogaining Federation Inc. ..All rights reserved.