The Sport of Rogaining
Rogaining is the sport of long-distance, cross-country navigation. Teamwork, endurance, strategy and map reading are features of the sport.
Teams of two to five members travel entirely on foot (walking and running); and by map-and-compass they navigate from one points-rated checkpoint (control) to the next. The teams choose their own routes, locating controls in any order within a defined time period. The event may be 2 to 24 hours in duration. The common objective is not to visit as many controls as possible, but to collect the highest point-score possible. Teams travel at their own pace; this makes rogaining accessible to young, old, competitive and social participants.
Rogaining Championships are 24-hour events where participants choose when to rest, eat or sleep; many run throughout the night. The event centre (hash house) usually provides hot meals throughout the night and teams may return at any time to eat, rest or enjoy the social comraderie at this central base.
The concept of rogaining as a sport in its own right originated in Australia and traces its origin to a public twenty-four hour event in 1972; and the first rogaine in 1976. The first rogaine outside Australia was held in Canada, in 1986. Rogaining has spread world wide and several hundred events are held annually.
The International Rogaining Federation was formed in 1989 and is recognised as the international body for the sport. The IRF is responsibile for Standards and Rules, the World Rogaining Championships and fostering the sport internationally.«