A 2 or 4 hour urban navigation challenge (rogaine) exploring the extensive track network joining the parks and other greenspaces of Waitakere city.

Teams of 2 to 5 people will navigate their way (staying together as a team) using the provided map to as many checkpoints as they can by either walking, running, or traveling by bus. Checkpoints may be visited in any order, with checkpoints being allocated differing points.

WHAT IS A ROGAINE?

IN SUMMARY - Rogaine is the sport of long distance cross country navigation in which teams of 2-5 members visit as many checkpoints as possible within a given time limit, usually 24hours! (but just 2 or 4 hours for this event)

Teams travel entirely on foot (or by bus for our event), navigating by map and compass. Checkpoints may be visited in any order, with checkpoints being allocated differing points. The highest score wins. Teams may return to the event centre as many times as they like and do not have to stay out for the entire time allowed. Penalty points are deducted from a teams overall score for a late return.

NOW..PRACTICALLY - HERE'S HOW IT WORKS
You turn up to register 1 hour before the start and pick up your race pack (9am) and start planning your route. Included in your race pack is a map to plan where you are going to go. On the map there are lots of checkpoints, each worth a different number of points.

The object is to get as many checkpoints in the time allowed (4 hours). So in the planning time (1 hour) you have to decide if you will go far away from the event centre to get a few of high pointers or stay closer and get lots of lower points. The catch is that you have to plan to be back on time, because for every minute that you're late after the 4 hours you lose 10 points (a big incentive to get back on time) and if you are more than half an hour late you get "timed out". You may find that you change from your planned route as you go because the tracks are faster than you thought - that's fine, you don't have to stick to your original plan. And you can come back to the event centre as often as you like.

So at 10am for the 4 hour eevnt or 12 noon for the 2 hour event, everyone heads off in lots of different directions - its a crazy start!. The teams of 2-5 people must stay together at all times.

Then at 2pm everyone should be finishing all at the same time. When you finish you add up all your points (each checkpoint has a wee flag with some letters on it that you have to record).

The navigation is very easy as all of the course is on a sort of road map but with more details (like small tracks, parks, playgounds etc). Checkpoints are on features like seats, tracks, buildings or other obvious features. Below is an example of what the map will look like - just like a street map aye!

Usually these are really social events with teams comparing where they went afterwards and debating the best route. The teams thing is great for the competitors too because you have to get along and take turns at navigating.

EVERY ENTRANT RECEIVES:

  • 1 specially prepared colour map with checkpoint locations marked
  • 1 b/w map with checkpoints marked - for planning, 1 plastic map bag,
  • 2 Leppin squeezies c/o Leppin Sport,
  • A all day bus pass from Ritchies to use to get around if you wish
  • and a challenging, interesting, and satisfying 4 hours activity!!

EVENT TIMETABLE

Registration 4 hour event (maps available for planning) 9am
Start 4 hour event 10am
Registration 2 hour event (maps available for planning) 11am
   
Start 2 hour event 12 noon
Finish 2pm
Prizegivings 2.30pm-ish

EVENT CENTRE

The event centre will be at Henderson Park, off Wilsher Cres which is off Smythe Road. A good spot for parking is at Waitakere Central (the Waitakere City Council offices). Teams wanting to book a tent site for the day should contact Shaun on email at shaun@lacticturkey.co.nz

RULES

  • Team members must stay together at all times. This means within unaided verbal contact. A team shall demonstrate compliance with this requirement with any event official or other team on request

  • All team members must visit and visibly sight the control they are scoring.

  • Compulsory gear per team - First aid kit (including at least; 5 sticky plasters, roll of bandage, at least 2 gauze dressing, antiseptic cream, and pain killers), mobile phone with fresh batteries

  • Compulsory gear per person - food, drink and a waterproof jacket.

  • Not all out of bounds areas are marked on the map, respect private property

  • Competitors should not discard litter - please pack it out

  • No GPS, but altimeters are allowed

  • Each competitor must carry all compulsory gear at all time whilst on the course. In an emergency the team should call 111 on the cellphone and then notifythe race directors (phone number is on the map)

  • Above all else - have fun!