Map sports
All you need is a sense of direction and a plan of action. And some water. It's rogaining
By David Hayes
Rogainers tak a run at it
It might sound like an anti-baldness rally, but rogaining is actually an increasingly popular urban sport that is putting itself on the map. Armed with compass and their wits, next week over 300 teams of street-smart navigators will hit downtown Sydney for the Volvo City Chase.
This annual rogaining race requires teams to use initiative and fitness to visit checkpoints around the city. Participants can run, walk or use public transport to navigate their way around the course.
“Rogaining is running where you have to think,” says Ross Barr, coordinator of the Sydney Summer Series, a weekly rogaining event which has been going since 1980. Barr, who lives in Normanhurst and runs a graphic design business, began in 1987 and was instantly hooked. “I’ve always liked maps and being outdoors,” he says. “I didn’t think I’d like the athletic side of it but I found out I have a competitive streak.
“The best rogainers are problem solvers, have good spatial awareness and are obviously physically fit,” says Ben Rattray, who won the 2007 City Chase event with teammate Andy Hill.
Last year Rattray tackled challenges including eating worms, sewing blindfolded and participating in a boot camp session. The pair used an internet team to help them solve clues and plan their route. DH
Volvo City Chase Tips
1 Get a good night’s sleep.
2 Eat a good breakfast
3 Arrive early
4 Bring your own water
5 Bring your own snacks
6 Get a detailed map
7 Get a public transport schedule
8 Carry spare change for lunch, snacks etc.
9 Carry paper and pen
10 Bring your mobile phone
11 Be open-minded; bring sense of humour
Try it out
Sydney Summer City Chase, Sat 29 Mar (02 94393434 www.citychase.com) $180. Orienteering Association of NSW (02 8116 9848 www.nsw.orienteering.asn.au)