History of rogaining

History of rogaining in the Czech Republic by Tomas Prokes

Tomas Prokes is president of the Ceska Asociace Rogainingu (Czech Republic Rogaining Association), a member of the national orienteering team, winner of the prestigious Swedish 3-day Fjällorienteering and a sports instructor with the Czech army.

Members of the Czech Republic orienteering team, including Jaroslav Kacmarik and myself, participated in the 1990 Most Awesome Rogaine in Alberta as part of the major World Cup programme in western North America that season. In 1996, a group of us including Vaclav Zakouril decided to establish an independent sport association and to organize rogaining and mountain orienteering events in the Czech Republic.

In September 1996, the Ceska Asociace Rogainingu was officially founded and the first two events were held in Branzez and Liberec. The following year, the 1st Czech Championship was organized as a 24 hour and 12 hour rogaine under the leadership of Honza Vokurka. This rogaine attracted 45 teams including the eventual winning Czech-Finnish team of Seidl and Kakko (the latter subsequently a world rogaining champion).

An important step in development came when the Ceska Asociace Rogainingu became part of the International Rogaining Federation in 1997. The next year, several Czech members took part in the 3rd World Rogaining Championships in Kamloops, Canada. The 5th World Rogaining Championships are to be held in the Czech Republic in 2002.

The constraints on rogaining in the Czech Republic differ from other established rogaining countries. Areas with suitable geographical conditions for 24 hour rogaining are limited. Dense population, a network of roads, few forest areas and tight restrictions on some nature reserves restrict use of much available land. However, the country is centrally situated in Europe so travel is relatively easy both to an annual Czech classic rogaine and to rogaines in neighbouring countries.

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Copyright 2002 International Rogaining Federation Inc. All rights reserved.

Editors note as published on the IRF web site 2 Sept 2002 

History of rogaining in Sweden

In 1998, two 6 hour rogaines were held in winter in Sweden, one around Stockholm and the other farther southwest near Gothenbourg. Fifty participants were in each of these rogaines that were held in snow with rogainers suitably attired for the time of year and weather conditions. Subsequently, the Taby Orienteering Club has been running an annual winter 6 hour rogaine.

Editors note as published on the IRF web site 6 Sept 2002

History of rogaines and mountain marathons in Europe by Sue Harvey

Sue Harvey is president of the International Orienteering Federation and has liaised with the International Rogaining Federation for several years. Rogaining - IOF contacts date back to the mid 1970s, and informal alliances between the two sports have been a feature of activities in USA, Canada, New Zealand, Europe, and Australia.

In Europe, orienteering marathons have been popular since the early 1970s, attracting a large number of competitors of all ages. Organizers of the better known events are compelled to restrict entries to a maximum of 1500 to 2000 teams. These events come under different names depending on the country (mountain marathons in the UK, raids d'orientation in France). They are organized mainly by orienteering clubs or individuals. In the past there has been little national or international co-ordination of these events but this is slowly changing. For the first time in 1999, the International Orienteering Federation published a calendar of events.

The detailed rules for orienteering marathons in Europe vary but the following characteristics are common to most events:

Participants compete in teams of two
Competitions are run over two days with one night camping at a common site
There are courses adapted for all ages and abilities (total distance ranging from 35 km to 80 km)
The competition begins with a mass start
Orienteering marathons attract a very wide spectrum of participants from hikers to a highly competitive elite class. The top competitors are pushing for recognized international competitions. There is an annual official IOF "World Orienteering Marathon Trophy", and in 2000 this included the 4th World Rogaining Championships in New Zealand.

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Copyright 2001 International Rogaining Federation Inc. All rights reserved.

Editors note as published Sept 5 2002 

History of rogaining in New Zealand by Ken Dowling

Ken Dowling organized the first 24 hour rogaine in New Zealand in 1994 and, with Michael Wood, has represented New Zealand interests on the International Rogaining Federation.

The first rogaines in New Zealand were organized by Michael Wood and Jim Maxwell of the Hutt Valley Orienteering Club in the Wellington region of the North Island. Initial events from 1991 were only 4 hours but these increased to a 12 hour rogaine in 1995; and in 1996, Hawkes Bay orienteering club organized a 12 hour rogaine.

Prior to the first rogaine in New Zealand, there was already a long tradition of extended cross country navigation events adopted from the Melbourne University Mountaineering Club 24 hour walk from 1967 onwards. These included the 24-hour walks (twalk) of the Canterbury and Southland districts and the UK style mountain marathon events since 1980. The first 6 hour rogaine in South Island was organized by Graham Frith in 1992.

In 1994, the Dunedin Orienteering Club organized New Zealand's first 24 hour rogaine near Wanaka in Otago. This rogaine incorporated 12 and 6 hour events and attracted 142 participants including some from Australia. The 2nd NZ Championships were held at Craigieburn in Canterbury.
There is considerable potential for rogaining in New Zealand especially given its outstanding scenery and suitable rogaining areas combined with a strong culture of outdoor activity such as hiking and the widespread interest in rogaining. This was recognized by the awarding of the 4th World Rogaining Championships in 2000 to the Peninsula and Plains Orienteering Club of Christchurch.

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Copyright 2001 International Rogaining Federation Inc. All rights reserved.

Editors note as originally published IRF web site Sept 6 200