Rogaining is a long-distance navigation sport in which teams travel on foot. The goal is to score points by finding checkpoints within a defined area within a certain time.

​

Rankings

 

There are 4 separate rankings.

 

For trail runners / runners:

​

* THE24 (24 hours)

* THE12 (12 hours)

* THE06 (6 hours)

 

For walkers / hikers:

​

* THE12 walk (12 hours)

 

In the walking ranking, running is not allowed, only walking.

 

​Team composition​

 

A team consists of 1 (solo) or 2 (duo) members.

​

Admission requirements

 

Individual participants must be 18 years or older.

All participants must be in sufficient physical condition to complete the challenge within the set time of 24, 12 or 6 hours.

 

Young people under the age of 18 can participate if they are part of a team with at least 1 responsible adult. Please note that the impact of such a long effort is greater for young people. We recommend involving young people in the 12 or 6 hour competition variants.

 

​The map and the terrain/course

​

During the competition, a classic Topo25 topographic map from the Belgian National Geographic Institute (NGI) will be used, with a scale of 1:25000.

 

Each participant will receive 1 copy of this map. If it is damaged and unusable, no new copy will be provided. The use of maps other than the competition map provided (which show more surrounding terrain or provide additional information) for planning and navigation is prohibited.

 

The visible terrain on the competition map is also the demarcation of the course or ‘playing field’ for the competition.

The following information is indicated on the map:

​

* All checkpoints, circled and indicated with a letter and corresponding score.

* Places where drinking water is available

* Possible dangerous passages or prohibited terrain (private land, etc.)

* Emergency numbers

 

Each team will receive exactly the same map and checkpoints.

The legend of the map (with symbols, use of color, etc.) will be hung up in the Basecamp.

 

Tracking system

 

Each team will receive 1 GPS tracking device (tracker) upon registration, for which it is responsible. The tracker will be attached to one of the team members. When registering, it will be explained where and how this device should be attached. The trackers will be turned on at the start of the competition and will not be turned off during the competition.

 

In the event of loss or damage to the tracker, the team must report to the competition management as soon as possible and return to the Basecamp. The organizers will provide a replacement tracker and the team will be allowed back into the competition. In the event of loss or intentional damage caused by the participants, a fee of €150 will be charged.

 

The tracker must be returned immediately after the competition.

Start of the race: briefing and map

​

Before the official start of the race, all teams will receive a short briefing with the most important points of interest. Then the topographic map will be handed out, on which all checkpoints are indicated. This way you can start with route planning and tactics.

 

* THE24 (24 hours) - Briefing 60 min beforehand - Map 45 min beforehand

* THE12 (12 hours) - Briefing 45 min beforehand - Map 30 min beforehand

* THE06 (6 hours) - Briefing 45 min beforehand - Map 30 min beforehand

* THE12 walk (12 hours) - Briefing 45 min beforehand - Map 30 min beforehand

 

Teams may only leave the Basecamp at the official starting signal from the organization.

Those who are not present at the start of the race in time can still join, but have less time to complete the challenge.

Search and find checkpoints

​

The competition officially lasts 24, 12 or 06 hours. During this duration of the competition, each team, according to their own tactics and route planning, will search for as many of the checkpoints indicated on the map as possible. These checkpoints may be searched for in any order.

 

Within this time span, the teams can:

​

* Continue their route planning

* Search for the necessary points in the terrain

* Take a short rest along the way

* Stay in the Basecamp (eat, change clothes, rest, etc.)

 

Time is not paused when a team is in the basecamp.

 

Each checkpoint is worth a certain number of ranking points, depending on the difficulty of that checkpoint.

The scores of each individual checkpoint are stated on the map and on the team sheet.

The striking description of each checkpoint (on the map) is stated on the back of this team sheet.

A unique code can be found at each checkpoint. This must be noted on the team sheet next to the correct letter.

 

If a physical checkpoint is misplaced or missing, teams will receive points for this checkpoint if they can convince the organization of their correct position, by means of photos and a manual check of their position in the tracking system.

 

Participants may not sit or rest within a hundred meters of a checkpoint or water point.

Duo team members must always be together and may not split up during their movements and search for checkpoints. They must both have reached each checkpoint and always arrive at Basecamp together.

End of the race and time registration

​

Everyone can successfully complete the Rogaining Challenge. Each team collects ranking points within its own physical limits, there are no losers. Teams can arrive within or outside the official competition time.

 

When a team decides to end the competition, and thus arrives at Basecamp for the last time, it hands over its completed team sheet to the competition management. At that time, the time of arrival (and any time outside the official competition time) is determined. The competition clock is the leading time instrument here. After this, the team can no longer participate in the competition.

 

If a team withdraws from the competition for any reason, it must still report to Basecamp (as far as possible) for time registration and return of the tracker. If one of the team members in a duo team drops out, the team score, time registration and ranking for that team will be recorded at that time. Afterwards, the other team member may continue the competition alone from Basecamp, without further participating in the ranking.

 

If a participant is deemed unfit to continue in any phase of the competition for medical reasons (e.g. severe fatigue, injury, previous medical condition, etc.), the organization reserves the right to withdraw this participant from it.

 

Scoring

 

The total score a team achieves is the sum of all scores of all checkpoints found.

In order to cash in a checkpoint and its associated score, the checkpoint code must be noted on the team sheet.

 

Depending on the final time of arrival, a team can be awarded penalty points. These penalty points are then deducted from the total score achieved.

 

* Within the official race duration (6, 12 or 24 hours) -> No penalty points

* 1 to 5 minutes late -> Lose 1 point per minute

* 5 to 10 minutes late -> Lose 2 points per minute

* 10 to 15 minutes late -> Lose 5 points per minute

* 15 to 30 minutes late -> Lose 10 points per minute

* More than 30 minutes late -> Lose all points

 

A team can therefore still search and register checkpoints outside the given race duration, but with the disadvantage of being awarded penalty points for late arrival.​

 

​Final ranking and winners

​

Within each classification, the team that has collected the most classification points within the given time wins (sum of checkpoints obtained - possible penalty points)

 

In the event of a tie, the team that obtained those points in the shortest time wins. This time is determined at the moment that the team enters the Basecamp for the last time.

Unsuccessful participation (DNF)

​

Only in a few exceptional cases, you may not be included in the final ranking:

​​

* If you do not enter any checkpoint

* If you arrive 30 minutes or more outside the official race time

* If you earn more penalty points than ranking points

* If you are disqualified (see below)

The following events will result in a disqualification (DSQ)

​

We want to organize social and fair events. We therefore insist that all participants behave honestly and sportively.

Participants who are caught cheating will be disqualified from the competition.

​​

Disqualification will follow after one of the following events:

* Using a mobile phone, watch or GPS navigation to determine a route to or between checkpoints (see below)

* Using maps other than the official competition map

* Using vehicles to move around (bicycle, car, moped, wheelbarrow, etc.)

* Deliberately causing damage to private property and the environment.

* Leaving waste and materials in nature.

* Passing on and/or receiving solutions to/from another team

* Failure to comply with safety measures (see below)

* Using drugs or doping

The Basecamp

​

Teams can choose to go to the Basecamp several times during the competition, or only once at the end.

 

The Basecamp is available throughout the competition. Hot meals and supplies are available, and participants can rest comfortably here to regain strength. Checkpoints (codes) that have already been found can be brought in and are already added to the team score in the ranking.

 

However, this is not mandatory. Only towards the end of the competition, teams must be present at the Basecamp at least once, within the chosen competition duration (without penalty points) or up to 30 minutes outside the time (with penalty points), in order to be able to redeem (some of) their checkpoints and ranking points.

Mobile phone use

​

The use of mobile phones is only permitted:

​

* To take photos en route

* To notify the emergency services in the event of a serious accident

* To notify the organisation in the event of problems (e.g. missing, untraceable checkpoints or sabotage)

 

The organisation's telephone numbers are always listed on the team sheet

Participants mobile phones devices must remain switched on during the competition. The organisation must be able to reach participants in the event of problems or an urgent report

 

Navigation tools

 

During the competition, it is permitted to use a compass to orientate oneself. A measuring stick can be used to measure distances.

 

The use of handheld GPS devices, GPS navigation on a sports watch or mobile phone (via apps), altimeters or pedometers to determine a route to or between checkpoints is prohibited. GPS watches (e.g. Garmin, Suuntoo, …) may be worn, but must be set to ‘Adventure mode’.

Safety precautions and gear

​

Each participant is responsible for their own safety on the course. In addition, each participant is also required to have their own accident insurance.

 

All participants must have a standard set of safety equipment with them at all times. This will be checked upon registration. Checks can also be made at random during the competition.