Q: What is the World Rogaine Championships? Tell us a little about your event. A: The World Rogaining Championships is a 24-hour long-distance cross-country navigation competition for teams of 2 or 3 traveling on foot by map and compass. 2-3 hours before the start time, teams are given the detailed topographic maps that cover roughly 100 square km of wilderness that contains up to 70 checkpoints, worth varying point values, marked on specific map features such as the top of a hill or the northwest corner of a pond. Teams start at 12 noon on Saturday and collect as many points as possible by 12 noon on Sunday by running, hiking, and bushwhacking to find checkpoints. Sleep is optional. At the central start/finish, there is a hash house that serves hot food throughout the event and where teams pitch their tents in case they need a break. Q: How long have you been doing this type of racing + what do you love about it? A: I've been doing rogaines and other types of orienteering competitions for about 12 years. I really like maps and navigation, being out in nature, and the sense of accomplishment from finding my way through the wilderness in the dark of night. Q: Have you done any other races that require having a partner? If so, what races + what do you like about having a team mate? A: All proper rogaines require a partner and I've done a lot of adventure races with teams of 2 or 4. I like being able to help and get help from friends, and have company during and someone to share memories with after the event. Q: Do you sleep during your event? A: That depends on how the event is going. If everything goes well, we'll go the full 24 hours without sleeping. That was easier when I was younger, though my teammate has young children and now claims to be much better at dealing with no sleep than before! Q: What kind of things do you think about when you’re out there racing for that long? Do you daydream? Crave hamburgers? Beer? A: At some point I usually crave cheeseburgers. And sleep, location unimportant. During the wee night/morning hours, one tends to hallucinate. That's when I start to see witches sitting on toadstools or tiny gnome villages in the shadows at the edges of my headlamp light. Q: What are the top 3 things that someone new to this sport should consider before committing? A: 1. Do you like the outdoors, maps, and exploring? There's a whole lot of off-trail travel. Are you ok with that? 2. The community is small and friendly -- events are small and low key, and beginners rub shoulders with the elites. 3. You don't need to go hard or stay out overnight. Plenty of people enjoy rogaine events casually.
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