News

A small contingent of 31 Australians competed in the World Championship in South Dakota held 17-18 August 2014 in the Black Hills, west of Rapid City. Four Australian teams won world titles. Julie Quinn and David Baldwin came sixth overall, while Geoff Lawford and Rod Gray won a third Men Super Veterans title.

The top placed teams overall were again from Estonia, Finland and Russia.
Australian medalists were:
  • Rod Gray, Geoff Lawford, 1st Men Super Veterans
  • Richard Robinson, Vivienne Prince (NZ), 1st Mixed Super Veterans
  • Tim Dent, Rob Taylor, Graham Anderson, 1st Men Ultra Veterans
  • Robyn Spriggs, Sharon Crawford (USA), 1st Women Ultra Veterans
  • Julie Quinn, David Baldwin, 3rd in Mixed Open and 2nd in Mixed Veterans
  • Tamsin Barnes, Thorlene Egerton, 2nd Women Veterans
  • Paul Williams, Andre Morkel, 2nd Mens Veterans
  • Derek Morris, Ted van Geldermalsen, 3rd Men Super Veterans
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As many rogainers will be aware current ARA Secretary and Immediate Past President of QRA, Paul Guard, lost his parents Jill and Roger in the MH17 tragedy. You can read his tribute to his parents here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cgVZ_RuGz-pRSaBSlyrbxvYFEIXlCeLrO7h_rBHf00Y/pub

In addition to being Paul’s father, Roger Guard was well known to many rogainers through his ultra-running exploits.

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It is with great sadness that we inform the Australian rogaining community of the passing on Saturday (12th April) afternoon of Geoff Mercer.

Geoff was a passionate rogainer through the 1990’s and early 2000’s.  He served the Australian Rogaining Association as Secretary, and was the organizer and course setter of the 2002 Australian Rogaining Championships.  He was also a life member of ACTRA and President for many years.  Geoff’s was a great source of wise counsel and thoughtful guidance for many people both competing and organizing events.

Over the past decade his growing family and other life priorities meant we didn’t see Geoff regularly at rogaines as we had previously but he had recently returned to the sport he loved. On Saturday he was participating in the ACT Rogaining Championships with his life partner and multiple ARC Champion, Alex Tyson, when he suffered a massive heart attack.

Alex and the four other teams that quickly gathered at the spot worked tirelessly for the five hours it took for the emergency services to reach this very remote location but the damage had been done in that first instant.

Geoff was 51 and in addition to Alex, leaves behind their two daughters aged 16 and 18. The thoughts of the entire Australian rogaining community are with them and the rest of Geoff’s family.

We will remember Geoff as a passionate rogainer who contributed greatly to our sport as an administrator with the ACT and Australian Rogaining Associations.

May he rest in peace.
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Note: This survey has now closed. Results will be made available soon. 

The International Rogaining Federation is conducting a survey of past and future participants in the World Rogaining Championships (WRCs) in order to assess the major factors which attract competitors to the event, to gauge opinion on the regional rotation policy and to get feedback on the preferred frequency of WRCs. The intention is to distribute the survey internationally to as many past (and future) participants as possible.

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Here is an article by Bud Laird on Rogaining in South Dakota, the location of this year's World Rogaining Champs: Rogaining in South Dakota

Also, a message from the OUSA Rogaine Committee and Bob Reddick...

Rogainers,
Lots of space still available for teams of all experience levels for the World Rogaining Champs on August 16-17 2014 in the Black Hills of South Dakota, USA. Junior teams (<20 Yrs.) are invited  -  maybe your family, club, state, or country could sponsor one or more? Come and listen to the Barking Beetles, see the curious cats, avoid the sleeping Bison, and enjoy the marvelous scenery – while also visiting with the top athletes in your sport! So get your team together and register now, and encourage your friends to come along. My 87-year-old partner has just registered!

For the blog, photos, directions, etc., go to: http://peakassurance.net/12WRC_2014.html

Cheers,
Bob Reddick, OUSA Rogaine Committee and IRF rep.

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