It’s a sport that sends teams into the bush with an unmarked map and a time limit.

Rogaining is gaining popularity in Tasmania, with a record number of participants attending a rogaine in Hobart this weekend.

It combines off-road navigation with a scavenger hunt style point system.

Hobart-based organizer and art writer Lucy Hawthorne said 355 attendees took off from Lenah Valley, in the kunanyi foothills / Mount Wellington, for a three and six hour rogaine on Sunday.

“This broke Rogaining Tasmania’s attendance record for any event,” said Dr. Hawthorne.

She spent months preparing for the class, wanting to show off some of her favorite Hobart backyard features.

He led the participants to hidden ruins, mountain refuges, street libraries and public art works.

“A lot of people who participate don’t do it to win,” said Dr. Hawthorne.

“Although they love the challenge of surpassing themselves, it is also about discovering new places.

A “sport of reflection”

Rogaine participants chase points from various checkpoints within a limited time frame with a blank map of an area.

Dr Hawthorne has set up 75 checkpoints and said winning isn’t just about speed.

“It’s not the distance you run, it’s what you do with those miles, it’s really a strategy,” she said.

“People who walk can do better than those who run.”

It has attracted all ages, from several four year olds to one of 79 years old.

Dr Hawthorne said rogaining is becoming popular with trail runners, but also walkers and orienteers.

Find special places to share

Participants receive the checkpoint map two hours before starting the rogaine to plan a route that is most efficient and within their physical limits.

While the winning team has covered 40 kilometers, the distance and altitude will vary from team to team.

The weekend rogaine included bush and suburban streets, so it was well known as metrogaine.

Each of the 75 checkpoints was worth different points, and Dr. Hawthorne spent months preparing as he walked his dog around the Hobart foothills.

“I found all kinds of things I wanted to share with people.”

Rewarding challenge for beginners

Newbie Emily Gannon said she loved the experience, but was grateful to her team for having local knowledge.

“The three of us are regular trail runners, but having the added challenge of navigating and looking for checkpoints was a lot of fun,” she said.

Lachlan Clark also made his debut for another team and said he “absolutely loved it”.

“There were a lot of families there and it was a really fun way to explore Hobart in a way that I didn’t have before,” he said.

“We would definitely do it again.”

The sport first appeared as “rogaine” in Australia in the 1970s, after evolving from a 24-hour bush walk in the 1940s.

It takes its coined name from three college students who invented it: Rod, Gail and Neil.

There are renowned clubs across Australia and abroad, with national and international championships being held.