ROGAINE Orienteering Races

Setting up a race – Peoplework.

We ran 1 race per week. If implementing on a looser schedule, this can vary. Of course much of the handouts will be emailed documents, or a web site.

Race Day - 4 -- Monday: Race package

Ideally on Monday the race package goes out: It contains:

Preliminary version of the clue sheet.
Maps needed for the upcoming race. I provide two originals and 4 Xerox copies for the team.
Last week’s tally. (They will usually find some clerical error on it.)

This package gets handed to the team captain.

Race Day - 3 -- Tuesday: Review meeting.

Meet with the team captains and navigators.

Review of the previous week’s race.
Sketch out the upcoming race; give any caveats about the differences from last week. Give pointers on how they can improve.
Answer questions about the clues.
If available, updated clue list.

I try to write out the outline of what I’m talking about on the board before I start. Helps keep me on topic and brief.

Typical agenda:

Lessons from last week:
- Tracks as a clue for finding controls.
- Strategies to make your tracks less valuable.
- Speed on roads was about 1 km faster in morning than afternoon. Navigators note this for calculating end time.
- Gone controls are just gone. Blank controls have codeword “blank” when you report them.
- Divide the score by 10 to get time to spend looking. If you can’t find a standard in 3 minutes, it’s either gone, or you’re looking in the wrong place. Cut your losses and move on if you can’t find something.
Pointers for next week.
- More navigation and riddles. More important than ever to plan well.
- Several references to Genesee Stack. This is where it is on your map.
- Sources of information: You can ask any staff anything. I won’t help you with riddles, but other staff can. Sometimes you need internet stuff.
Rule reminders.
- Paperwork: This is what you turn in to the race marshall..
- Everyone was late with it last week.
Analysis:
- Pass out spreadsheet set up to calculate points per minute for race. Go over in class. Offer to help outside of class
Questions about anything?

This takes about an hour

When people are spread out this could be done on a forum.

Race Day - 2 -- Race Marshal’s info.

Copy of the race map, with the controls for the race marked on it.
Copy of the blank tally sheet, ready to use.

Race Day eve -- Last minute stuff.

Often there are a few teams working to the deadline, and they will have questions.

Race Day AM -- Brief leaders with any concerns.

Example: On 2005 race 4, we removed two controls from the race as they were on trees that overhung the creek, which was very, very wet. I also warned leaders and teams that travel on the creeks should be done with caution.