Setters Report “Fun in the Sun 6 and 3 hour Bush Rogaine” Sundowner Station 3 April 2011, By Tony Webster

Without too much sun it was a pretty good day for rogaining. Having already set the course for an 8 hour rogaine (given it was folded into a 6 hour event), it was pretty obvious none of the teams were going to clear the course, so route choice was going to be important. To make matters a little trickier, the hash house was on the extreme eastern edge of the course. Also, after our wet season rains being quite wet over last few months, creeks and the dam were quite big in places, guaranteed to slow teams down who chose to go near them. The rain had also stimulated a good growth of grass in places, and there was no real pattern as to where the going was fast or slow due to the grass cover. As it turned out, the far north western part of the course was excellent, fast country, but given the bigger event was reduced from 8 to 6 hours, it was unlikely that too many teams would experience this good rogaining country – maybe another event coming from the other side of the park can pick up this promising rogaining area (although I imagine it would be pretty hot and dusty at the end of the year).

The 3 hour was taken out by Bruce Monds and Kath McFarlane of team “out of time” who, quite rightly, made the decision to abandon Kenny’s 40th Birthday Party early the night before to get some much needed pre-rogaine rest. Only 20 points behind was the shortest team participating, team “Happy Days” – a really awesome effort by Blair and Charlotte Cunningham. Charlotte looks like making this family team one to watch in the coming years. Third placed was the well travelled “Kowi Girls”, who were only 40 points behind second place.

A special mention must go to Isabelle Turner from team “Turnstone Flyers”, who at four weeks of age must be the youngest participant ever in rogaining. Well done Irene Firestone, Perry Turner and family – we hope to see you again at the next event.

The 6 hour event was won by team “TT” of Rod Grey and Segii Choijinsuren. Rod and Segii scored an impressive 1010 points, taking almost all of the points in the course south of the park boundary. Second place went to “Team Mana” with 810 points after a 50 point late penalty. Kirk Morley and Kerry Rankine put in a massive effort and looked spent after 6 and a bit hours out in the bush. Third place went to team “Brush Turkeys”, who took a massive gamble by coming in 35 seconds shy of half an hour late which would have given them a DQ. Well timed Tani and Carl!

I would like to offer my massive appreciation to Bob Harrison, the landholder who is always happy to have us rogaining on his land, the airstrip is a good big hash house site and nice and close to Cairns. Mike Coleman provided incredible support for the event despite his back being in need of a good oil change. Chris White was fantastic help with gear and hash house duties – after organising two events in the last two weeks and another event next week Chris could have been forgiven for wanting to dodge work, but as always injected his energetic and enthusiastic self into helping out. Adam Fletcher missed the event but still organised the financials. Many thanks to the 8 hour teams who decided to go in the 6 hour event when the numbers in each of those events was quite low. Rod Grey, Kirk Morley, Blair Cunningham and Graham Moroney were a great help in getting gear and food to the event, many thanks. Also thanks to our sponsors for supplying us with some nice giveaways – Roy from It’s Extreme and Mark from Adventure Equipment – thanks guys. Finally the biggest thanks goes to all the people who participated in the event – it is the competitors who make these events a pleasure to be part of. Hope to see you at the next great North Queensland rogaine.

Results are up on the Results page.