Update: Thursday 12th August.

This event has been cancelled due to the ACT lockdown.

All entries will be refunded in the coming week.

Please comply with all lockdown provsions in the ACT region and we hope that the event may be able to be rescheduled at some time in the future.

 

 

To spread people out we will be having a staggered start and finish - see below.

This years metrogaine will cover Belconnen and the Inner north. With a lot of designated crossings of major roads, and some out of bounds, this event should challenge your route planning skills! Not to mention a lot of water over recent months, so you can expect all the creeks (and a lot of the ground!) to be flowing.

Entries are $28 full and $22 concession, under 14 free. Late fee of $10 per person applies after midnight Sunday 8 Aug. Entries close on Wed 11 August at midnight. Solo entrants allowed or teams of 2-5 people.

 

 

 

 

Final Instructions

Welcome to the 2021 Metrogaine. It has been a challenging 18 months and ACTRA is looking forward to come together to hold the event this year.

 

Important

COVID Safety Plan - General

• In the event a  COVID lockdown occurs in the ACT which prevents the event occurring, it will be cancelled and entry fees will be fully refunded.
• Please stay home if: you have recently returned from overseas; you have travelled from a known COVID-19 ‘hotspot’ without a designated period of quarantine/isolation; if you are awaiting the result of a COVID-19 test; if you are feeling unwell; or have flu-like symptoms.
• We have tried to make this event as contact-free as possible. Please drop your team-numbered flight plan directly into the box provided. Touch points at the toilets will be cleaned regularly.
• Starts will be rolling between 09:15 and 09:45 am - more details below. You have 6 hours from the time you start on the course.
• Please maintain a safe 1.5m distance from other teams at all times, including while doing your route planning, at the briefings, at the start and finish, and when approaching controls. 
• We have made the navlight punches hands-free by strapping them to the same feature as the control flag, mounted perpendicular to the feature and ready to use without needing to touch it with your hands. Just present your navlight wrist tag to the reader so the navlight flashes in the usual way.

COVID Safety Plan - Registration

• All team members must register on the “Check in Canberra” app. There will be QR code posters located outside the Scout Hall for this purpose. If you don't have access to the app, there will be a form that can be filled in by hand with your details at registration.
• Only one representative per team is permitted to come into the Hall to register the team, to show their first aid kit, provide the teams indemnity forms and to collect wristbands, tags and maps. 
• When coming into the Hall, we are asking the team representative to hand sanitise and wear a face mask. We will provide these at the entry to the Hall if you have not brought your own.
• To restrict numbers in the Hall, it will not be available for competitors for planning or shelter, even if it’s raining. The weather forecast looks very pleasant.

Indemnity Form

Please bring to the event a printed and completed indemnity form located here. Check the team list to ensure that all details for your team, including category are correct. If incorrect, please contact the Event Contact prior to the event. 

• Ensure that all team members sign a separate indemnity form. Parents or guardians must sign for people under 18. Also provide registration number(s) of your car(s) at the Hash House. Be sure to put your team number on the form. 
• Present your completed indemnity form at the registration desk.
• Medical advice: All competitors should consider advising their partner of any pre-existing medical conditions (such as diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, susceptibility to anaphylaxis) that may require first-aid action on the course. This should include a description of the symptoms, the required first-aid action, and the location in their bag of any medication (such as sugar, ventolin, epi-pen, anti-histamines).

 

Where

The Hash House is the Diamantina Scout Hall at 271 Maribyrnong Avenue, Kaleen.

Google Maps link to the Hash House

Parking

The Hash House is next to the shops, and while there is parking there, this will be restricted for use by the organisers, catering and the portaloos.

With a lot of competitors anticipated, parking is limited. There is a carpark on Maribyrnong Ave,  just to the E of the Hash House, and another to the SE associated with Maribyrnong Primary School on Alberga Street. While there is parking associated with the shops next to the Hash House, we would ask these be left for the shoppers (not to mention they are time limited). Otherwise, please park on the urban streets and car-pool where you can.

 

Registration, Map Availability, Start Times

The event will commence by way of a rolling start between 09:15 am and 09:45am. The event is for six hours from the time your team starts.

Registration will open at 7:30am. We recommend that you arrive at least an hour prior to the start of the event to allow enough time for final preparations and route planning. Time spent on planning is never wasted.

Registration and Admin will be in the Scout Hall. See above for COVID safety.  To register you will need to bring: 

• the first aid kit for the team, so that it can be checked (see below for what it must contain); and
• one completed indemnity form per team member.

On registration, each team will be provided with:

• two wristbands and two electronic Navlight tags (one for solo competitors);
• one map per team member; and 
• one small copy of the map to be used as a flight plan. Each team must mark their intended route on the flight plan and hand it in before starting. Please provide your direction of travel on the flight plan.

To spread people out we will be having a staggered start and finish to today’s metrogaine.

There will be NO final briefing. All the notes you need are in the course setters notes on the back of your map so read these carefully.

Your team may start any time between 9:15 and 9:45 am. You have SIX (6) hours on course.

Procedure:

1. When the whole team is ready, go to the start area.
2. Put your flight plan in the box.
3. Take note of the time or start a stopwatch.
4. Punch the START punches with your navlight.
5. Go!

If you start after 9:45 am, this will be your start time.

Make sure you are back in 6 hours. For example, if you start at 9:22 am, you must be back by 3:22 pm.

Enjoy your rogaine. If you have questions, there will be a volunteer at the start area.

Map Details and Vegetation

There will be one A3 map, 1:25,000 with 10 m contour interval, printed on waterproof teslin paper. The area is mostly urban, utilising pathways, parks and reserves. Given the generally urban environment, there is limited need for gaiters. The map shows urban areas in yellow, roads in red, larger building in grey, vegetated land in green and clear land in white. Walking paths and tracks are mostly black dashed lines, with fire trails brown. It is aligned to magnetic north and the north lines are red. The out-of-bounds areas are brown, and include a number of high speed arterial roads. The course has 58 controls, and 3200 points total.  The checkpoint descriptions follow the rules:       

• If the feature is shown on the map, then it is described as “The … (knoll, saddle ..)”;
• If a feature is not shown on the map, but is obvious on the ground, then it is described as “A … (knoll, saddle etc.)”;
• “The watercourse” will be marked with a blue line on the map;
• “The gully” will be a similar feature, but will not have a blue line on the map (Note: gullies and watercourses may be the same size – despite the blue lines).

 

Water

Given the urban environment there are no water drops on the map, however there are numerous local shopping centres and water bubblers in the event area. 

 

Please Bring to the Event

• completed indemnity form;
• a map case (optional). The map will be printed on Teslin waterproof paper with setters notes and control descriptions on the reverse side.
• coloured pens, pencils, scissors, highlighter pen, board for map preparation;
• plate, bowl, cup, cutlery (so you have something to eat the Hash House food with - we don't provide disposable items!);
• a seat each to use at the Hash House.

 

Carry on Course

Mandatory Equipment

• whistle (one per person);
• thermal / space blanket (one per person); and
• basic first aid kit (that includes 2 compression bandages and 1 wound dressing) (one per team)

Other items we recommended that you carry

• water (depending on your course plan)
• compass
• watch
• mobile phone for emergencies (see below for restrictions)
• sunscreen and sun-hat
• raincoat, warm jacket.  It may be cold. Warm clothing and a raincoat is highly recommended.
• thermals
• gloves
• beanie

 

Restrictions

• No pets; no alcohol; no firearms: no fires
• No altimeters, pedometers or GPS-capable devices such as watches and smartphones for use at the event.
• Smartphones may be carried for emergency use only in a sealed bag - they cannot be used for time-keeping or photography.
• Sealable bags will be available from admin to carry GPS for logging or mobile phone for safety (turned off).

 

Mobile Phone Coverage

• Phone coverage is excellent across the course for all networks.
• The Hash House number is 0455 372 262.

 

Summary of Event Rules and Scoring

• The only navigational aids permitted are the maps we provide together with your compasses.
• Given this is a metrogaine and close to support if required, solo competitors are permitted.
• For Teams of 2 to 5 competitors, they must remain within earshot of each other at all times. All members must simultaneously get to within 5m of each control point.
• All team members with a Navlight must punch it at each control to score points.
• If a Navlight punch has failed, record the three letter code visible inside the end of the punch.
• Competitors must not enter out-of-bounds areas; gates must be leftas found; stock must not be disturbed.
• The organisers may disqualify a team if it acts against these rules or against the spirit of the event.
• A team can retire a member at the Hash House. This will finish that team's event. A new team can form but it must start with zero score.
• Late Penalty: 10 points per minute (or part) late. Disqualification if more than 30 minutes late.
• If teams score equal points then the first team home will have a higher rank.

 

Presentation and Awards      

• Food and drinks will be available from around 2:30pm.  
• Certificates and highly sought after ACTRA mugs will be issued for winners of each category and certificates for the placegetters.
• Presentations will take place around 45 minutes after the end of the event. 

 

Event volunteers

If you have queries, contact the Event Contact listed below

Event Contact	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 0455372262
Coordinator	Nick Lhuede
Setters and Vetters	Nick Lhuede, Glenn Bridgart, Dave Clark
First Aid	Glenn Bridgart
General Help	Pat Miethke, Jackson Jolly, Jean Douglass, Ron Simpson
Mapping	Ron Simpson
Control Collectors	TBA