24-hour State Champs Event Report – written by Evelyn Colwell
My first rogaine was a 12-hour rogaine in Kuitpo Forest 20 years ago, where I joined a random team after my husband Craig showed no interest. I enjoyed it so much that I convinced him to come to the next event—the State Champs at Tuilkilkey—where we placed 21st and learned how rogaining differs from orienteering. We’ve since hoped to revisit the Tuilkilkey site to compare our current skills to our younger selves. The recent state champs was our chance. Sadly, Craig was in hospital during this year’s event, but I was lucky to team up with Anne Oke.
Given the mostly flat terrain and good visibility, Anne and I planned a 70 km (straight-line) clockwise route—tackling the hillier terrain during the day and saving the flatter northeast for night, using the full moon and careful pace counting and bearing work for navigation (not my strong point). Our strategy also avoided the mistakes Craig and I made years ago: walking into the sunset and getting confused by unmapped tracks. This time, our pace counting and Anne’s time keeping meant we were able to disregard most farm tracks not mapped.
My biggest concern was the heat—27°C is not my idea of fun. I packed plenty of fluids (water, fruit boxes, 2 x iced coffees for the night), food, head torches, and a jacket (thankfully, as it was essential during the night storms). The hot day and dry northerly wind made water stops especially welcome.
We cleared the western section smoothly, even adding control 76. Near dark, we paused by 33 for food and put on our head torches. A navigational misstep (I pulled left again!) had us on the wrong spur, but we climbed up the next (steep and cliffy) spur to a well-placed control. Then on to 101, which the setter had placed for its views—though in the dark, all we saw was the climb!
Progress was good until lightning in the distance signalled the coming storm. The initial front passed harmlessly, but behind it was rain, wind, thunder, and reduced visibility. With no shelter on the open plains, we pushed on. Despite the chaos, our pace counting held, and Anne’s sharp navigation got us to the next control. The storm eventually moved off.
Another team took an easier route to control 79, but we stuck to our plan to control 90, even fitting in two extra controls. As we approached W3, the second front arrived. We struggled to find the road, misled by terrain and tired minds, until fellow walkers confirmed our location—perfect timing. At the water stop in pouring rain, we opted to swap 61 for 60 (good call, Anne), and I enjoyed following water flow to the creek—something rare in SA.
By 61, the storm had cleared, and dawn revealed the control on a side gully, not the main one as we expected. A satisfying find (and nicely placed control).
Back on the flats, we began our morning loop around the HH, including the steep range just to the east of the HH. A funny moment: Anne slipped and ended up sitting in a fast-flowing creek—rare in SA rogaines! Our feet were becoming sore, so I couldn’t convince Anne to go for a distant 70-pointer. My brain was fading, but we still managed controls 65, 34, and 20, returning to the HH with 10 minutes to spare.
We were thrilled to finish 4th. The course featured many subtle navigational challenges, so kudos to Paul Hoopman and his daughter Alison for 2nd place as I know that Paul rarely uses his compass and doesn’t pace count, only using features to navigate by.
This event reminded me of my first rogaine 20 years ago, where Craig and I limped back in pain, only to be overtaken by Steve Cooper and Ruhi Afnan running in triumphantly after cleaning up the course. Well done to Tiaan and Jonty for their first place at this event and cleaning up the course with two hours to spare.
Back at camp, my concerns about my tent were justified—it, and everything in it, was soaked. I dried gear on the car in the sun and wind and decided to pack up and head to the Terowie Motel for a well-earned 10.5 hours of sleep.
Huge thanks to everyone involved in setting, organising, and supporting this fantastic event—it was outstanding from a competitor’s perspective.
