06/09/2026
🧭 NO ROADS. NO COURSE. NO GPS. JUST A MAP, A COMPASS AND 24 HOURS.
Imagine being dropped into the bush and told to find as many checkpoints as possible before the clock runs out.
There’s no marked track. No handy sign pointing you in the right direction. Just rugged terrain, a map, a compass and the small matter of staying on course.
Now imagine doing it for 24 hours.
Townsville’s Mitch Nissen and his mate Murray from Innisfail have done exactly that and they’ve come out on top, crowned Australian Rogaining Champions. 🏆
The pair put their endurance, navigation and strategy to the ultimate test, racing through the bush in a battle of brains, legs and no doubt, a fair bit of resilience.
Mitch told Saturday Breakfast host Jess Naunton what it takes to conquer one of Australia’s toughest navigation challenges.
“It’s a real maths puzzle for anyone who likes cracking codes…to get it right you got to have a bit of strategy,” Mr. Nissen
The sport of rogaining is similar to orienteering, with a map and compass, however it has a time limit where competitors are only given their map two hours before the race collecting points.
And after 24 hours in the wilderness, there was one thing he says mattered most:
“Probably the number one thing for me was getting one over the ‘Kiwis’ we don’t often get that chance in this sport, they’re very strong…coming away with that win feels like you’ve won a Bledisloe,” said Mr. Nissen.
Congratulations Mitch and Murray🏆👏
Listen back to the full interview on ABC Listen or via the link https://tinyurl.com/NQrogainingchamp
