FSOTL Event a Success
The F.S.O.T.L. Challenge Fundraiser for Haiti Outreach, an 8 mile R.O.G.A.I.N.E. style trail run (keep reading, it’s not what you think) was held on Sunday, June 5 in Morristown, NJ. R.O.G.A.I.N.E. stands for Rugged Outdoor Group Activity Involving Navigation and Endurance.
At the starting gun we had ten teams comprised of 28 individuals participate. Judging by the looks on everyone’s’ faces as they crossed the finish line and by the feedback received while scores were tabulated, everyone was very impressed and really enjoyed the event. Using a map to navigate proved to be most challenging for the younger participants who have grown up in the age of GPS – the use of which is not allowed in the FSOTL Challenge (or any other Rogaine). We did have one team lose a member of their squad as they were ‘bending’ the rules a bit by letting him run ahead to a checkpoint – teams are meant to stay within 100 meters of each other at all times. In the end divine providence stepped in to reunite the team safely, but only after their having been penalized by a 25 minute delay while searching for their lost progeny (it was a family affair with the youngster sprinting away from his parents).
The ‘hit’ of the day was the teeter-totter that a participant constructed as a ‘tool’ to be used to reach one of the checkpoints. Two team members had to use the tool to raise a third high enough to reach the checkpoint hole punch suspended in a tree. The other challenges were equally appreciated judging by the banter. There were a few scraped knees and bloodied elbows incurred, but nothing that detracted from the merriment the Challenge intended to create. I think we laid the foundation for an event that will bring a lot of repeat customers going forward. Click here to see photos of the event, and click here to see the results of the event.
A big THANK YOU to all the organizers, sponsors and participants who made this the first of what we hope will be a growing event every year!
