Inward Bound

Inward Bound (IB) is an endurance and orienteering running competition held between the residential halls and colleges of the Australian National University. It is a unique event combining aspects of both orienteering and rogaining while challenging personal endurance. IB is the most prestigious sporting event in the interhall sporting calendar. Held annually, the competition involves over 200 runners from eight of the ANU’s residences. The event is organised by the ANU Interhall Sports Organisation.

The competition is split into eight divisions which are dropped off, blindfolded, at an unknown location in the bush. The teams of four people then locate their position and race to the endpoint, picking the quickest route through the countryside. Distances from the endpoint vary from up to 100 km for the top divisions to 30 km for the lower divisions.

The event aims to bring these residences closer together, building on the university community at the ANU and creating a sense of camaraderie between residences and those who take part.

Event Outline and Rules

Each participating residence enters eight teams (one into each divisions) into the event. Division 1 is to be dropped off up to 70 km (as the crow flies) from the end point. The distances reduce with each division down to division 7 which is dropped of as little as 10–15 km (as the crow flies) from the endpoint. In actual distance run, Division 1 can cover over 100 km and division 7 over 30. The drop-off zones and endpoint are in remote and often secluded environments including fire trails, national parks and state forests. The eighth division, called division 7 (independent) is dropped off at the same location as division seven, but does not receive points towards the final score.

Before departing for the drop off point, the teams are scrutineered to ensure that they have a set of compulsory equipment. The compulsory equipment includes:

• water
• food
• maps and compasses
• survival equipment

Each team is also given an envelope with the end point location printed on the outside. The envelope contains details of the drop off point and contact phone numbers. Teams must present the envelope unopened at the end of the race. Failure to do so results in disqualification.

The teams are then blindfolded before boarding buses and departing for the drop off point. The route to drop-off point is deliberately obfuscated, with buses spending upwards of one hour driving around Canberra in order to cause disorientation. This prevents teams from knowing the drop off location right from the start.

The buses leave (beginning with division 1 in the early evening) at 1 hour intervals starting of the eve of the event. Typically division 7 and division 7 (independent) will leave early in the morning of the day of the event.

When the runners are dropped off they remove their blindfolds and each team proceeds to identify their location. Typically two runners from each team will run in opposite directions to find some indication of their location. When they return the team confirms its location and plot a course to the end point. The teams then race to the endpoint.

The rules are structured to ensure that teams rely not only on their fitness, but also on their navigational ability to reach the endpoint. Thus maps and compasses are the only acceptable navigational aids. Tools such as GPS and altimeters are forbidden. Outside assistance in the form of transportation by vehicle or asking other people for the team's location are forbidden. Checking the addresses on envelopes in mailboxes is also forbidden, as a breach of privacy.

Generally, if a team is caught breaking any of the rules, or if they lose compulsory equipment they will be disqualified. Loss of equipment can also result in time penalties; for example, teams lose 6 hours for each person who arrives without a rain jacket or poncho, and 3 hours for each person who arrives without a watch.

Each team receives a number of points for finishing the event. The number of points for each finishing position increases for each division. The residence with the most points at the end of the competition wins the event.

Safety Standards

Inward Bound of 2009 introduced new compulsory safety standards for all teams during the race. Each team was required to carry an EPIRB Distress radiobeacon, a satellite phone and a 3G mobile telephone (in a sealed envelope). Using either device during the race would cause immediate disqualification. Organisers now use a comprehensive radio network across the region, 4WD recovery vehicles and first aiders to ensure competitor safety. In 2011, some teams ran with GPS tracking devices ,

History

Inward Bound was first held in 1962. Mike Gore, the founder of Questacon, is credited with coming up with the idea. Bill Packard and John Foster also helped to start the event .

At the time, the Australian National University had only recently been formed and had only 200 students. The first event consisted of a race from South of Canberra to Bruce Hall . At the time Bruce Hall was the only residence on campus and the student population numbered approximately 200. The initial race was won by a team which hitch-hiked back to Bruce Hall.

It became obvious that the teams could not use outside assistance to reach the endpoint. Within a few years the rules were settled to their current format.

RMC Duntroon participated in one Inward Bound event in the 1965. The participation followed animosity between the ANU and RMC and was an attempt to create closer ties between the two institutions.

In 2008, Inward Bound was cancelled because the Organisers were unable to get Stakeholders to 'sign off' before the event was scheduled. In 2009, a comprehensive risk management plan was created for the event. This plan, along with a new dialogue of consultation with ANU administration, state and federal authorities, local councils and landholders meant the event returned in 2009 and has since successfully continued.

Currently the following residences participate in Inward Bound:

• Bruce Hall
• Burgmann College
• Burton & Garran Hall
• Fenner Hall
• Griffin Hall
• John XXIII College
• Ursula Hall.
• UniLodge

50 years

In 2012, Inward Bound will commemorate 50 years of competition. To celebrate, former participants will be invited back to ANU for a reunion in March 2012, prior to the event (which begins Friday March 30) .

See also

IB Guide - accessible on the ANU Network

Inward Bound Official Website

IB 50 years page