Joggling-Cedar Herald Index

Joggling is a competitive sport that combines juggling with jogging. People who joggle are called jogglers.

The most common objects used in joggling are juggling balls, or sometimes juggling clubs, but any set of three or more objects can be used. However, in competitions or long term events, most jogglers prefer to use palm-size beanbags stuffed with birdseed because they are light enough for long distances but heavy enough to withstand winds. The juggling is usually done in a three-ball cascade pattern, which is efficient and uses the least energy. Jogglers say that the arm motions of juggling with three objects feels natural with the action and pace of jogging.

Joggling

Rules

The rules that define joggling in competitions and races are:

Joggling

A juggling pattern must be maintained while running. If an object is dropped, the joggler must return to the point he dropped and continue.

Joggling

Competition

The World Joggling Championships are held each year as one of the events of the International Jugglers' Association juggling festival, where results are recorded and medals awarded. Anyone can compete in the World Joggling Championships, but competitors need to be able to juggle three balls proficiently. All registrants must pay an entry fee, which covers any to all of the events entered for one juggler, and complete and sign a liability waiver. Some events require meeting a qualifying standard (e.g. in a former meet, competitors in the 400 meter 5-ball event need to have completed the 100 meter 5-ball event in less than 90 seconds). The meet schedule for the World Joggling Championships most commonly includes races ranging from 100 meters to 1600 meters, with the occasional novel-yet-standardized distance, prop count, or obstacle. Frequently, world record attempts will be held at these meets (e.g. 800m, 5K, and 10K record attempts in the last decade), as well as relay races in which teammates pass one ball to the next relay runner, who holds two in the handoff zone. The schedule also often includes 4-ball, 5-ball, and 7-ball events, which require much greater technical juggling skills as opposed to flat-out speed. Competitions have been virtual through the COVID-19 pandemic, with the intent of incorporating both virtual and in-person event blocks when the health risk diminishes.

The first championships were held in 1980 at the IJA juggling festival in Fargo, North Dakota. They were organized by Bill Giduz, an avid joggler who edited the IJA Newsletter at the time in an attempt to interest others in the activity. Two races were held on that occasion—a 100-yard race across a football field that was won by Brad Heffler in 13.4 seconds, and a one-mile run on an indoor track that was won by Canadian comic entertainer Michel Lauzière. Lauzière was late to the start line and ran his race barefoot.

2023 World Joggling Championships

2023 marked the first year that IJA held both in-person championships as well as virtual. The In-Person Championship Meet took place at Leighton Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, USA on July 22, 2023 as part of the IJA Annual Festival, and the Virtual Championships had a submission deadline on August 22, 2023.

International Jugglers' Association 76th Annual Festival

Divisions: B12 - Boys 12-and-Under, G12 - Girls 12-and-Under, B17 - Boys 13-to-17, G17 - Girls 13-to-17, MO - Men's Open, WO - Women's Open, MM - Men's Masters, WM - Women's Masters