Mountain Marathons

There are an increasing number of weekend navigation events that are becoming popular with the fell running fraternity. Below is a (reasonably) comprehensive list of events throughout the year ... which we expect to grow over time.

The Original Mountain Marathon (OMM)

Formerly the Karrimor International Mountain Marathon (KIMM). The oldest established MM on the calendar, the OMM is always held on the last weekend of October (when the clocks go back), various courses including three Score classes (avoid the crowds!). www.theomm.com

Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon (LAMM)

Online entries have opened for LAMM 2009. The location is in one of the classic mountain areas of the Scottish Highlands with a scattering of Munros and Corbetts. The course planner is Angela Mudge, who has planned the LAMM courses on a number of occasions. Andy Spenceley, who planned the courses at Inchnadamph and Glenfinnan, is the controller. www.lamm.co.uk

Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon

Entries are now open for the 31st Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon which will be held over the weekend of the 4th / 5th July 2009. As with last year the SiEntries online entries system will be used for all entries. www.slmm.org.uk

Force Ten (Phoenix) Long O

The dates for 2009 are the 22nd and 23rd August. This is once again the weekend before the August Bank Holiday and the area will be beyond Alwinton in the Coquet Valley but with a new event centre. For those who haven't tried it before - similar format to a Mountain Marathon (two day event, navigating between checkpoints), but without having to carry gear for an overnight camp as you return to the start point at the end of Day One to either camp (or return to your luxurious B&B!). Entry forms or On Line entry now available. www.newcastleorienteering.org.uk/phoenix/phoenix.html

Mourne Mountain Marathon

The Mourne Mountain Marathon is sponsored by Lowe Alpine and Jackson Sports of Belfast. This is a two day endurance and navigation event held each year in the beautiful mountains of Mourne in Northern Ireland.  This website will be active from May to October and will be regularly updated with news, instructions, entry information and results. The next event will take place on the weekend of 19th September 2009 www.mourne2day.com

Highlander Mountain Marathon

A relative newcomer, began in 2007. Event area is in the Highlands, with five courses to choose from. Due to the time of year (April) and need to get a lot of grub inside competitors, a mid-camp meal is provided as is a marquee in which to eat it. www.highlandermountainmarathon.org.uk

Rab Mountain Marathon

Also began in 2007. Competition area is in the north of England. Entrants can be solo or teams of two and the event is a score format. Good training for the OMM and still relatively low key. www.rab.uk.com/news/latest_news/article/default.asp?article=26

Mountain Navigation Challenge

Now in its 21st year (in 2009). The ultimate low key event. The course is planned and organised by the previous year’s winners. A maximum of 20 teams can enter. A score format of seven hours on Day One and five hours on Day Two. Usually held in the Lake District, but recently based in the south of Scotland. www.mtnavchallenge.co.uk

Dartmoor Mountain Marathon

The Dartmoor Mountain Marathon is a foot based, two day navigation event taking place on 13 & 14 June 2009, and is open to teams of two and solo competitors. The event follows the now infamous format of a mountain marathon, with competitors navigating over tough terrain to visit check points whilst carrying enough equipment to remain self sufficient. The event is designed to achieve 3 goals:
- To challenge the adventurous athlete; testing endurance, self reliance, navigation and outdoor skills
- To enjoy and explore this beautiful and mystical National Park, including a night under canvas in a wilderness location
- To support and raise funds for the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Group Tavistock
There are 5 recognised mountain marathon classes; Elite, B, C, Long Score, Medium Score, and for the first time in the UK, a new class will be introduced, Combi Score class. This will combine a day of foot based activity with a day on the bike.
www.endurancelife.com/event.asp?series=13

Capricorn

The Capricorn is a two day mountain navigation competition run by the Pendle Forest Orienteers on an annual basis. Competitors carry only sufficient clothing, equipment and sustenance for a day on the fells and return to the event centre overnight. www.thecapricorn.co.uk

Lake District Mountain Trial

The Mountain Trial is a severe test of fellrunners’ mountaineering ability and stamina in the safe and fast traverse of difficult and often dangerous terrain where navigational skills and route choice have a direct bearing on each competitor’s safety. Evolving from a race organised by the YHA in 1952, it is run on orienteering principles and is the longest established event of its kind in Great Britain.
Men’s Trial: around 16 miles and 7000ft climb. Estimated winning time = 4.5hrs. Minimum age for entry: 18yrs
Women’s Trial: around 12miles and 5000ft climb. Estimated winning time = 3.5hrs. Minimum age for entry: 18yrs
Short Trial: around 10 miles and 3500ft climb. Estimated winning time = 2.5hrs. Open to men and women. Minimum age for entry: 18yrs
www.ldmta.org.uk

Kinder Trial

Held very early in the year (Feb 1st in 2009) this is a low key Fell Orienteering Event from Hayfield Scout Hut, GR SK 035 873. Entry Fee £6, including map extract & meal. Registration 9.15am - 10.30am; interval starts 10am-11am. Over 18. Limit of 150 runners. Pre-entry (by Jan 23rd) essential due to limit on entries. Organiser Andy Howie, The Chalet, Tunstead Clough, Edale Road, Hayfield, SK22 2LL. Tel 01663 742138 or 07970 751833 email: andyhowie@talktalk.net
www.cs.man.ac.uk/~temples/hc/

Dark and White Mini Mountain Marathons

Each Autumn/Winter,organised in the Peak District, a series of shorter mountain marathons (mini-MM's). These are 3 hour events aimed at testing both competitors' legs and brains. Each entrant is supplied at the start with a bagged colour OS map extract, over-printed with all the required event information.
www.darkandwhite.co.uk/mountain-marathons.asp

Copeland Chase

The Copeland Chase is an orienteering event, held in West Cumbria, in late autumn. The event follows a traditional format of short (~10k), medium (~15k) and long (~20k) cross-country courses, each having a number of 'controls' which are to be visited in the specified order. Some navigational skills are required. The controls are generally easier to find than in traditional orienteering events, but a bit less obvious than in normal fell races (i.e they are not all on the tops of hills). Control sites are similar to those used in a typical mountain marathon event, and we aim to supply quality, pre-marked and bagged orienteering maps on a 1:20,000 scale or better. In 2007, the event was resurrected by members of the West Cumberland Orienteering Club (WCOC) after an absence of 7 years.
www.copelandchase.org.uk

Warrior Winter Warmer O Trial

Gnarly Long, Short and Medium O Trail held in January in the Lake District
www.waroc.org.uk

New Chew

This is a traditional O event in the finest sense. Remember MM's when you were given more food than you could eat at the end with a few pints to wash it down? And far cheaper than the average regional Orienteering event. Three courses for solos, held in March.
www.www.saddleworth-runners.co.uk