Events
I was originally going to write that there are four MMs in the UK but new ones keep appearing on the calendar, now giving six events from spring through to autumn. I'll give a few details of each MM below, when and where it is, how it differs from the others, and where to find more details.
- Highlander Mountain Marathon. This was a brand new event for 2007. It takes place in Scotland at the end of March. It fills a gap in the calendar but being so early it could have interesting weather, though no midges! Writing after the first event they did have very interesting, ie snowy, weather. There are four cross country classes and a score class. The website suggests that there is food and entertainment provided at the mid-camp. Again, after the event it seems that they provided a heated marquee, though you still had to sleep in your own tent. Food, drink and entertainment were on offer. By all accounts it was an enjoyable, small, friendly MM.
- Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon. My personal favourite. The LAMM always take place in Scotland in June, though the exact location is not revealed until the Thursday before the event. It roughly alternates between very north and not-so north, 2006 year was very north. The LAMM offers six cross country classes from Elite to Novice. The locations are usually spectacular. The mid-camp is often very remote anmd beautiful, last year it was on the banks of a sea loch with otters and seals. It does though have slit trenches for toilets. There are often some surprises, being transported to the start by steam train is one I've had. Or discovering, as you park in Oban, that the event is on Mull and the ferry is waiting. It is a relatively small, friendly event with a single mid-camp where you're bound to meet someone you know.
- Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon. This great event takes place in the Lakes in early July. It can never be as remote as the other MMs but it makes up for that in friendliness. It offers several cross country classes and a solo class for the elites. The mid-camp has the luxury of portaloos and the sale of milk and beer, bring some money!
- Mourne Mountain Marathon. This small event takes place in Northern Ireland in the late summer. It offers just three cross country classes.
- Rab Mountain Marathon. Another new kid on the block taking place in the Lake District on the last weekend in September, in 2008 at least. It offers just score classes for pairs and solo runners.
- Original Mountain Marathon. This was the KIMM but a change of sponsorship has meant a change of name. The OMM offers four cross country and three score classes. It always takes place at the end of October. The plus side of this is an extra hour in bed, the minus side is that you'll not want a lie in. It can take place anywhere in upland Britain. The OMM can suffer from atrocious weather, one event a few years ago had 95% of contestants retiring before the first control due to blizzard conditions. However, the OMM is still the London Marathon of MMs. It is the biggest event and it often has different midcamps for different classes.
In addition to the UK-based standard mountain marathons above there are also events abroad and other UK events that are not in the standard two-day mountain marathon format.
- The Great Lakeland 3 Day is a three day MM usually held in the Lakes but this year it is in North Wales. Although it uses a separate campsite each night the organisers do transport a limited amount of luggage for you.
- The Phoenix Long O is a two day long orienteering event that takes place in the Cheviots. It is the nearest thing there is to local event for the Striders. It uses a single campsite that you start and finish at each day. You can even stay in a B&B if you wish.
- The Capricorn. has a similar format to The Phoenix but takes place in the North West.
- The Lake District Mountain Trial. is a one day long navigational fell race.
- Overseas MMs. There are several events overseas in France, Switzerland, Hong Kong and even the Arctic!
