Ten years ago I had been out training for my first road marathon and had picked up a magazine which had a feature on "adventure running". In particular, I noticed the detail on the Karrimor International Mountain Marathon. I mentioned it to my cousin Alan and we got an entry off. I have done the same every year since.
- 2000 - Lake District Medium Score event with Alan Kelly.
- 2001 - Clyde MuirSheil Regional Park Medium Score event with Alan Kelly.
- 2002 - Cheviot “A” class event with Alan Kelly.
- 2003 - Langhome Medium Score event with Lee Gilbertson.
- 2004 - Brecon Beacons Long Score Event with Lee Gilbertson.
- 2005 - Eastern Lake District (Ullswater) Medium Score event with Bill Horsman.
- 2006 - Galloway Forest Park Short Score event with Joe Coll.
- 2007 - Lowther Hills “A” class event with Jason Harrison.
- 2008 - Borrowdale “C” class event with Alan Kelly (we did finished day 1 before the event was cancelled).
- 2009 - Elan Valley Short Score event with Irene Riach (my wee sister).
There are now a number of other events which follow the same format but are simpler, more grass roots affairs and to be frank ...have more imagination when it comes to location.
This year will be the first time I am not scanning the accepted entries to confirm a place and for the first time in a decade, I will however be following it online from an armchair - wonder how it will feel ?
The obvious hole in the experience is never having attempted elite category. Could I have completed an elite - not sure. Reckon with the right prep and partner (Jason and I did talk about it this year), I reckon so ...maybe another time in another event.
To Alan, Lee, Bill, Jason, Joe and Irene - cheers for putting up with me on the course and midcamp. It was a blast and I would not change a single second or navigational decision (which at times could have been improved on my part).
Joe and me in 2006 - midcamp
Irene & me in 2009 - start of Day 2
come down south for the rab! you can do it solo.....come on....
ReplyDeletewe did the omm for the first time last year. we realsied at the end of day1 we had been spoiled by the lamm.
Come down to the Lakes and do the Saunders next year. I'm up for a short bimble if you fancy... and there's beer at the overnight camp!
ReplyDeleteKate - sadly the Rab clashes with the Two Breweries Hill Race this year :-/
ReplyDeletePyro - assuming it doesn't clash with young Mirren's birthday then aye !
Just realised there is a bit of a beer theme going on :-)