[T]he UK’s biggest mountain race has shaped the UK outdoor community for 50 years. Since 1968 the UK’s greatest running legends, product creators and influential people have stood on the start line.
Created to find the most competent person on the mountain and held at the end of October to guarantee bad weather competitors are at the mercy of the elements… and their own decisions.
Co-started by Chris Brasher who created the London Marathon the year after. Over the years the race has many credits to it’s name; it was the reason for creating a whole new UK mapping system. It was the forerunner to all adventure racing around the world and started the revolution moving away from canvas packs to modern lightweight materials.
50th Anniversary: The OMM race is known as the gold standard for operating ecologically responsibly events in our wild spaces. An independent study showed that the not-for-profit race brings in £200,000 for the local economy during the weekend. As a result the national parks welcome the race. This year the Lake District National Park requested they host the 50th anniversary race as part of highlighting their world heritage status and also to get more people active.
The 100m event centre marquee be based at Stool End Farm at the end of Great Langdale.
Traditionally on the Friday evening all 2000 competitors will meet at the event centre to catch up over something to eat and drink. Saturday morning the race starts from 08:00 – 09:00 before disappearing into the hills. Sunday they will return at 13:00.
The Race: The teams of 2 are given a map on the start line and set off to find a series of checkpoints finishing at an overnight wildcamp in the mountains. They carry a tent, sleeping kit and emergency equipment.
The competitors spend 2 days of enjoyable suffering battling bogs, river crossings and weather.
They only stop once they reach the overnight camp where 1000 tiny green tents are each crammed with 2 hardy competitors trying to get a good nights sleep.
The race changes location every year 2016 was held in Galloway. 2017 will be held around Scafell Pike with the course reaching 5 miles in every direction.
The competitors: The 2000 competitors represent 30 countries including 4 teams from Japan and Australia. The Elite Class have a 50 year rivalry between the Scandinavian Orienteers and UK Fell Runners. In 2016 Team GB Orienteers best the Scandinavians at their own game to take the
Elite title. With all the Elite winners from the last 10 years wanting the 50th title the Elite class will be an interesting race.
The main field comprises of 60/40 men /women with all sizes, abilities and backgrounds attending. The race has a long history being passed down through generations. Many parent compete with their sons/daughters teaching them the skills needed in the mountains. There’s also the couples who bravely choose to compete together and can usually be heard arguing from across the valley.
