Please print this and photocopy these details for your friends if required

 

EVENT

 

DETAILS

SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

17th/18th JUNE 2000

A Two Day Competition For Pairs with Overnight Campsite at a

 Location is 3½-4 Hrs Drive from Glasgow/Edinburgh & 1½ Hrs from Inverness!

 

 

Our commiseration’s if you were unable to join us for Isle of Jura 97, Ardgour 98 or Black Mount 99.  For all of us they provided unique challenges and unforgettable experiences.  This year our event will take place in a remote, severe, high mountain region of the Scottish Highlands, which is every bit as tough as Black Mount 99.  The many landowners and local people have already been most helpful during the early planning stages.  As usual, we would ask you to be prepared for the unexpected and  would prefer teams to think twice before applying if they are not sure that they will feel able to enter into the spirit of the event.  The mid-camp will be at an isolated location and unless you have suffered a broken limb or other severe injury there will be absolutely no chance of a lift back to the Event Centre.

 

At the request of the estates concerned and also to keep you guessing, further information about the location will NOT be provided until 18:00hrs on Thursday 15th June.  You wilI then be able to access a pre-recorded telephone message or check the web site www.lamm.co.uk for an update.  In the meantime there is no point trying to ply us with drinks in the hope of a hint!  Should you become aware of the location by accident, we are relying on you to keep it to yourself and under no circumstances to spoil the surprise for others by ‘spouting off’.  Anyone found to be passing on this information will have their entry fee returned and is barred from future events.  We guarantee that you will all be able to make it home on Sunday night. 

 

From the experience of previous years, we expect the event to fill very quickly.  The format of the competition itself will be fairly straightforward for those with experience of 2-day Mountain Marathons and we hope to keep the organisation informal and friendly.  The emphasis will be on good courses and the quality of the race itself.

 

We hope to provide you with a weekend of racing and adventure!  The connoisseurs Mountain Marathon.

 

Martin Stone

Event Organiser

Debbie Thompson 

Entries Admin. & Map

Chris Hall

Planner

Mark Hawker

Controller

 

 

BRIEF DETAILS OF THE WEEKEND & EVENT FORMAT

 

REGISTRATION & FRIDAY CAMPING will be at the Event Centre.  Wilf’s, the outdoor caterers who attend orienteering events and MM’s will be present selling meals in one of the marquees on Friday evening.  Electronic cards for recording times at checkpoints and two event maps per team will be issued and although it will also be possible to make team substitutions or to change course, we would prefer you to at least choose the right course when you enter!  We would suggest that where possible you plan the Friday so that you are able to arrive at the Event Centre NOT LATER than MIDNIGHT

 

TRANSPORT FROM GLASGOW OR INVERNESS TO THE LAMM We are organising optional transport on Friday afternoon and early/mid evening, which will carry you directly to the Event Centre with the option to return on Sunday.  If in due course you wish to book on one of the coaches, complete the booking form and send it with your remittance by 5th JUNE LATEST so that we can schedule the coaches to meet your requirements.  Precise details of the arrangement will be displayed on the web site or sent to you by early June.  Coach ‘managers’ will try to ensure that connections are kept with late-running trains, coaches and flights, so long as we are made aware that people are arriving on them.  Useful online booking sites are www.easyjet.com and www.britishairways.com. 

 

HOT TIP - CARRY YOUR PACKED EVENT SACKS AS HAND LUGGAGE.  Last year, Sabena Airline mislaid the hold luggage of a pair from Holland.  They turned up at the event without any kit and were unable to participate - a disaster for them and a lesson to be learned.

 

 

Inverness:  We would thoroughly recommend early booking to Inverness as it is much more local to the event than Glasgow.  EasyJet flight 171 12:30 Luton->13:55 Inv and returning on Sunday flight 178 19:25 Inv -> 20:55 Luton.  Best price £88 return.   

BA7946 15:00 Gatwick->16:45 Inv and returning on Sunday by BA7947 17:30 Inv->19:15 Gatwick.  Best price £110 return.

We will meet both of these Friday flights and then call at Inverness railway station approx. 14.45 and 17:30 (ensure your inward transport reaches Inverness by 16.45).  On Sunday, the transport to Inverness will leave the Event Centre at 15:00 to connect with the returning flights.  En route it will call at Inverness railway station approx. 16:30 so please don't book onward transport before 17:00.

Glasgow:  There are Easyjet flights from Luton and other direct flights from Belfast, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cardiff, Dublin, East Midlands, Isle of Man, Leeds Bradford, London (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted), Manchester and Southampton.  Do not confuse Glasgow Airport with Prestwick Airport, which is to the SW of Glasgow.  In view of the distance to the venue, the latest transport on Friday will leave Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station at 19:00 and Glasgow Airport at 19:30.  Please don't make bookings on trains/buses that get to Glasgow later than 18:15 or planes that get to Glasgow Airport later than 19:00.  On Sunday, the transport to Glasgow will leave the Event Centre at 14:30 and is only intended to connect with flights leaving Glasgow Airport after 19:15.  Transport will then call at Glasgow railway station and Buchanan Bus Station.  Please don't book onward transport from the centre of Glasgow before 19:00. 

 

If you are local to Glasgow or Inverness and in return for free transport would be prepared to ‘manage’ a coach, please contact MARTIN STONE as shown below.

 

ACCOMMODATION ON FRIDAY NIGHT  will be available this year on a first come, first served basis for those who can't bear the thought of spending two nights in a tent.  We realise that this style of event makes it difficult to book accommodation for the Friday night and would prefer teams to camp at the Event Centre and enjoy the ambiance.  You may of course eat at Wilf's at the Event Centre before heading off to your accommodation.  A form is attached so that you can make bookings with us for local B&B's and superior bunkhouse accommodation with showers and a kitchen, all within 4 miles of the Event Centre.

 

If you have access to www.lamm.co.uk, please keep an eye on the accommodation section in order to avoid trying to make a booking when all the accommodation has already been allocated.  If you try to make a booking and all beds have already been allocated, we will refund your booking fee.  The location of your accommodation will be described on the web site from 18.00hrs on Thursday 15th June or when you register at the Event Centre on Friday afternoon/evening.  There will be one price for B&B, so some will get a slightly better deal than others and beds will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.  The more flexible your requirements, the more likely we are to be able to help.  Bookings will NOT be acknowledged unless your first choice is not available, but if you have access to www.lamm.co.uk, check the accommodation section to confirm your booking.    

 

Those of you who are travelling to the event by coach from Glasgow or Inverness should camp at the Event Centre on Friday night to avoid a long walk!

 

TEAMS WILL BE STARTED AT INTERVALS of one minute between 07.30hrs - 09.30hrs on Saturday morning and will then receive the locations of the race checkpoints.  Pairs must stay within visual and verbal contact of each other and checkpoints visited in the order given.  BOTH MEMBERS MUST VISIT EACH CONTROL.  We are aware that in previous years, a few teams have cheated where one member was descending to a control before climbing back up the hill to join a weaker partner.  This will not be tolerated and some checkpoints will be manned.  Teams will be timed in to the overnight campsite and must carry sufficient food and equipment to camp out for the night.  In view of the long journey home, on Sunday morning the leading teams will leave in a ‘chasing start’ from 06.00hrs and for the majority, a ‘mass start’ will take place at 07.00.   The finish will be at the Event Centre, where results will be determined by aggregating the times for both days.  Wilf's Outdoor Catering will also provide a post-race meal where teams will have the opportunity to discuss the trials and tribulations of the weekend.

 

COMPASS POINT SHOP:  The mobile shop is a supplier of Lowe Alpine kit and will be present at the event to provide an opportunity for any urgent last minute purchases before the event and replacement of trashed gear afterwards.  Contact Rick Houghton at rick@compasspoint-online.co.uk or telephone 01253 795597 to ensure that the shop can bring whatever you will need.  If you are flying to the event and are unable to carry GAS CYLINDERS with you, contact the shop to ensure that he brings enough of the right type to the event.  You can also purchase equipment from his secure online web shop  at www.compasspoint-online.co.uk.

 

PRIZES:  First 4 teams on each course, the  veteran team (combined age of 80 or more) with the fastest adjusted time based on a handicap system, first mixed and first women’s team in each class.

 

POT HUNTING!  Prizewinners in previous years (other than Elite) are ineligible for prizes when competing on a course & category (unless veterans) where they have previously won a 1st or 2nd prize.  We reserve the right to decide a team's eligibility for a prize where one team member who has previously won a prize pairs up with another previously unplaced member and they enter a lower course.


 

COURSES:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

ELITE:

 Fastest running time about 12 hours

Age limit - 18

56KM

A:

 Fastest running time about 11 hours

Age limit - 18

52KM

B:

 Fastest running time about 10 hours

Age limit - 18

48KM

C:

 Fastest running time about 9 hours

Age limit - 18

43KM

D:

 Fastest running time about 8 hours, walking time 11 hours

Age limit - 16*

37KM

NOVICE:

 Fastest walking time about 8 hours

Age limit - 16*

30KM

                (*One team member must be over 18. A letter giving parental consent must accompany the entry form)     

 

These distances are only approximate but we will endeavour to ensure that the fastest time is achievable given good weather.  Please do not be misled if you feel the distances are short.  These are straight lines drawn between the controls, the terrain is mountainous even by Mountain Marathon standards with plenty of climbing.  Day 1 will take significantly longer than day 2 and the courses will combine relatively fast high-level routes with lower level sections, which demand more technical navigation.

 

NOTES ON VETTING:  All entries will be vetted for suitable experience and each team must be able to navigate in the hills.  Elite entries must have completed an Elite or A course at a recent mountain marathon, A entries an A or B course.  Alternatively they should have achieved a fast time in a long fell navigation race or similar event.  Other impressive achievements will be considered!  These courses could involve some scrambling. 

 

B and C entrants must have completed a course at a recent mountain marathon or long fell navigation race or alternatively have significant experience of mountaineering or long days moving quickly in the hills.  The D course is intended for those with limited mountain marathon experience, but who are very strong walkers or steady runners.  These courses will also cross steep, rough mountain terrain and require excellent navigation skills. 

 

We are providing a NOVICE course this year (previously named the SHORT) but it is intended to be non-competitive and no prizes will be awarded.  It is only suitable for those who have limited or no experience of Mountain Marathons and it may be necessary to provide relatively direct courses to and from the midcamp.

 

All entrants should feel capable of completing the E, A and B courses within 150% of the winner's time, while the C and D courses should be completed within 180% of the winner's time.  Speed and fitness are important factors in mountain safety.  Please do not enter this event merely with the aim of finishing a course regardless of the time taken.

 

IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO CHOOSE A SENSIBLE COURSE IF YOU INTEND TO RETURN TO GLASGOW OR INVERNESS BY COACH!  If we assume you are in the Sunday mass start, the transport to Glasgow will leave the Event Centre 7½ hours later.

 

PLEASE READ THIS WARNING:  This year you could be tackling the most challenging mountain terrain ever used for a British MM and the daily distances will reflect this.  If you are not both competent and confident when moving across steep, rough mountain terrain, you will inevitably be spending longer on the hills than you anticipated.  In view of this, please make a realistic assessment of your capabilities and ensure that you are tackling a course which best reflects your mountain skills.  Please be prepared for the worst possible conditions as the competition area is very isolated and these hills are exposed to serious weather.  Bear in mind that you are very much on your own once you have started.  Although the organisers will ensure that the event is as safe as possible, your safety is ultimately your own personal responsibility, just as it is with any trip into the hills.  Consider training for this event by running on mountain terrain where possible and by practising fine map reading and compass skills.

 

TRAINING COURSES for those who wish to improve their mountain marathon skills will take place in the North Lakes on the weekends of March 25/26, May 20/21st and September 30/1st October.  Joe Faulkner who is an outdoor professional and qualified mountain/canoe instructor will lead them.  For more details and a booking form email faulknerjoe@hotmail.com, see www.adventureracinguk.com/train.html or contact Joe at Post Box Cottage, Kirkland, PENRITH, Cumbria CA10 1RN.

 

THE MAP:  Each team will receive 2 copies.  This year, the map is at 1:40000 scale with a contour interval of 10m and  is based on data from the relevant OS 1:50000 sheets.

 

COMPULSORY KIT:  Each team must carry a tent with ground sheet, food for evening meal and breakfast, stove and means to produce hot food/drink, first aid kit to include wound dressings (one large), triangular bandage, roller bandage & anti-inflammatory tablets/ointments (not compulsory).

 

Each person must wear or carry a whistle, compass, map, pencil & paper, torch (not penlight) with spare bulb & 6 hours light, sleeping bag, survival bag (not space blanket), waterproof cagoule with hood - a  Pertex windproof top is not acceptable, overtrousers, hat & gloves, tracksters/thermal bottoms, thermal vest or similar, warm thicker top, hill food for each day with a small amount of emergency rations to remain at the end of day 2.

 

A Goretex bivi bag may be used as a sleeping bag but not as a tent.  Footwear must be lightweight boots, fell running or orienteering shoes – no flat-soled trainers permitted.

 

Teams should be prepared for random kit checks on arrival at the midway camp and at the end of  the event.

 

 

RECOMMENDED KIT:  If you feel there is any risk that the water you may drink en route or at the campsites is not pure enough, you should consider using suitable water purification tablets.  This would be more significant after a period of unusually dry weather.  Midge repellent and sunscreen should also be considered.

 

FORBIDDEN KIT:  GPS and any Satellite Navigation device such as Magellan - altimeters are allowed. 

 

ENTRY LIMIT & WAITING LIST:  Teams will be accepted on a first come basis, however we will guarantee entry to teams on the Elite Course.  When courses are filled, new entrants will be placed on their second choice course and informed of the situation.  Their cheque will then be banked if nothing is heard to the contrary within two weeks.  When the limit is reached or a second choice course is filled, a waiting list will be generated.  Teams will be informed of their position on this list and cheques retained by us but not banked.  In view of the uncertainty, teams on the waiting list may withdraw and ask for their cheque to be returned at any time.  As places on courses become available, the next suitable team from the list will be contacted with the good news.  Cheques will be returned to those who still remain on the waiting list on 1st June.  Your entry will not be confirmed by post but those with access to the Internet can check the list of teams on the web site (see below), which will be updated every few weeks.  

 

WITHDRAWING AN ENTRY:  Should the team be unable to participate (even at the eleventh hour), please write to the entries address (see below) and your request to withdraw will be acknowledged.  Only if we receive your notification in writing franked with a 25th May (latest) postmark and this results in reducing the waiting list, will the team will qualify for a refund of the entry fee plus any coach booking fee and accommodation fee (if replacements are found)  less £10 which will be paid by the end of July.

 

OBTAINING INFORMATION FROM THE WEB SITE: www.lamm.co.uk.  Our event was the first UK Mountain Marathon to make use of a web site in 1998.  This year we will extend the use of the site and it will be worth checking for news every few weeks.  These details are being placed on the site in a form that can be easily printed and in due course the Final Details and Results will appear in the same way.  We would like to encourage team members to circle the box on the Entry Form, which confirms that you agree to print all further information when it appears on the web site, and not receive any further correspondence about this event by mail.  We do not produce a glossy result booklet so you won’t be missing anything.  For those who can agree to this, there is a modest reduction in the entry fee of £1 per person!   

 

FINAL DETAILS:  These will be published on the web site and sent to those competitors who have not ticked the relevant box on the entry form by the end of MAY.

 

LIFTS REQUIRED/OFFERED:  As in 1999, we will publish details of those offering lifts on our web site.  Last year we were able to solve a number of transport ‘crises’.  If you have a particular travel problem and have been unable to find a solution, we will do our best to help.  Contact us as shown below if you are either a donor or hopeful recipient.

 

LOOKING FOR A PARTNER?  The web site worked wonders for a few ‘desperate’ competitors last year.  At least 10 partnerships were forged through the site and some teams were very successful.  If you lose a partner or are looking for a partner, check the web site and contact us if you would like your name to be added to the on-line list.

 

VOLUNTEERS FOR A MEDICAL SURVEY:  We have been asked if we can assist with some medical research as recent research suggests that prolonged endurance exercise may have a detrimental effect on the heart.  Robert Shave would like us to try to find 20-30 competitors who would be prepared to assist with the collection of data.  There is a box on the Entry Form where you can say yes or no.  To give you some idea of the commitment required, a small blood sample of 30ml will be collected at registration, immediately on arrival at the midcamp and at the finish of day 2.  An electrocardiograph (ECG) and echocardiograph, which take a total of 20 minutes, would be conducted at registration and within 30 minutes of finishing day 2 (after you've changed into warm clothes).  All results of the study would be fed back to the competitors in due course.         

 

CAN YOU HELP?:  If you are thinking of coming to the event but are not competing, and would be willing to work hard all weekend at parking,  registration, the starts, finishes, midcamp or on the hill, please contact MARTIN STONE as shown below much closer to the event.

 

ADMINISTRATION ADDRESS:  For all correspondence, EMAIL: martin@lamm.co.uk, FAX 01931 714107, write to Martin Stone, Lowe Alpine MM, Sleagill Head farm, SLEAGILL, PENRITH  CA10 3HD or in the last resort telephone 01931 714106

 

MORE MAPS OR JURA 97 VIDEOS?  Would you like a memento of recent LAMM adventures at Black Mount 1999, Ardgour 98 or Jura 97.  Maps of these areas are still available at a price of  £5.00 each including a postal tube & p+p or £4.00 for two or more.  A 45-minute video of the Jura 97 LAMM is available for £9 including p+p.