RECEIVING EMAIL UPDATES AND OBTAINING INFORMATION FROM THE WEB SITE: Our event was the first UK Mountain Marathon to make use of a website in 1998. More than 2500 of you have already subscribed to the SPORTident Events email mailing list to receive regular news updates about important issues and so that we can tell you when you need to take another look at the website. If you haven't already subscribed, it is important that you visit www.lamm.co.uk and subscribe to the list. If your first attempt to register is not successful, please try again later as we are aware of occasional problems when joining the list. If all else fails, contact martin@lamm.co.uk with a detailed description of the problem.

These Event Details are being placed on the website in a form that can be easily downloaded or printed. In due course a team list, any additional details and the Results will appear in the same way. We would like to encourage team members to tick the option on the Entry Form, which confirms that you have personally subscribed to the email mailing list, agreeing 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. Remember - if you don't subscribe to the list, we can't tell you either about urgent issues or when you need to take another look at the website.

Those who do not have access to the Internet will be sent confirmation of their entry and their team number a few weeks before the event. If you do not hear from us immediately, assume you are entered.

BRIEF DETAILS OF THE WEEKEND & EVENT FORMAT

ARRIVING ON FRIDAY: Yellow LAMM signs will direct you to the parking area. The car park will not open until 15.00, so please do not come to the venue by vehicle until then. Wherever possible please share transport with another team, as parking space is especially limited this year. Parking will be within 1KM of the camping field where the Event Centre is located and those who arrive earliest will park furthest away. There will be no car key deposit so please keep your keys with you. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage, should an unfortunate incident occur. Do not arrive at the parking area after MIDNIGHT, as it will be closed to avoid disruption to local people and other competitors. If you cannot make this closing time, you should camp en route and see the note below for those arriving on Saturday morning.

ARRIVING ON SATURDAY MORNING: We think that you will enjoy the event more if you are able to arrive on Friday. However, if this is not possible, the parking area will be open on Saturday morning from 07.00 - 10.00.

USE OUR TRANSPORT FROM GLASGOW: We are organising optional transport on Friday 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 online booking form 8th JUNE LATEST so that we can schedule the coaches to meet your requirements. Details of those who have booked will be updated on the website, precise details of the arrangement will be displayed there 10th June. The coach 'manager' 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.

Do not confuse Glasgow Airport with Prestwick Airport, which is 1 hour to the SW of Glasgow. Our coach transport to the venue will collect first from Glasgow Buchanan Coach Station and then from Glasgow Airport (not Prestwick). If you wish to take advantage of our coach, you should arrive at Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station no later than 19:30hrs or your flight should arrive at Glasgow Airport no later than 20:00hrs on Friday 13th June. Our coach will leave the Event Centre at 15:00 on the Sunday. If using our coach transport to return to Glasgow on Sunday afternoon you should not book a train/coach that leaves Glasgow earlier than 18:00hrs or a flight that leaves Glasgow Airport earlier than 19:00hrs. We will return you to the airport in time for 19:00hrs flights.

FLYING TO GLASGOW, PRESTWICK OR EDINBURGH: The deals available at the moment from the budget airlines are truly fantastic. We have a special page on the website devoted to helping those who arrive early on the Friday by plane to be put in touch with others who might like to share a hire car. This will also be helpful for those arriving at Glasgow early on the Friday who wish to avoid hanging around until 20:30.

Useful online booking websites with the services offered are:
www.easyjet.com: Luton -> Glasgow, Gatwick & Luton -> Edinburgh
www.go-airlines.co.uk: Stansted, Belfast, Bristol & East Midlands -> Glasgow & Edinburgh
www.flybmi.com: East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Heathrow & Manchester -> Glasgow & Edinburgh
www.ryanair.co.uk: Stansted -> Prestwick
www.britishairways.com: Many -> Glasgow & Edinburgh

HOT TIP - CARRY YOUR PACKED EVENT SACKS AS HAND LUGGAGE. Three years ago, 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. Even on domestic flights you should now carry your passport or some other form of photo identification.

GAS CANISTERS: You cannot carry these canisters on an aircraft. Please contact Rick Houghton at Compass Point so that he can reserve one or more of the right type of canister for you. Rick will have his shop at the event. Telephone: 01253 705597 or email rick@compasspoint-online.co.uk. Order online from www.compasspoint-online.co.uk.

If you live in the Glasgow area and in return for free transport would be prepared to 'manage' a coach, please contact martin@lamm.co.uk.

SPORTident TIMING, the premier electronic system for recording times at checkpoints, will be used. This year you may use your own SI Card to save a £2 hire charge. It is possible to purchase an SI Card 5 (10 yr malfunction guarantee) for the reduced price of £17 by visiting the online shop at www.sportident.co.uk. These cards can be used at many types of event. If you are using your own card at the event, you must present this card at registration to confirm that the SI Card number you logged on your entry form is correct. Those who need to hire an SI-Card will receive it at registration. We will also supply a special permanent wristband, which must be used to attach ALL hired SI-Cards.

CALLING ALL DOCTORS: We realise that it would be nice to get away from the 'day job', however it would reassure us to be able to identify a few doctors at the mid-camp who could liase with members of the mountain rescue in case of emergency. If you don't mind the imposition, please make yourself known at registration.

MERCHANDISE: Suitable-sized map bags, pens, videos of the Jura 1997 LAMM, the handbook "Mountain Navigation For Runners" by Martin Bagness and maps from previous events. Additional maps from LAMM 2003 may also be purchased at the end of the event.

EVENT TEE & SWEAT SHIRTS: As usual, we will offer mementos of the event. They can be purchased during the weekend in the marquee and should these sell out, a mail order list will be compiled and items despatched by the end of July.

COMPASS POINT SHOP: The mobile shop 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.

WILFS OUTDOOR CATERING who attend orienteering events and mountain marathons all around the UK will be present to provide a variety of food for purchase on Friday evening from about 16.00. This will include Soup, Pizza, Chilli in a bowl, baked potatoes, pasta bowl, a number of cakes and the usual brews. On Saturday morning, cereal and bacon rolls will be on the menu. A free meal is provided to each competitor on Sunday at the end of the event. Visit www.wilfs-café.co.uk.

DAY 1 START times will be allocated at registration. Allow 30 minutes to reach the assembly point. Day 1 assembly times are between 08.00 - 10.15. At the start enter the taped area corresponding to your course. An official will note your team number as a safety check. You are advised to use the small plastic bags provided at registration to protect the description sheet, which is not waterproof. The description sheet will give a 6-figure grid reference for each checkpoint on your course, plus a written description and code to look for at the checkpoint. The checkpoints must be visited in the order shown on the sheet.

THE MAP: Each team will receive 2 maps, which will be handed out on the way to the start. 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. The maps are not waterproof and will not be laminated. Map bags will be available for purchase at registration.

CHECKPOINTS: Pairs must stay within visual and verbal contact of each other and 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 by volunteers who will ask you for your team number. Each checkpoint will be marked with an orienteering-type orange and white nylon marker and a SPORTident station will be attached to it. This will usually be sited at ground level, weighted down with rocks. Always check the 3-digit identification code on each SPORTident station to ensure that you have visited the correct one for your course. You will not be penalised if you inadvertently dip your SI-Card at an extra control that is not on your course but you must dip your Si-Card at all the controls on your course in the correct order. Ensure that the station is not upside down when you insert the SI-Card. Any closing times will be marked against the relevant checkpoint description and you should not expect to find a checkpoint marker if you arrive after this time.

OVERNIGHT CAMP: Please adhere to signs and protect the water source by washing downstream of the drinking water collection area. No rubbish is to be discarded on the hills or at the mid-camp. ALL rubbish MUST be carried out and taken back to the Event Centre with you on Sunday afternoon. Spot checks will be made at the finish.

DAY 2 START: This year we will experiment with a more flexible start regime for the Sunday morning and the procedure will be very different in 2003. There will be a chasing start for the leading teams, which will begin at 07.00. This will carry on until 08.00 and the majority of the teams will start from 08.05 onwards at any time of their choosing until 08.30. Day 2 start times for Chasing Starters will be displayed on the results board when a reasonable number of teams have completed Day 1. Teams that retire or are disqualified on Day 1 are very welcome to start Day 2. Teams will start from a taped area close to the mid-camp and all will use their Si-Card to record their start time. Course description sheets will be issued in the taped area. Competitors will receive description sheets just after they start. Any teams that takes more than 9 hours to complete Day 1 will this year be given the opportunity of starting at any time from 07.00 onwards. We hope that this will help to draw the slower teams along and when the majority of teams catch up, they will help to motivate the slower teams. Also we hope that the range of finish times will be compressed.

DAY 2 FINISH - THE EVENT CENTRE: Random kit checks will be made and rubbish generated during the weekend must be displayed. A free meal will be served to all competitors by Wilf's Outdoor Catering. The prize giving will take place nearby at around 14.00.

DAY 2 COURSE CLOSING TIME: All teams must be back by 16.00 on Sunday whether or not they have completed their course.

PRIZES will be awarded to the first 4 teams on each course, first mixed and first women's team in each class. A handicap prize will be awarded to the first veteran's team where the total age of the team is 90 or more on Saturday 14th June 2003. The handicap is based on an allowance of 1 minute per hour of running time for every 2 years of age increment over 90 years.

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.

RETIREMENTS: Teams must hand in their control cards if they are retiring, either at the mid-camp or at the Event Centre. THIS IS THE GOLDEN RULE AND MUST BE ADHERED TO WITHOUT EXCEPTION. Failure to follow this procedure will result in the Arrochar Mountain Rescue being forced to stay in the area on Sunday evening. They have jobs to return to on Monday and will be extremely annoyed if you cause a false alarm. Any competitor doing so will be blacklisted for all future events. Should you retire and return to the Event Centre during Saturday or early on Sunday, please place your electronic control cards in the labelled box in the marquee, otherwise hand them in at the finish funnel. It is the responsibility of competitors to make their own way back to the Event Centre.The mid-camp will be at an isolated location and unless you have suffered a broken limb or other severe injury it is unlikely that we will be able to offer transport back to the Event Centre.

HIND CALVING & CROSSING FENCES: The event takes place during the hind calving period. Should you discover a newly born calf that is apparently alone and in distress, please give it a wide berth and under NO CIRCUMSTANCES TOUCH IT. On her return, the mother is likely to reject the calf after detecting human scent. No deer fence is to be crossed except at a specified crossing point and stock fences should either be straddled or crossed at strainers.

ACCIDENTS: Use your whistle to summon assistance from other competitors. Put the casualty in a sleeping bag or tent while someone, preferably two people, go for help. Someone should stay with the casualty at all times, although if you cannot summon help you may have to leave them on their own. Make a careful note of the grid reference, nearby features, time and nature of injuries. Telephone the 24 hour emergency phone number shown on your Control Description sheet and ask for a suitable message to be passed to the Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team who will be present all weekend.

Adders are quite active at this time of year, however it is extremely unlikely that anyone will be bitten. Should you be unlucky, it is not likely to be too serious. Immediately wash the bite to remove venom on the surface, dispel any notion of continuing competitively and rest for about half an hour with the relevant limb elevated. If you are not feeling too feverish or nauseous after this rest, proceed gently either to the mid-camp or to a road, whichever is the nearer. Seek medical advice as soon as possible.

CHOOSING YOUR COURSE:

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.

Here are the LAMM 1999 and 2000 course statistics. The 2001 event was slightly shortened because we felt that competitors would be less fit than usual due to access restrictions caused by Foot & Mouth disease.

	Black Mount 1999		Glenshiel 2000
	Distance - KM	Ascent/Descent	Distance - KM	Ascent/Descent
Elite	55.1	3210	53.1	3430
A	51.2	2670	44.7	2980
B	47.9	2490	39.7	2540
C	40.4	2380	35.9	2450
D	36.3	1840	31.1	2190
NOVICE	27.9	1350	29.5	1860

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 again this year 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 BY COACH! If we assume you are in the Sunday mass start at 08:00, the transport to Glasgow will leave the Event Centre approximately 7 hours later.

PLEASE READ THIS WARNING: This year you will be tackling some very challenging mountain terrain and the daily distances will reflect this. It will not however be as severe as Glen Shiel 2000. 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 Lake District on seven weekends this year. Joe Faulkner who is an outdoor professional and qualified mountain/canoe instructor will lead them. For more details and a booking form visit www.bamptonpo.com , email faulknerjoe@hotmail.com, or contact Joe at The Unique Alternative, Bampton Post Office Store and Cafe, Bampton, Near Haweswater, Penrith, Cumbria. CA10 2RQ Telephone: 01931 713351. Mobile: 0778 7772262

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 (or second LED) & 6 hours light - Petzl Tikka and similar are fine, sleeping bag, survival bag (not space blanket), waterproof cagoule with hood (not a Pertex windproof), overtrousers (these can be Pertex), hat & gloves, tracksters/thermal bottoms (lycra tights OK if weather forecast is good), 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. The Blizzard Pack is an acceptable alternative to a sleeping bag. Footwear must be lightweight boots, fell running or orienteering shoes - no flat-soled trainers permitted.

Trail shoes may not be ideal for contouring but will be acceptable as long as the heel is not too high. The ideal shoe for most is a fell running shoe such as the Walsh PB, New Balance RX Terrain, The Felldancer or Adidas Swoop or Lightfoot.

Please carry some money with you (a note) in case you get stranded miles from the Event Centre.

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 and Garmin - altimeters are allowed.

ENTRY LIMIT & WAITING LIST: Teams will generally be accepted on a first come basis. We will however guarantee entry to teams on the Elite and A courses, teams entering from abroad and those who have helped the event in a significant way. 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 www.lamm.co.uk, which will be updated every few weeks.

CHANGE OF PARTNER OR COURSE: Should it be necessary to make a change, please do NOT telephone us. You can make your team changes online, email, fax or write to us with this information until 8th June. After this date, inform us of changes at registration. If a team member has changed, report to the Information Desk before proceeding to registration.

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 22nd 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 less £10 which will be paid by the end of July.

LIFTS REQUIRED/OFFERED: Last year we were able to solve a number of transport 'crises' by publishing details of those offering lifts on our website. This year, if you have a particular travel problem and have been unable to find a solution you can visit the new LAMM Forum if you are either a donor or a 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 visit the new LAMM Forum at www.lamm.co.uk.

CAN YOU HELP?: If you are thinking of coming to the event but are not competing and would be able to commit yourself from Friday afternoon onwards to help with parking, registration, the starts, finishes, midcamp or on the hill, please contact MARTIN STONE as shown below no later than 1st June.

ADMINISTRATION ADDRESS: For all correspondence, EMAIL: entries@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 SI CARDS, MAPS OR JURA 97 VIDEOS? Would you like to purchase an SI Card 5 at the reduced price of £17? Maps of recent LAMMs at Loch Laggan 2001, Glen Shiel 2000, Black Mount 1999, Ardgour 98 or Jura 97 are still available. A 45-minute video of the Jura 97 LAMM is also available. Visit the LAMM Shop at www.lamm.co.uk.