A quick kick in the awareness glands over the 2006 Original
Mountain Marathon - formerly the Karrimor International Mountain
Marathon - which took place at the end of October.
Remarkably
the 2006 event at Galloway in Scotland, was the 39th of its kind, but
the first with the new name. The rebranding took place after the
upheavals at Karrimor last year and extends to the associated
lightweight gear company, previously KIMM, now the Original Mountain
Marathon Company.
The driving force behind OMM and its range of innovative
lightweight equipment and clothing remains the extraordinary Mike
Parson, who founded the original KIMM when with Karrimor and has
never looked back. The sponsors, however, are now Vango.
The 2006 event was by all accounts another massive success with
over 3000 entrants streaming across the Galloway hills on the weekend
of 28/29 October. It also incorporated a celebration of The
Originals some 30 competitors who've taken part in 20 or more
events and were presented with a special commemorative fleece.
The event's fantastically inclusive as well, with no fewer than
seven classes to cater for a wide spread of abilities from elite
athletes like winners, brothers Ifor and Al Powell right through to
weekend dabblers who tackle a shorter, less challenging course.
You can find a full race report and pictures on the Sleepmonsters
web site. Plus more information both about the event and
OMM's range of lightweight kit at www.theomm.com.
