OMM Venue Announced - Entries Open

The organisers of the Original Mountain Marathon have announced the venue for this year's event and opened online registration for it. They also believe that the publicity surrounding last year's storm-hit OMM means that 'applications will increase significantly'.

The 2009 race will be based 'somewhere in Wales' with the exact location to be flagged up in August to prevent over-zelaous competitors from training in the area in advance. Course and logistical planning is well underway however and the 2009 event includes free car parking on hard standing, so no more muddy fields...

First of its kind...

The OMM - originally the Karrimor International Mountain Marathon - was founded 40 years ago by Mike Parsons as a two-day mountain orienteering race with two consecutive marathons of 26 miles (42km) and a height gain of up to 8,000ft (2400m).

It was the first of its kind and calls for competitors, in teams of two, to use a combination of navigation, mountain and equipment skills. Previous participants in the event have included the likes of Chris Brasher, Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Alan Hinkes. All competitors carry a tent, sleeping bag, spare clothing, food for 36 hours and other essential equipment to be self-sufficient in the hills.

Last year's event was at the centre of a hysterical media storm when heavy rain hit the event - see photo - and caused access problems to race HQ in the valley. The organisers expect the resulting publicity to significantly increase the number of applicants for the event, so best get your entry in sooner rather than later.

Team entry fee is £95, closing date for entries is 29 July, 2009 and the start list will be published on the OMM web site on 3 August, 2009.

More details and online entry at www.theomm.com