Original Mountain Marathon A Success

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.