Rapid Dads Triumph In This Year's KIMM

This year's Karimor International Mountain Marathon was held over the weekend of 25/26 October with competitors including Magicalia's own Jeremy Tapp.

Jeremy didn't actually win, but we thought you might like to read a little more about the fellahs that did courtesy of our mates over at KIMM.com. For full race result, pics and on the ground news from the event, check out www.kimm.org.uk

Becoming a first time father might not seem like the best training for one of Britain's hardest mountain races, the 2 day Karrimor International Mountain Marathon (KIMM), but it didn't slow down defending champions Morgan Donnelly and Steve Birkinshaw.

Last year they won the prestigious Elite title in the Cheviot hills, on a course only the fittest of the fit could hope to finish, and over the weekend of October 25/26th they returned to race in the Scottish Borders, this year as 'defending dads'. Donnelly's son Hamish was born on Sept. 26th and Steve's son James arrived on October 10th, but if they had any sleepless night with their infants it didn't show in their performance.

They successfully retained the title with a total time of 12 hours 58 minutes 31 seconds, running across a huge area of mountainous countryside near Langholm, Scotland and camping out in sub-zero temperatures overnight. The winning margin was an impressive 25 minutes, beating 9 times champion Mark Seddon, and his partner John Hunt, into second place.

"It's difficult leading," said Birkinshaw, "we'd no idea how close anyone else was and could only push on at our own pace." It was a fast enough pace to secure his 5th Elite win, but he's not thinking about challenging Seddon's record just yet. "I don't know about that" he added, "in another 5 years I'll be 40!"

Nor is he going to be back home for long as he's leaving to take part in the BBC challenge programme 'Tough Enough for the SAS?' shortly in Namibia. Donnelly will also not rest for long as he's off to the Mild Seven Outdoor Quest adventure race in Borneo. Parenthood isn't slowing this pair down!

Despite clear weather and dry underfoot conditions the 6 courses, which are tailored to all abilities, proved tougher than expected. Winning times were a little longer than expected and the 'A' and 'B' courses were shortened on Sunday to allow competitors more chance to complete the race. Even then retirement rates were around 50% in those two classes.

Despite, or perhaps because, of it's reputation as the toughest mountain marathon the KIMM attracts walkers, runners, orienteers and climbers from all over the UK, and from abroad. Such is the reputation of the race International teams from Spain, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Poland, France, Switzerland, Belgium, and even Holland travelled to Dumfries and Galloway to take part. To quote Robert Pollhammer of Munich, "This is not the usual media event it's an event for the competitors. However had I known it was this hard I would have done Everest first"!

KIMM event UK 30/31 October entries open early March.

EURO KIMM France; Sept 4/5th Location Super Devoluy, 80km south of Grenoble.

Under planning are the possibilities for;

Arctic KIMM Sweden, sometime early in July 2004, and in principle to be located north of the polar circle on an annual basis anywhere between Iceland and Russia.

There are possibilities of a SWISS KIMM in August and of an international series emerging.

More info will be announced on the KIMM web site.

The KIMM was founded in 1968 and is the forerunner of all adventure racing. The formula remains a 2-day Mountain Marathon where a team of two navigate their way around a 2-day course, in mountainous terrain, in a new location each year, carrying all food stove tent and equipment for an overnight camp.

The event is split into 7 categories, Elite, A, B, C and 3 score classes, Long 7+ 6 hours, medium 6+ 5 and short 5+ 4.The Elite distance varies between 75-85km (effectively 2 consecutive marathons) according to the terrain/year and height gain can be up to 3,000m. The score class is a points-based competition within the stated time limits which gives more challenging navigation.

There is no support and GPS and mobile phones are not allowed. The map and course are unseen until the whistle blows. Any team not arriving into camp on Saturday evening is deemed to have camped overnight en route or have made their own way to safety. The UK event is always held at the end of October to allow weather to enhance the challenge.

"In this world of hyper communications and total support the KIMM event is an oasis populated by tough self-reliant people". Mike Parsons.