David Currie

Nopesport is advertising a new UK mountain marathon. The Highlander will be at the end of March next year up near Inverness. Should prove to be a stunning setting as there must be a strong likelihood of snow on the tops (which the courses won’t visit).

212We had an uneventful flight up to the OMM and were only delayed briefly at Prestwick airport whilst Alamo tried to find the keys for a car (we said we didn’t mind if it wasn’t clean!). It was still well and truly dark when we arrived at a caravan on the outskirts of Newton Stewart. From there it was a short drive to the event centre to register and indulge in some last minute shopping.

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This afternoon I’m flying up to Prestwick for the all new Original Mountain Marathon (previously the KIMM), set to take place in Galloway Forest Park over the weekend. In a repeat of two years ago I’m running the B class with fellow Tuesday night runner Neil (whose Aussie passport also helps guarantee us an entry). Back in the Brecons Neil was the one struggling but, whilst I’ve become less fit over the intervening years, Neil has only got faster so we’ll see who’s trailing behind this time. The weather forecast doesn’t look too bad at the moment in terms of wind, rain and temperature although lack of visibility may make navigation interesting. The previous week’s rain is likely to make the legendary terrain even boggier and stream crossings fun. Full report when I get back on Monday but you can watch the action unfold on SleepMonsters in the meantime.

Yesterday evening was the last Tuesday night run of the year in the New Forest as the clocks go back at the weekend. As has become traditional in the last few years, we had a torch lit run from Fritham. Top marks for innovation go to Martin who, being more on an ironman than an orienteer, didn’t have a suitable head torch and, instead, he had gaffer taped a bike light to his chin! Sadly the sweat took its toll and the light came detached two-thirds of the way round so I don’t have the photographic evidence to show off this feat of ingenuity. Martin also had to confess that it did make breathing slightly harder than usual!