The OMM
The biggest storm was that of the media, not the atrocious weather involved in making it. This is my account of the event, from a competitor’s point of view. OMM, KIMM and the Karrimor have been used synonymously*.
Flood forecasts, roads closed, severe weather warnings, either it’s a weekend for a repeat trip down Ireby or the ideals that give the KIMM its notarierity! Having opted for the latter, which is scheduled for the last weekend in October to ensure challenging weather to contend with, it was going to be a good one. This is no ordinary race where speed is of the essence, competing with the elements, navigation, fell craft, teamwork, comradeship are all required for success. It has been said that to finish is an achievement in itself, to enter is just absurd. After each event you say never again, time passes and you start longing for it again, asked why you do it, you can never explain, the similarities towards caving are startling!
Having entered mountain marathons before I was well conversed in what’s involved, the last being OMM 07 at last minute while in a cast with my brother Henry. So it was just a formality to enter this year’s event. A new sturdy tent was specially ordered for the event from the states, we were taking no chances! Lightweight is the key, with our packs weighing in at just 6kg each all in, a toothbrush is seen as an extravagant luxury! That’s carrying everything between the two, tent, sleeping bags, cooking kit, FOOD and most importantly for the OMM the best waterproofs.
Saturday dawned, ignoring the A591 road closed signs we made an early morning dash for Borrowdale from Kendal. Seatoller was thronged, parking was either ditch at the side of road for convenience (regretted by most afterwards) or wait to get stuck in the field. The weather was looking decidedly optimistic with it having the option to turn either way, registration and safety checks were done, and we were now ready for an event like no other. With the 800m walk to the start I was already drenched, the claxon goes for our start and I can’t look forward to navigate, this was going to be challenging. Map in hand, route to first check point decided, weather coming in along with some competitors (quitters).
The organisers had made the correct decision prior to starting that the wet weather option of 5 controls instead of 11 was the new objective. Significantly shortening the course to make the event safer, reducing options to gain advantage. With the first and second controls gained in good time; severe deterioration in weather the realisation that this was not going to be an ordinary OMM was setting in. The weather conditions being the key deciding factor in route choice as we battle on down Honister and back up to the third checkpoint. Before the drama starts of only being able to see 3m meters ahead at a time, swollen becks which are normally a trickle being raging torrents requiring 4 linked together to ford. Over Dale Head the highest and most exposed section of the course we linked arms to assist progress against the apposing weather, which was finally getting us mentally and physically. Dropping off the ridge we successfully naved straight into the penultimate checkpoint. The finish and mid camp were in sight, we were safe in the knowledge we had persevered, used all our reserves and going to come home with a good time.
The information of cancellation as we crossed over the finish line was meet with subduedness as we wanted to continue, understood without having to be told why it was cancelled and were too exhausted to do anything else. Mixed with the emotions that we had completed what would be the most notorious OMM in its history so far, they never cancel a KIMM was the usual reaction to the news! We gained shelter in the cattle barn, had some food (we had only had a mars bar each during the event) and decided to get over Honister before we became too comfortable in the barn!
If the condtions on the fell were bad, nothing would prepare us for that of Honister Buttermere side, torrential rain made the road into a river. People were being buffeted by the wind, picked up and blown over. Pleatons arrangements started to appear as teams gained solitude and assistance to counteract the efforts of the weather. Once over to the Borrowdale side, things seemed to have relatively eased and the flooding was quite evident. Wadding past the few flooded cars we were relieved to find ours to be ok and to check in with the organisers who ensured we were ok and give us hot soup.
By this time nothing I was wearing was dry, so a change into warm clothes was required. Without putting much thought into it, I opted for the best option for the conditions remembering the golden rule, its not the weather it’s the kit you use! So donning the caving furry, pvc oversuit, jacket over the top to look “respectable” and wellies I was ready for the onslaught between the van and the food tent. With the road flooded, there was no escape till morning, so food was consumed, tea drunk and an early night. The skies in the morning disguised what had been, parked near the field entrance we managed to manoeuvre the van out with cardboard and towing assistance onto washed asphalt for traction and a clear trip home. With our initial concern for mates in Keswick that might have been flooded not for the other competitors as we knew that they were fine**, so was surprised by the texts and headlines we started to receive when getting closer to civilisation. Cancelling an OMM was big; a never done thing but we hadn’t realised the ramifications till afterwards. So we drove home, cleaned sorted and dried kit ready for its next challenge…
Yes I will be entering next year – I have a score to settle, the new tent needs to be used and we want to complete in a good time and I will be hoping for bad weather***. I would recommend mountain marathons to most active mountaineers as you learn and gain a lots, although start off with the Saunders or LAMM.
* Following Karrimors withdrawal of sponsorship the event was renamed from Karrimor International to Original Mountain Marathon. Connoisseurs refer to it as the Karrimor or the KIMM still and always will do.
**All that enter the OMM carry sufficient kit for an enforced overnight on the hill and have the experience to make the correct decisions.
***By having bad weather changes the event from a fell race to more of an endurance navigational challenge, which I far more excel at.
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