Marmot Dark Mountains™ 2017 Open for Registration

Posted on March 14, 2016 by talkultra

©iancorless.com_MDM2015-8660

Marmot Dark Mountains™ 2016 saw an unprecedented 200 competitors take to the Northern Fells of the Lake District, starting from the event centre in Mungrisedale, in what can only be described as windy and wintery conditions. As Andrew Higgins (competing on the Elite course with Adam Stirk) put it:

“…one of the best challenges of sound mountain judgement, endurance and skill that I have ever had the pleasure of competing in. By retiring with windburned eyes after 8.5hrs of pretty full on fun – I think Adam and I passed the test, despite not completing the challenge. We will be back…”.

©iancorless.com_MDM2015-0669

Marmot Dark Mountains™ follows the usual two-day mountain marathon format but condenses it into one winter’s night. Elite, A, B, C and Score categories set off in pairs on a staggered start, the longer courses followed by the shorter ones, all hoping to converge back at the event centre as dawn breaks. Live GPS tracking enables the organisers, alongside friends, family, and any other keen followers, to track the progress of the competitors through the night.

On the back of a sell out 2016 event, entries have just opened for the fifth edition of Marmot Dark Mountains™, the world’s only overnight winter mountain marathon, which will take place on 28-29^th January 2017.

Race Director Shane Ohly said:

“There are very few events that are as demanding as Marmot Dark Mountains™ and require such an all-round skill set from the competitors. When I started the event in 2013 I had no idea how many mountain runners would step up to the challenge and it has been a delight to see the event grow year on year. I can’t wait for 2017 and to reveal the brilliant area we have lined up”.

Marmot have been the title sponsor of the event from day one, and UK Sales Director Hugh Harris added:

“We’ve been on board with this event right from the start in 2013, and we couldn’t be happier with how it’s grown over that time. Very demanding events like Marmot Dark Mountains™ are perfect for us to showcase our brand and we look forward to supporting it again in 2017”.

Janet Hill, who was competing with John Williams on the Short Score course got in touch to say, “First of all I would like to say how much I enjoyed this event, and I am in awe about the amount of time and effort it must take to put on an event like this. The snow, strong winds, river crossings and darkness made this a challenging but exhilarating event… …Thanks again for a great weekend. I hope to be there in 2017”.

©iancorless.com_MDM2015-0454

Marmot Dark Mountains™ has something for everyone; the Elite course to challenge the most seasoned of competitor through to the C and short score courses which would be suitable for a first timer.

We look forward to revealing the location of the 2017 event on Monday 5^th December 2016, and welcoming both new and old competitors to another superb race area.

Key Event Information

Website: www.marmot-dark-mountains.com

Date: Weekend 28th 29th January 2017

Venue: Final venue disclosed December 2016.

Courses: Elite, A, B, C, Long Score and Short Score

Entry Fee: From £55.00

Image ©iancorless.com – Marmot Dark Mountains

Berghaus Trail Chase 2015 Day 2 – Race Images and Summary

Posted on August 10, 2015 by talkultra

Overnight camp had been a relaxed and casual affair as the heat of day 1 subsided to leave a calm night. Beer and cider flowed in the village hall, Joey (Joey’s Coffee) had his coffee machine in full flow and a duo of folk artists provided a mellow soundtrack as runners rested, re-hydrated (sort of) and re-loaded energy stores for day 2 of the Berghaus Trail Chase.

Starting as on day 1, runners had 3 courses to run (black, red or blue) to head back to base camp and race start (from Saturday) in Osmotherley. It was a shorter day for all but with some added pressure! Yes, the CHASE was on.

Starting in finishing order, runners were released with time gaps respected and as such if you ‘CATCH’ the runner infrontt of you, you have gained a place!

It’s a great idea and one that adds some real buzz and adrenaline to events. Leading lady in the blue category Niandi Carmont post race said:

“I didn’t think I was that competitive but I was caught by 2nd and 3rd ladies on an early climb in the blue race and then I waited, paced myself off the 2 of them and then ran as hard as I could to go past them and then hold them off. It was so exciting but also so stressful; in a good way! I am just glad today was 14km in length. I loved it.”

This sentiment was echoed by another runner as the sun greeted everyone back at the finish.

“I normally don’t push myself when I race but this format really added a different angle to racing and it’s so inspiring. I had visions I was in a Tour de France time trial.”

For once, the UK provided a perfect weekend of sunny warm weather, the only blip came during the night when a few light showers came. However, they were welcome. It broke the humidity of day 1 and although day 2 was sunny and warm it lacked the oppression of day 1 that caused so many runners to suffer.

The North Yorkshire Moors were resplendent with shades of green and vibrant lavender providing a natural palette that added to colourful racing.

Results

BLACK

Simon Jones
Charmaine Horsfall

BLUE

William Normand
Niandi Carmont

RED

Chris Stockdale
Catriona Curtis

Full results and times:

Full results are available HERE

Marmot Dark Mountains 2015 – Provisional results and Images

Posted on January 25, 2015 by talkultra

The heavens opened the day before the Marmot Dark Mountains and the promise of a snowy course disappeared with each rain drop.

In many respects it was a shame. Many, including me, was excited by the prospect of a night time race with cold chilly temperatures, a clear sky and a layer of the white stuff. However, it was not to be!

More importantly, the 2015 Marmot Dark Mountains took place with no rain… yes, no rain! Conditions were less than perfect though. The ground was sodden with the previous days torrential rain and melted snow and although the evening started relatively calm the wind increased hour-by-hour and by the early hours of the morning, the wind and wind chill was having an impact on everyone.

Taking place in the Howgills, runners started to race at 1900-hours with elite duo Alex Pilkington and Tim Higginbottom first off! Kim Collison and Adam Perry departed at1940-hours and it was immediately apparent that they were on a mission!. Completing the top trio, Steve Birkinshaw partnered with Jim Mann and they departed at 2000-hours chasing the other runners down.

What followed was a masterclass of navigation and speedy running from Collison and Perry. They blazed a trail around the Howgills and the ‘projected’ best case scenario finish time of 11-hours was blown out the fells when the finish line dibber confirmed a time of 8-hours and 34-minutes. Quite incredible.

Higginbottom and Pilkington had had some problems early on finding a control. Equally, Birkinshaw and Mann had also had a problem. However, Birkinshaw said after the race that his form was just not up to running at the required pace. Hardly surprising after his Wainwrights record.

There were four linear courses that follow the standard Elite, A, B and C format of ordinary mountain marathons and two score format courses. Feedback post race was excellent and a dry night on the fells was extremely welcome.

Results below are provisional and will be confirmed by Ourea Events asap.

Elite

1st Kim Collison / Adam Perry 08:34:54

2nd Steve Birkinshaw / Jim Mann 10:41:46

1st and 1st Mix Catherine Litherland / Ross Litherland 09:49:54

2nd Andy Thompson / Rob Brown 10:10:35

3rd Chris Baynham-Hughes / Max Wainwright 10:51:05

1st Women and 4th Steph Jones / Sally Ozanne 11:26:51

1st and 1st Vet Bryan Stadden / Andy Creber 09:15:33

2nd and 2nd Vet Tim Martland / Jim Allen 09:51.35

3rd Jamie Rennie / David Rennie 10:02:02

1st Greg Weatherhead / Kevin Drew 07:55:21

2nd James Parratt / Neil Garrido 09:21:14

3rd and 1st Mix Emma Van Der Gucht / James Pawson 09:34:30

Long Score

1st David Adcock / Ben Turner 404 in 10:00:33

2nd and 1st Mix Digby Harris / Kirsty Hewitson 295 in 09:55:28

3rd and 1st Female Jo Gillyon / Catherine Evans

4th and 1st Vet Simon Caldwell / Carmen Elphick

Short Score

1st, 1st Mix, 1st Vet Jonathan Aylward / Kate Boobyer 235 in 07:38:37

2nd and 2nd Mix Scott Collier / Anne Edwards 235 in 07:42:15

3rd Darryl Watton and Andy Bell

The Howgill Fells are hills in Northern England between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. The fells are bounded by the River Lune to the north by upper reaches of the River Lune and to the east by the River Rawthey. The Howgill Fells include two Marilyns: The Calf – 2,218 ft (676 m) and Yarlside – 2,096 ft (639 m) and a number of smaller peaks, including five Hewitts. Parts of the southern Howgill Fells lie within the Yorkshire Dales National Park, though they have been within the modern county of Cumbria since the county boundary changes in 1974. They were originally shared by the West Riding of Yorkshire and Westmorland. The name Howgill derives from the Old Norse word haugr meaning a hill or barrow, plus gil meaning a narrow valley. – wikepedia

Marmot Dark Mountains™ Howgills 2015 – Race Preview

Posted on January 19, 2015 by talkultra

Marmot Dark Mountains™ is the only overnight winter mountain marathon and the 3rd edition of the race will take place on Saturday 24th January in the Howgills.

The Howgill Fells are hills in Northern England between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. The fells are bounded by the River Lune to the north by upper reaches of the River Lune and to the east by the River Rawthey. The Howgill Fells include two Marilyns: The Calf – 2,218 ft (676 m) and Yarlside – 2,096 ft (639 m) and a number of smaller peaks, including five Hewitts. Parts of the southern Howgill Fells lie within the Yorkshire Dales National Park, though they have been within the modern county of Cumbria since the county boundary changes in 1974. They were originally shared by the West Riding of Yorkshire and Westmorland. The name Howgill derives from the Old Norse word haugr meaning a hill or barrow, plus gil meaning a narrow valley. – wikepedia

This year’s elite course is a tough one, with a potential 3000m of elevation gain and an optimum distance of 53km. Famous for their steep rounded hills, the Howgills will be a tough challenge. Having viewed weather forecasts the organisers have issued a stern warning to all the competitors about the challenging nature of the terrain and event.

Needless to say, mandatory kit will be checked prior to the event.

Marmot Dark Mountains™ is a true test of mountain craft for experienced mountain runners. Challenging terrain, night navigation and a wintery environment will test each runner over the variety of courses available: Elite, A, B, C, Short Score and Long Score.

“Marmot Dark Mountains™ takes the classic two-day mountain marathon format and gives it a new… darker twist.” said Race Director, Shane Ohly. “Rather than two days of running with an overnight camp in between, Marmot Dark Mountains™ packs everything into one winter’s night!”

Three of the UK’s leading teams are of particular interest in the 2015 event: Steve Birkinshaw and Jim Mann, Chris Near and Tim Higginbottom and Kim Collison and Adam Perry.

Kim Collison at Mourne Skyline MTR

Runners will start to race at 1900-hours and Chris Near and Tim Higginbottom will be first off! The dynamic duo have won practically every elite mountain marathon and they have held various long distance mountain running records. In 2014, Near and Higginbottom missed the race due to last minute illness, they will be looking for victory in 2015.

Steve Birkinshaw needs no introduction. His incredible Wainwrights record in 2014 was a highlight of the year for many a trail, mountain, fell and ultra runner. Steve’s partnership with Jim Mann is fitting as Mann holds the record for the winter Bob Graham Round. Birkinshaw won the 2014 event when partnered with Tom Gibbs, so the pressure will be on! Birkinshaw and Mann start at 2000-hours chasing the other runners down.

Kim Collison and Adam Perry will be a tough pair to beat and setting off at 1940-hours. Collison won the first Marmot Dark Mountains in 2013 (running with Alex Pilkington) and finished the 98km Fellsman with Perry in first place last year. The duo are evenly matched and are considered favourites by many!

Offering a range courses to suit a range of abilities, every year there has been a small but steady increase in the number of participants.

“The event kicks-off on the Saturday evening with the longest classes setting off first for dusk-to-dawn racing. The shorter classes will set off later in the evening with the aim of most competitors finishing within an hour or so of each other the following Sunday morning. This makes for an exciting finale as all the courses and most of the competitors converge on the finish as dawn breaks.”

There are four linear courses that follow the standard Elite, A, B and C format of ordinary mountain marathons and two score format courses.

This year there will be two manned checkpoints in the Howgills that competitors on the various courses may visit and the organisers intend to post updates to the event website as the night of racing unfolds.

Follow the race at Ourea Events HERE

Marmot Dark Mountains HERE

Marmot Dark Mountains 2015

Posted on December 15, 2014 by talkultra

The organisers of the formidable Marmot Dark Mountains™ have just announced that the 2015 event will take place in the Howgills on the night of 24th & 25th January 2015.

Marmot Dark Mountains™ takes the classic two-day mountain marathon format and gives it a new… darker twist. Rather than two days of running with an overnight camp in between, Marmot Dark Mountains™ packs everything into one winter’s night!

©iancorless.com.©iancorless.com.P1100372

The event kicks-off on the Saturday evening with the longest classes setting off first for dusk-to-dawn racing. The shorter classes set off later in the evening with the aim of most competitors finishing within an hour or so of each other the following Sunday morning. This makes for an exciting finale as all the courses and most of the competitors converge on the finish as dawn breaks.

©iancorless.com.©iancorless.com.P1100383

Race Director, Shane Ohly from Ourea Events describes the 2015 event area, “The Howgills provide a superb setting for Marmot Dark Mountains™. The terrain is definitely more runable than previous editions of the race but with the steep sided valleys that are typical, there is significant height gain, and the course are sure to provide a suitable test of endurance.” He continued, “The Howgills also seem to catch more than their fair share of winter weather and we are anticipating a tough challenge for those competitors brave enough to enter.”

©iancorless.com.©iancorless.com.P1100464

Marmot Dark Mountains™ has a growing reputation as the test of competence for experienced mountain runners. Ordinarily a standard mountain marathon with its combination of mountain running and navigation at its heart is a sufficient challenge but Marmot Dark Mountains™ takes it a step further by packing two days of running into one long winters night with dusk-to-dawn racing.

Marmot Dark Mountains™ 2013 was held in the southwest fells of the Lake District National Park. That year the event experience extremely poor weather and the completion rate for the linear courses averaged just 21%. In 2014 the event moved to the Peak District National Park and with better weather the completion rate rose to 53%. Still, these are low completion rates considering that competitors are vetted for experience before their entry is accepted.

With the announcement of the venue, the organisers have also released details of the routes, which have been planned by Charlie Sproson who is a regular Race Planner for Ourea Events. These are:

Elite Course: 53.1km / 2,966m
A Course: 42.3km / 2,415m
B Course: 35.8km / 2,311m
C Course: 33.9km / 1,770m
Long Score: 10 Hours
Short Score: 8 hours

Working in collaboration with Harvey Maps at the 2014 Marmot Dark Mountains™ bespoke ‘high contrast’ maps were produced for the first time. These were designed to show contours more clearly in the dark and when the map is illuminated by high-powered headtorches. These were a great success and the 2015 event will also feature these special night maps.

Race Director, Shane Ohly elaborated, “For an event that is focused on mountain navigation and running, we understand completely that the quality of the map is directly linked to the quality of the overall experience and as such, we invest significant time and energy into the map. As in previous years we will be using waterproof and tearproof paper and our special night-nav high contrast printing developed with Harvey Maps. Whilst checking control sites both Charlie Sproson and I have been recording new paths, fences etc with GPS and combined with Harvey’s updating their base data from a new photogrammetry survey data, we are confident that we will provide a high quality and accurate map for the competitors.”

With the support of sponsorship from Marmot® and Petzl® there is a £500 cash prize for the winning elite team. In 2014 Steve Birkinshaw and Tom Gibbs won and Alex Pilkington and Kim Collison won in 2013.

Key Event Information
Website: www.Marmot-Dark-Mountains.com
Date: 24th & 25th January 2015
Venue: Howgills, Northern England
Entry: from £50 per person
Courses: Elite, A, B, C, Short and Long Score

Episode 67 – Martin-Consani, Fonn, Meek, Böttger

Posted on August 8, 2014 by talkultra

Episode 67 of Talk Ultra – On this weeks show we speak with Lakeland 100 and Lakeland 50 winners, Debbie Martin Conasani and Jo Meek. We speak with Norwegian powerhouse, Torill Fonn about her recent world record for running 374.999km’s in 48-hours. Julia Böttger joins us for a catch up and tells us about her running journey in Turkey and winning Ronda dels Cims. We have the News, a Blog, Up & Coming Races, Emelie Forsberg for Smile and Miles and Niandi Carmont once again joins us as co host.

NEWS

Marmot 24

24-Hour
Aurellio Antonio Olivar/ Angel Garcia – 390 points
Kenny Leitch/ Keith Masson – 380 points
Anthony Emmet/ Catriona Sutherland – 280 points
12-Hour
Sam Jenner/ James Langstraat – 100 points
Tarni Duhre/ Andrew Campbell – 90 points
Alice Lamont/ Andrew Jones – 60 points
Lakeland 100 – race report and images HERE

Marco Consani 21:14:52
Charlie Sharpe 22:47:56
Lee Knight 23:21:48
Debbie Martin Consani 25:28:33
Beth Pascall 25:48:36
Nicky Taylor 29:37:08
INTERVIEW

Debbie Martin Consani won the Lakeland 100 in convincing style just recently and we caught up with er to hear about her running history and how the Lakeland 100 went.

Lakeland 50 – British Championships

Kim Collison 7:48:01
Marcus Scotney 8:06:42
Danny Kendall 8:13:39
Jo Meek 8:43:14
Lizzie Wraith 9:18:22
Bonnie Van Wilgenberg 9:31:05

INTERVIEW with Jo Meek

Red BUll K3
3030 meters of elevation gain in a little less than 10 km: Red Bull K3 is the event that will revolutionize skyrunning. The first competition of “triple vertical kilometer” will start from Susa (Turin) on the 2nd of August, when professional athletes and amateurs will have to face the ascent to the summit of Rocciamelone, at 3538 meters high.
Marco Moletto 2:06:30
Marti Teixido 2:07:18
Nejc Kuhar 2:08:12
Laura Orgue 2:22:38
Stevie Kremer 2:29:44
Corinne Favre 2:39:27

Buff Epic Trail 100km *only 17 finishers of the main race
Iker Karrera 12:19:16
Jessed Hernandez Gispert 12:43:53
Pau Bartolo Roca 13:28:23
Nuria Picas 15:00:29 (6th overall)
Francesca Canepa 16:18:45
Marta Riba 17:31:32
Devil O the Highlands
Casey Morgan 5:13:42
Robert Turner 6:00:03
Neil MacNicol 6:02:25
Nicola Hendry 7:09:58
Noanie Heffron 7:12:56
Helen Lees 7:14:07
Mention for Karen Wallace 8:03:35 1st vet
Swiss Alpine K78

Jonas Buud 6:30:18
Beat Ritter 6:38:51
Mirco Berner 6:53:39
Denise Zimmermann 7:47:57
Claudia Kahl 8:12:50
Ornella Poltera 8:33:38
Peak SkyRace race report and images HERE
Jason Cavill 4:22:52
James Ellis 4:26:54
Tim Pleijte 4:36:54
Sally Fawcett 5:24:54
Kimberley England 5:38:13
Sasha Habgood 6:26:44
Interviews live from the event by Niandi Carmont

BLOG

‘When I ski on a steep slope, or when I solo climb (or more scrambling, I can not consider a V+ is climbing seeing what people is doing today!), or running on a glacier, I don’t do because I want to die. I have not suicidal impulses on myself. I want to be alive, I want to explore and my goal on the mountains is to find happiness, answers to my questions, improve, learn, meet new friends, see, discover, mostly, on a world that is more and more structured and looked, to feel freedom.” Kilian Jornet http://www.kilianjornet.cat/en/blog/are-mountains-the-last-space-of-freedom/

INTERVIEW

Torill Fonn from sweden (born norwegeian) last weekeend set a new nordic record in 48h running and a new world record for ladies over 45 when she ran 374 999 km at the Skovde Ultrafestival in Sweden.

SMILES and MILES with EMELIE FORSBERG

INTERVIEW – Julia Boettger

UP & COMING RACES

Iceland
Fire and Ice | 250 kilometers | August 10, 2014 | website

Norway
Scandinavian Adventure Run | 50 kilometers | August 19, 2014 | website

Zambia
MOSI-OA-TUNYA TRAIL | 85 kilometers | August 11, 2014 | website

CLOSE

LINKS

http://traffic.libsyn.com/talkultra/Episode_67_-_Martin-Consani_Fonn_Meek_Bottger.mp3

ITunes http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/talk-ultra/id497318073
Libsyn – feed://talkultra.libsyn.com/rss
Website – talkultra.com

Marmot24 2014 – Race Images and Summary

Posted on August 4, 2014 by talkultra

Full image gallery available HERE

The inaugural Marmot24 took place over the weekend of August 2nd and 3rd. The UK’s first 24-hour mountain marathon. What an epic race it turned out to be!

The tough and challenging Lakeland terrain tested each and every participant to the limit. Using a score format (all controls had the same points) participants had the potential to visit and accumulate points from 54-controls spread over an area of 300 square km’s. Needless to say, the potential for any 2-man (or woman or mixed) team to gain a 100% score was almost impossible. However, several teams excelled in the tough conditions.

50-teams took on the challenge of the 24, 12 or 6-hour format with respective start times of midday Saturday the 2nd August, midnight 2nd August or 0600 3rd August. It was ironic that after weeks, no months, of the most perfect UK weather, the change came on the morning of the race and conditions for all events were ‘challenging.’

24-hour competitors registered at 0900 and therefore had several hours of prep time before the midday start.

It was needed! With 54-controls and such a potentially large area to cover, this race was always not only going to be about fitness but also about navigation.

Race HQ was just off the A66 between Penrith and Kendal and this therefore offered race director, Shane Ohly (Ourea Events) and Charlie Sproson (Course Planner) the opportunity to go north and south of the A66 and use the HQ as a hub for both directions.

Route planning was so varied; some teams would start south, others in the north. Clockwise or anti-clockwise. The route options were endless and thus tracking and following of the event was very much a lottery.

One consensus for many appeared to be the potential to spend 10-12 hours on the fells, call in the HQ for food, maybe some sleep and a change of clothes and then head back out. Most teams took this option and at the finish, the only teams not to use this strategy ended up taking the 1st and 2nd places.

At the stroke of midday, runners departed to the fells and dispersed like ants being chased.

Rain had been falling for hours and continued at varying strengths for the duration of the event. In the evening a wonderful dry patch of weather arrived and showed the Lakes in all it’s glory… many runners said post race that it was worth being wet for so long for the display that the heavens provided that evening.

Teams had travelled from all over the UK, France and Spain to participate in this new and ground breaking event. Post race, they all concurred that the terrain and the difficult conditions had provided them all with an ultimate test. Bogs, marshes, bracken and ferns were a new experience to the ‘Europeans’ and it was clear to see the impact. Top Spanish competitor, Mònica Aguilera post race discussed her frustration about the terrain and how difficult it was at times. ‘It was so hard, so difficult and so slow,’ she said, ‘local knowledge would certainly have been a help; on the map we thought this section (south west corner of the course) would be fast and runnable. However, it was very tough and very slow… it took us hours.’

Mònica Aguilera heading north with her teammate, Marc Raflos.

Ultimately, local knowledge did prove a great help for Kenny Leitch and Keith Masson, they accumulated an impressive 380-controls but did not take top honours! Proving that local knowledge and great navigation (along with excellent fitness) is the key to a successful race, the Spanish team of Aurelio Antonio Oilvar and Angel Garcia topped the podium with 39-controls. This score was considered by all competitors and staff as quite remarkable under the tough and extreme conditions.

In addition to the main event of 24-hours, a 12-hour and 6-hour option was provided. Certainly, starting at midnight (for the 12-hour) and heading off into the cold, dark and very wet night would not be a challenge that many would embrace. However, each and every runner looked excited at the prospect.

From midnight the weather slowly became worse and all runners had to endure prolonged downpours and on the tops, strong winds. Adding navigation to the mix did make the whole experience a tough challenge.

Sam Jenner and James Langstraat topped the 12-hour podium with 10-controls beating Tarni Duhre and Andrew Campbell into 2nd by just 1-control.

As participants recovered with a bowl of hot chilli post race, one thing became apparent; he combination of tough Lakeland terrain, variable weather and 54-contols set the Marmot24 apart from other events and it’s a format that was welcomed. Roll on 2015!

Results:

24-Hour

Aurellio Antonio Olivar/ Angel Garcia – 390 points
Kenny Leitch/ Keith Masson – 380 points
Anthony Emmet/ Catriona Sutherland – 280 points

12-Hour

Sam Jenner/ James Langstraat – 100 points
Tarni Duhre/ Andrew Campbell – 90 points
Alice Lamont/ Andrew Jones – 60 points

6-Hour

Katir Francis/ Duncan Hedges

Links:

MARMOT24 WEBSITE HERE

RACE PHOTOGRAPHY HERE

Marmot24™ and Marmot Dark Mountains™ get Petzl sponsorship

Posted on July 22, 2014 by talkultra

Lyon Equipment, the distributors of Petzl in the UK and Ireland, has today announced a wide-ranging new sponsorship deal with Ourea Events. The agreement will see Petzl, the Worlds leading headlamp brand, becoming an event partner for both Marmot24™ and Marmot Dark Mountains™.

Both races involve lots of nocturnal action and Petzl, with it highly innovative headlamp range, makes a logical partner for these events. Marmot24™ consists of 24-hours non-stop mountain marathon racing and the inaugural race takes place at the beginning of August in the Lake District. Marmot Dark Mountains™ is firmly established as one of the most serious and challenging mountain races in the UK, with dusk to dawn racing in January each year. Both events require competitors to navigate, race and remain safe in the mountains at night.

In addition to become an event partner for these two prestigious races, Petzl will also become a supporting sponsor for the Dragon’s Back Race™, Berghaus Trail Chase™, Great Lakeland 3Day™, Cape Wrath Ultra™ and the Rab Mountain Marathon™. This wide ranging new sponsorship will strongly associated Petzl with many of the leading mountain running events in the UK for the next three years.

Shane Ohly, Managing Director of Ourea Events said, “Petzl products are superb and their headlamps are a natural companions to our events, which often challenge product and people in equal measure!”

He continued, “I fondly remember my first Petzl Zoom headtorch in the early 1990’s and don’t think I have been without a Petzl headtorch of some kind since then. With such a wide and innovative range of headlamps there is definitely an appropriate Petzl product for all our competitors at all our different events”. I am looking forward to working with Lyon Equipment and Petzl”.

Martin Bergerud, Brand Manager for Petzl at Lyon Equipment added, “We are genuinely excited to be linked to and working with Ourea Events as Event Partners on the Marmot 24 and Marmot Dark Mountain Marathon and as supporting sponsors to all their other current and future iconic events that they organise. They deliver eye exciting yet challenging events where having dependable and practical product designed for the task are key, an ideal playground for Petzl”.

For more than 30 years Petzl has led the way in as an innovator in the research, design and manufacture of quality headlamps. From humble beginnings, when Fernand Petzl fashioned the first helmet-mounted light for caving, headlamps were refined over time, until he created the ‘Zoom’ model, which, with its rotating bezel as a switch and focus adjuster, became a seminal outdoor product well into the 21st century. At the same time, international praise grew for all of Petzl’s climbing and mountaineering equipment.

Petzl now provides a comprehensive range of hands-free lighting for many outdoor activities from alpinism to fishing and night-running to canyoning. Utilising the very best LED and battery technology you can choose from the iconic TIKKA range the proven MYO RXP, illuminate a tree from 120 with the ULTRA, have the security of the back up of an E+LITE in your rucksack or delve into the future with the latest REACTIVE LIGHTING featured torches such as the TIKKA R+ and the revolutionary NAO.

For further Information about:

Ourea Events, visit www.OureaEvents.com or contact Shane Ohly on 07771516962 or ShaneOhly@OureaEvents.com

Petzl and Lyon Equipment, visit www.lyon.co.uk/outdoor/ or contact Martin Bergerud on 015396 26338 ormartinb@lyon.co.uk

Please note – Press release provided by Ourea Events

MARMOT24™ – LOCATION ANNOUNCED

Posted on June 3, 2014 by talkultra

The organisers of the UK’s first 24-hour nonstop mountain marathon, Marmot24™, have just announced that the inaugural event will be held in the Lake District National Park this August.

Marmot24™ combines the very best elements of the predominantly British mountain marathon phenomenon with aspects of the more international 24-hour rogaining events. With mountain running and navigation at the heart of the event, competitors will have 24, 12 or 6-hours to visit as many checkpoints as possible on a score format course.

Race Director, Shane Ohly described the competition area to us. “From our central Event Centre the competition area spans 360 degrees in all directions and includes approximately 300 square kilometers of the finest mountain running terrain in the UK. It is Perfect for a 24-hour non-stop mountain marathon and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone to the event weekend 2nd/3rd August”.

He continued, “To the north of the Event Centre are the remote Northern Fells guarded by the imposing flanks of Blencathra. To the south, Clough Head marks the start of the Dodd’s ridge running towards Helvellyn and ultimately Ambleside. There are also interesting yet rarely visited fells to the east and west. The terrain is perfect for a mountain marathon with laser fast ridges and valleys linking remote and trackless areas that contain complex contour features.”

As many regular visitors to the Lake District will know this vast competition area includes about every topographical feature you could possibly imagine, and the experienced planning team of Charlie Sproson and Shane Ohly, will no doubt be conjuring up another excellent event after the highly successful Great Lakeland 3Day™ earlier this year.

The 24-hour race starts at noon Saturday but if that sounds too daunting, then there is a 12-hour race starting at midnight Saturday and a 6-hour race starting at 0600 on the Sunday morning. Everyone will finish at 12 noon on the Sunday in what promises to be an exciting and dramatic finale to a memorable weekend of racing.

Over 100 competitors have now entered Marmot24™ including a large number of elite Spanish runners that includes Aurelio Antonio Olivar, the 2013 European Rogaine Champion.

If you enter Marmot24™ now you can get a free Marmot Compact Hauler (worth £22) for each person.

Key Event Information
Website: http://www.Marmot24.com
Date: 2nd & 3rd August 2014
Venue: Northern England
Entry: from £55
Courses: 24-hour, 12-hour and 6-hour

Marmot Dark Mountains 2014 Results & Images

Posted on January 27, 2014 by talkultra

The 2014 Marmot Dark Mountains was a resounding success and in contrast to the 2013 event, weather conditions were extremely kind on all entrants… well, at least all those who finished before 7am.

As predicted, the weather took a very serious turn for the worse as dawn arrived with increasing winds and torrential rain. It really did turn into a tough test for the final 20 or so teams who were still out on the course. However, a warm leisure centre awaited and a breakfast fit for a king.

Shane Ohly and the Ourea Events Team really did put on a great event with excellent support. Nothing was left to chance. As we all know, an event of this nature is not for the inexperienced.

A night in the Peak District with only a map, head torch and all essential equipment (as required for safety) plus your running partner for company is a test you either embrace or shy away from.

Departing from Glossop at timed intervals starting at 1900hrs on Saturday, competitors ventured out into the dark. Maps were checked, bearings taken and then a plan was formulated. Experience really showed in the first 5-minutes of the race. Some runners required several minutes of map checking before departing whereas experienced runners like eventual elite category winners, Steve Birkinshaw and Tom Gibbs received a map and immediately ran whilst taking bearings and making navigation decisions whilst covering ground.

Conditions during the night on the whole were extremely favourable. It was dry and temperatures, particularly if running, were mild. Of course the wind did blow on the tops and occasionally mist and fog would move in and out making navigation difficult. A couple of teams did struggle with this and were forced to retire.

The ground was very wet from months of rain and certain sections of the Peak District had been blocked off to ensure safety.

Headlights appeared all over the mountains as different teams navigated different routes to maximise time. One thing remained a constant; as I encountered runners on the course, a smile and welcome greeting was always returned.

A midpoint checkpoint proved to be a great central hub to see runners depart and arrive. A glowing Marmot tent providing protection for the marshall team and of course providing an additional safety shelter should runners need it.

As the event unfolded, pre race favourites in the elite race, Steve Birkinshaw/ Tom Gibb took a very early lead and never really looked back. Bruce Duncan/ Lucy Harris pushed them close in the early stages but as the race progressed the gap opened.

Over the other categories:

Catherine and Ross Litherland took a convincing victory in the A category in 11:30:01

Matt Harris and James Stokes won the B category by around 18-mins in 12:43:34

Louis and Bertie Goffe won the C category by over 30-mins in 6:37:02

Ben Stansfield and Pat Bartlett won the Long Score with 345 points in 9:44:47

Joe Gillyon and Catherine Evans won the Short Score with 185 points in 7:37:24

Full results available HERE

The 2014 Marmot Dark Mountains was without doubt a great success. Marmot and SilvaUK added to the whole experience and without doubt a huge thanks was passed on to all the marshals who ensured safety for all throughout the night.