Rab Mountain Marathon 2014 Preview

Posted on September 24, 2014 by talkultra

The 8th Rab Mountain Marathon™ will be held on the 27th and 28th September 2014. The Rab Mountain Marathon™ is a two-day fell running and navigation challenge for solos and pairs with an overnight camp.

The Rab Mountain Marathon kicks off this weekend at 0830. Two days of navigation and running will unfold in the English Lakes using the popular score format.

Now in it’s 8^th year, the Rab Mountain Marathon has become an iconic race that has visited many stunning locations, the Cheviot Hills, Derwent Fells, Snowdonia, Howgills and this year it once again returns to the English Lakes.

Taking on challenging mountain terrain, participants need to be competent and confident at moving fast over tough terrain. As usual, the is the UK and runners will need to be prepared for the worst despite a recent spell of really good weather in the UK.

As one would expect, the Rab Mountain Marathon will take place over rough, steep and technical mountain terrain. Many sections of the course will be isolated and if bad weather comes in, everyone needs to be prepared.

The race format is ‘score’ as this tests navigation skills and avoids snakes of runners going from point-to-point. A rolling start window of 2-hours will spread the runners out and electronic timing is used to track the runners. As normal, different class options are available (including walking) and it’s possible to participate as a solo or team of two.

It’s hard to highlight some standout competitors for 2014. If I were to place a bet on the top Long Score competitors it would be between Adam Stirk and Andrew Higgins (who are a pair) and Stewart Bellamy (solo). Adam and Andrew finished 3rd last year behind Steve Birkinshaw (1st in 2013) and Alex Pilkington (2nd in 2013) both of whom are not taking part this year. They were also 2nd at the Highlander in 2013.

Stewart Bellamy is a strong runner and whilst he may not have featured in the results of recent mountain marathons, he did win the GL3D in 2013.

The Rab Mountain Marathon’s approach is designed to be relaxed and less formal and structured than that of the OMM, which will take place next month.

Shane Ohly, race director for Ourea Events says, ‘But hey the Rab isn’t really about the elite runners and there is some super generous support from Rab who are providing vouchers to the value of about £10,000 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd across a huge range of categories. Check them out here: HERE

At registration on the Friday evening or Saturday morning, competitors can view a Master Map of the competition area which will give a full overview of the event area being used plus provide details of any out of bounds areas, map corrections etcetera. The event Master Map will not be over-printed with any control points.

So there you have it… two days of navigational fun in the English Lakes. It’s possible to follow a live stream HERE and a free APP has been created. Details HERE

Apps can be downloaded here:

iOS – http://bit.ly/1wwcbDK Android – http://bit.ly/1AUZNhj

Race Website HERE

Rab Apparel HERE

Rab Twitter HERE

Marmot 24 (2014) by Ourea Events – This weekend, 2nd/3rd August

Posted on July 30, 2014 by talkultra

Marmot24 is the UK’s first 24-hour mountain marathon. The event combines the very best of British mountain running and navigation into an exciting and challenging non-stop format.

Join us for a weekend of unforgettable adventure on the 2nd & 3rd August 2014.

Three options are available: 6, 12 or 24-hours. All the competitors finish at 12 noon Sunday in an exciting and dramatic finale to a memorable weekend of racing.

‘Completing a mountain marathon and conquering the navigational challenge should not be underestimated… but it should not be feared either, as successfully navigating and running in the mountains is a hugely satisfying experience and gives a real sense of confidence. A steady and careful approach will usually see even novice navigators around their course safely.’

The Event Centre location for Marmot24™ is close to Guardhouse in the Lake District National Park. Guardhouse is close to Threlkeld and just minutes off the A66.

The competition area stretches 360 degrees from the Event Centre and includes approximately 300 square kilometers. To the north 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. The terrain is perfect for a mountain marathon with laser fast ridges and valleys linking areas of complex contour features. There is also a great network of footpaths and tracks but competitors will need to balance easy running on these, with more direct routes between checkpoints. This area of mountains can be very challenging with steep mountains, cliffs, marshland, fast flowing rivers and energy sapping tussocks. Bad weather can happen year round and the nature of the mountains can change very quickly from benign to dangerous.

Ourea Events want competitors to travel as light as possible, to maximize their enjoyment of running in the mountains, without compromising their safety. Therefore, as Marmot24™ is a summer mountain marathon, the organization team does not require competitors to carry a tent, sleeping bag or stove. However, each pair is required to carry a 2-person bothy bag (emergency shelter) and an additional warm layer such as insulated jacket. All team members must also carry a personal survival bag.

With the 24-hour race starting at high noon Saturday, the 12-hour race starting at midnight Saturday and the 6-hour race starting at 0600 on the Sunday morning, everyone will finish at 12 noon on the Sunday in an exciting and dramatic finale to a memorable weekend of racing.

Race director, Shane Ohly, an experienced and fierce competitor himself is extremely excited at the prospect of the racing. To the best of my knowledge, the strongest looking teams are from France and Spain. There are a few other foreign teams but I don’t know too much about them yet. No obviously strong British teams, which is a shame… but there is still time for them to enter as entry closes July 31^st.’

Ones to watch:

Spain

Aurelio Antonio Olivar and Angel Garcia

Aurelio was the 2013 European Rogaine Champion.

Angel won the Spanish national adventure racing championships in 2013

Aguilera and Marc Raflos

Mònica has won the World Adventure Race Champs, the Marathon de Sables, Trangrancanaria, Transvulcania and many more. Marc has been the Spanish national orienteering champion three times.

France

Christophe Bosseaux, Vincent Becam

A strong team with both runners having represented France at the European Rogaining Champs.

Scoring

All checkpoints will have the same score value, which is 10.

Competitors arriving back late will be penalized as follows:

Up to 5 minutes late = lose 1 point per minute / part minute.
Between 6 and 15 minutes late = lose 5 points per minute / part minute.
Between 16 and 29 minutes late = lose 10 points per minute / part minute.
Over 30 minutes late = loose all points!

More information and last minute entries HERE

The Dragon’s Back is back!

Posted on February 17, 2014 by talkultra

I am now able to confirm the dates for the third iconic Dragon’s Back Race™ in 2015. The race will depart from Conwy on Monday 22nd June and finish five days later at Carreg Cennen Castle in South Wales.

In the last few weeks there has been a comprehensive update of the Dragon’s Back Race™ website and the majority of details for the 2015 race are now available online.

There is bound to be much speculation about the first day of the race, which in 2012 included all the Welsh 3000ft peaks, and the notoriously exposed Grib y Ddysgl ridge between Crib Goch and Garnedd Ugain. Some competitors felt that the route was too hard. This is something I have consider very carefully and just like 2012, I shall be keeping the details of the final route secret until the competitor briefing on the night before the race. However, the keen eyed will have spotted that the estimated distance for Day 1 in 2015 is 7km / 600m less than 2012. Competitors can certainly infer that the Day 1 route in 2015 is going to be slightly different, but they should not make the mistake of thinking it is going to be easier!

The 2015 course will be similar, but not identical, to the 2012 route. The 2012 route took its inspiration from the original 1992 Dragon’s Back Race™ and again for 2015, it is our absolute intention to stay true to the original concept of running the mountainous spine of Wales.

Also new for the 2015 race will be live tracking of the competitors so that friends and family can watch all the action unfold in real time each day.

The deadline for Dragon’s Back Race™ 2015 applications is Monday 8th September 2014. Please do not delay if you are intending to enter and get yourself registered and familiar with the online process.

If you were interested in volunteering as a marshal at the Dragon’s Back Race™ the Application process is now open.

The Dragon’s Back website HERE
Check out the DVD HERE it’s a great watch!

CAPE WRATH ULTRA™ – SCOTLAND’S EXPEDITION RACE – MAJOR NEW ULTRA-RUNNING EVENT ANNOUNCED

Posted on January 10, 2014 by talkultra

From the team that revived the inspirational Dragon’s Back Race™, an extraordinary new adventure has just been announced for June 2016 called the Cape Wrath Ultra™.

Billed as a once in a lifetime ultra-running expedition race, the Cape Wrath Ultra™ will weave 400km through the Highlands of Scotland. Starting in Fort William, the race promises to take competitors on an incredible journey linking ancient footpaths and remote tracks to the furthest northwesterly point of the British Isles, Cape Wrath.

©BenWinston

Race organiser, Shane Ohly from Ourea Events, describes the route. “Winding through the beautiful lochs, glens and mountains of the Scottish Highlands, the Cape Wrath Ultra™ is an ultra-running expedition through some of the World’s most inspirational landscapes, including Morar, Knoydart, Kintail, Torridon, Assynt and Sutherland”.

The new race is based on the Cape Wrath Trail, which is considered to be the toughest long distance backpacking trail in the UK. It crosses rugged landscapes, genuine wilderness and has great distances between support points. Hikers usually take at least 20 days to complete the trail and a new Cicerone guidebook published in 2013 has sparked renewed interested in this unofficial long distance footpath.

©DaveCuthbertson

Shane Ohly continued. “Our Cape Wrath Ultra™ route will be similar to the Cape Wrath Trail but with some important variations as we mold the journey for an ultra-running perspective. Detailed planning has begun and Gary Tompsett has been appointed as the Race Director and Planner”.

Gary Tompsett is the logical choice for the role, having planned the 2007 Adventure Race World Championships in the same area and having previously worked with Shane Ohly at Rat Race Adventure. Shane Ohly explained, “Living near the Highlands of Scotland, Gary has a deep knowledge of various route options, the terrain, the weather, and the endless possibilities for a rich experience”.

©GaryTompsett
Two previous winter Charlie Ramsay Round record holders together: Gary Tompsett (left) and Shane Ohly (right). The photo is taken moments before Shane Ohly sets off on his epic 2012 record attempt.

The race is described as a supported ultra-running expedition, in which competitors’ equipment will be transported each day and tented accommodation and all meals provided. This is the same successful formula that Ohly employed when he revived the Dragon’s Back Race™ in 2012.

Ourea Events claim that the Cape Wrath Ultra™ will be the supreme ultra-running trail race. With a 400km canvas through the Scottish Highlands and Ohly and Tompsett’s pedigree – they are both former winter Ramsay Round record holders – in delivering iconic, adventurous and challenging events, who would want to argue!

Entries open in January 2015.

www.CapeWrathUltra.com

Date: June 2016

Dragon’s Back Race – DVD

Posted on May 23, 2013 by talkultra

“YOU ARE MOST ALIVE WHEN YOU ARE MOST FEARFUL”

I love a good movie! I don’t mind if it is in the cinema or at home. Both have pluses and minuses.

A big plus of the cinema is popcorn from the ticket desk and of course, when I am in my seat, that is it. I don’t move until the movies over… you see, I am always easily distracted. I always have ‘something’ to do!

At home I can kick back, put my feet up, get a glass of wine and hopefully relax. If the movie doesn’t grab me, I often find I am reaching for my laptop and then I somehow multi task. More to the point, my work gets my attention and the movie drifts away from my mind and it becomes a distant memory.

This didn’t happen with the Dragon’s Back Race!

Running movies are a tough call. If you are ‘interested’ and by that, I mean a runner or enthusiastic sports person, you can often continue watching a poor movie because the content enthrals you. Very few running movies have been ale to combine key elements and not only provide a great story but also be able to tell it in a visual way, with thoughtful dialogue and importantly a great soundtrack. For comparison I mention ‘The Runner’ by JB Benna, a story about David Horton running the Pacific Crest Trail (2,700 miles) and most recently, “A fine line – Summits of my life” by Sebastian Montaz-Rosset. As I am sure many of you will know, this movie documents Kilian Jornet over the first of his Summits series. I consider the latter filmmaker, Seb Montaz, a master of his craft.

Lets cut to the chase!

I loved the Dragon’s Back Race dvd. It provides a movie experience for all. I strongly feel, very much like the James Cracknell documentary on the Marathon des Sables, that this movie is extremely watchable and intereting for all concerned.

It really does tick all the boxes.

An epic journey, stunning scenery and locations, thoughtful and meaningful story telling, glory, pain, struggles and strife. Not only that, but for the most part, the sun was shining in Wales… that doesn’t happen often, does it!

Documenting the story of eighty four runners, from fifteen countries, the Dragon’s Back Race takes hold of you from the start as the dulcet tones of a male voice choir and the views on Conway Castle lead us into a journey of 300km over five days and altitude gains of 17,000m. The last year this race was held was in 1992.

The film takes you into the heart of the 2012 race as the competitors navigate an individual path down the spine of Wales. Never has Wales looked so good on film.

It’s a compelling and beautiful story. Remote, relentless, ruthless but ravishing.

“I expect to suffer much physical pain” says Rob Baker, eventually placing second overall.

As with all races, somebody comes first and somebody comes last. Without doubt, the film follows the battle for the front of the race between Steve Birkinshaw, Rob Baker and Patrick Devine Wright. But for balance, a wonderful insight is provided into Helene Whitaker (she raced the Dragon’s Back in 1992 and won it). She conveys true mountain spirit, “You don’t enter something like this if you know you can finish it”. And she is right, by day four, from the eighty four starters, only 28 people are left in the race.

One of the twenty eight, is no61 and of course, she is sixty one years old, Wendy Dodd. Also a participant in the 1992 race, she personifies true mountain spirit, guts and a desire to achieve, “It is far more harmful to be inactive than active” she retorts, poles in hand as she powers up a climb. On leaving a checkpoint after a well earned rest and refuel, she stops, turns to the camera and says, “Got to get to the post office before it closes, I need to get my pension”.

It is this humility, this passion and I guess the quirkiness of all those who undertake such challenges that gives the Dragon’s Back Race such broad appeal.

If anyone asks you in the future, “What is mountain running like in England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales?”

Point them in the direction of the Dragon’s Back Race dvd. They won’t be disappointed.

Links:

2012 results HERE
1992 results HERE

The dvd is available HERE

What others are saying:

“Breathtaking” – Trail Running Magazine

“Awesome endurance and stunning filming” – UKHillwalking.com

“One of the great running documentaries. A must see for any runner” – Sheffield Adventure Film Festival

“A film of epic proportions” – MudSweatandTears.co.uk

“Remote, Relentless, Ruthless and Ravishing” – talkultra.com

Many thanks to Shane Ohly for my advance copy of the dvd and the opportunity to review it, *Please note, I am not connected to the Dragon’s Back Race in any way. This is an impartial review.

Chasing The Dragon

Posted on March 11, 2013 by talkultra

It’s official, “Chasing the Dragon” – the story of the 2012 Dragon’s Back Race™ – has won three awards at the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival. The awards are Gold for Best Running Film, Silver for Best Feature Film and Bronze for the Festival Grand Prize.

The World premiere of Chasing the Dragon was held at the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival on Saturday 2nd March at 8.45pm. Chasing the Dragon was ShAFF’s fastest selling film and demand for tickets had been so great that the premiere was upgraded twice and was eventually shown on the Showroom Cinema’s largest screen.

Festival judge and Trail Running Magazine Editor Claire Maxted said about Chasing the Dragon: “Having been at the Dragon’s Back Race™ 2012 myself reporting for Trail Running magazine, I can see why the film has scooped three awards at ShAFF. It deftly conveys both the beauty of Welsh mountain scenery and the tough-as-nails attitude of the runners taking part in this extreme 220 mile, five day race last September. Watching, you feel like you are part of this race, and interviews with both elite and regular racers gives you a unique insight into the hardships they are willing, or not willing, to endure.

Race Director, Shane Ohly added, “The legend of the Dragon’s Back Race™ has proved to be alluring yet again. First, the 2012 Berghaus sponsored race was massively over subscribed and now it looks as though we will fill a cinema to bursting point!”

After the premiere finished, the audience was able to join Steve Birkinshaw, Helene Whitaker, Rob Baker and Shane Ohly for a Q&A session. Steve Birkinshaw won the Dragon’s Back Race™ in 2012 and is one of Britain’s most accomplished endurance mountain runners. Helene Whitaker (alongside Martin Stone) won the original 1992 Dragon’s Back Race™ and astounded many by finishing 4th overall – and first woman – twenty years later in the 2012 race. Rob Baker came second at the 2012 Dragons Back Race™ and is a top road and mountain runner.

Shane Ohly continued, “The premiere of Chasing the Dragon and launch of the DVD is proving to be a major catalyst for enquires about the next Dragon’s Back Race™ in 2015”. With over 1,300 runners already having registered their interest in competing in 2015 the organisers are expecting a surge of applications when the entires open on the 1st April.

Dragons Back Race

Posted on August 23, 2012 by talkultra

THE DRAGON STIRS!

Whispered about with a mix of awe and trepidation, the original Dragon’s Back Race™ happened just once in September 1992. Many considered it to be the toughest mountain running event ever organised and now, almost twenty years to the day, this legendary race is returning and the running world is ablaze with expectation.

Closely following the original route, the race will start at Conwy Castle in North Wales and trace the mountainous spine of Wales southwards over five days to finish at Carreg Cennen Castle in the Brecon Beacons. Competitors will have to contend with a course that is approximately 320km long and with 15,000m of ascent, across the most remote and wild terrain that Wales has to offer.

The 2012 Dragon’s Back Race™ is being sponsored by Berghaus and as details of the start are revealed, both competitors and spectators can be assured of a very memorable and special send off at 0700 on Monday 3rd September.

Competitors will gather in the inner courtyard of the imposing Conwy Castle, where they will be accompanied by the atmospheric singing of Maelgwn Male Voice Choir, who are multiple winners of the Welsh National Eisteddfod competition. During the countdown to the start the runners will be handed the day one map, giving them their first opportunity to see the course… and it’s a monster with the planner’s optimum route being 52km with 4468m of ascent! The race will be officially started by Cllr Dr Stuart Anderson (Chairperson of Conwy County Borough Council) and Cllr Cedric Rigal (Mayor of Conwy Town Council) and the competitors have received special permission to race out along the ancient town walls of Conwy before heading up to the Carneddau, Glyders, Snowdon and beyond…

With the friends and family of the competitors and local well-wishers expected, it is likely to be a busy start and anyone is welcome to come along and cheer off the runners. The best viewing spot will be Conwy Castle Visitor Centre (address: Vicarage Gardens Car Park, Rose Hill Street, Conwy, LL32 8LD).

Just like the original race, the 2012 Dragon’s Back Race™ has attracted a strong international field with competitors coming from 14 different countries, including Hong Kong, New Zealand, USA, Australia and Canada.

The competitors will be following a route that journeys through the following areas and details of the route will be published online each morning. Results, photos and video will also be published online as the race develops.

• Monday 3rd September – Carneddau, Glyders and Snowdon area

• Tuesday 4th September – Moelwyns and Rhinogs area

• Wednesday 5th September – Cadair Idris and Plynlimon area

• Thursday 4th September – Elan Valley area

• Friday 5th September – Black Mountain area

NOTES

Three pictures of Steve Birkinshaw (seven time OMM Elite winner) and Helen Whitaker (nee Diamantides, the 1992 winner of the Dragon’s Back Race) training togetherl. Both Steve and Helene are competing in the 2012 Dragon’s Back Race.