A Two Day Competition For Pairs with Overnight Campsite
Location is 2½-3 Hrs Drive from Glasgow/Edinburgh and 2 Hrs from Inverness!

The many landowners and local people have already been most helpful during the early planning stages.  Our event has a reputation for providing the competitors with novel surprises and as usual we ask you to expect the unexpected.  We would prefer teams to think twice before applying if they are not sure that they will feel able to enter into the spirit of the event.  

At the request of the estates concerned and also to keep you guessing, further information about the location will NOT be provided until 16:00hrs on Thursday 14^th June.  There will then be two ways to obtain brief details of the location:

·       Those with Internet access should look on web site http://www.lamm.co.uk where details will remain until after the event.

·        If you are still living in the technological Dark Ages, please telephone Lowe Alpine on UK 01539 740840 (7 lines) between 18.00hrs on Thursday 14^th June -> 08.00hrs on Friday 15^th June to hear a brief recorded message.  This message will be removed at 08.00hrs on Friday 15^th June and no further assistance can then be provided.  Please do not jam Lowe Alpine’s switchboard during normal business hours on Friday 15^th June with questions about the event – they will not be able to assist you.

If you expect to be en route to the area or on holiday in Scotland before the Thursday evening, it may be best to arrange to telephone a friend who has retrieved the information you require – we will not be able to assist you with any more clues.  We suggest that where possible you plan the Friday so that you are able to arrive at the Event Centre NOT LATER than midnight (if travelling by car, this means passing Glasgow or Edinburgh by 21.30hrs.

Should you become aware of the location by accident, we are relying on you to keep it to yourself and under no circumstances to spoil the surprise for others by ‘spouting off’.  Anyone found to be passing on this information will have their entry fee returned and is barred from future events.  We guarantee that you will be able to make it home on Sunday night. 

From the experience of previous years, we expect the event to fill very quickly.  The format of the competition itself will be fairly straightforward for those with experience of 2-day Mountain Marathons and we hope to keep the organisation informal and friendly.  The emphasis will be on good courses and the quality of the race itself.

We hope to provide you with a weekend of racing and adventure!  The connoisseurs Mountain Marathon.

RECEIVING EMAIL UPDATES AND OBTAINING INFORMATION FROM THE WEB SITE:  Our event was the first UK Mountain Marathon to make use of a website in 1998.  More than 800 of you have already subscribed to the LISTBOT email mailing list to receive regular news updates about issues such as Foot and Mouth Disease and so that we can tell you when you need to take another look at the website.  If you haven’t already subscribed, it is important that you visit www.lamm.co.uk and subscribe to the list.  If your first attempt to register is not successful, please try again on another occasion as we are aware of occasional problems with the LISTBOT website.  If you are told that you are supplying the wrong password it either means that you have already subscribed to the list and this is the wrong password or you have already subscribed to another list and you must supply the same password for each LISTBOT list to which you subscribe.  If all else fails, contact martin@lamm.co.uk with a detailed description of the problem.  

These Event Details are being placed on the website in a form that can be easily downloaded or printed.  In due course any additional details and the Results will appear in the same way.  We would like to encourage team members to circle the option  on the Entry Form, which confirms that you have personally subscribed to the email mailing list, agreeing to print all further information when it appears on the web site and not receive any further correspondence about this event by mail.  We do not produce a glossy result booklet so you won’t be missing anything.  Remember – if you don’t subscribe to the list, we can’t tell you either about urgent issues such as Foot and Mouth or when you need to take another look at the website.

FINAL DETAILS:  All being well, there should be no need for us to supply any Final Details.  Those who do not have access to the Internet will be sent confirmation of their entry and their team number.

BRIEF DETAILS OF THE WEEKEND & EVENT FORMAT

ARRIVING ON FRIDAY:  Yellow LAMM signs will direct you to the parking area.  The car park will not open until 14.00, so it will not be possible to park your car until then.  Wherever possible please share transport with another team, as parking space is especially limited this year.  Parking will be within 1km of the camping field where the Event Centre is located and those who arrive earliest will park furthest away.  There will be no car key deposit so please keep your keys with you.  We cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage, should an unfortunate incident occur.  Do not arrive at the parking area after MIDNIGHT, as it will be closed to avoid disruption to local people and other competitors.  If you cannot make this closing time, you should camp en route and see the note below for those arriving on Saturday morning.

ARRIVING ON SATURDAY MORNING:  We think that you will enjoy the event more if you are able to arrive on Friday.  However, if this is not possible, the parking area will be open from 05.00 – 08.00 on Saturday morning.  

TRANSPORT FROM GLASGOW OR INVERNESS  We are organising optional transport on Friday afternoon and early/mid evening, which will carry you directly to the Event Centre with the option to return on Sunday.  If in due course you wish to book on one of the coaches, complete the booking form and send it with your remittance by 4^th JUNE LATEST so that we can schedule the coaches to meet your requirements.  Details of those who have booked will be updated on the website, precise details of the arrangement will be displayed there or sent to you by 12^th June.  Coach ‘managers’ will try to ensure that connections are kept with late-running trains, coaches and flights, so long as we are made aware that people are arriving on them.  Useful online booking sites are www.easyjet.com and www.britishairways.com. 

HOT TIP - CARRY YOUR PACKED EVENT SACKS AS HAND LUGGAGE.  Two years ago, Sabena Airline mislaid the hold luggage of a pair from Holland.  They turned up at the event without any kit and were unable to participate - a disaster for them and a lesson to be learned.

Inverness:  We would thoroughly recommend early booking to Inverness as it is more local to the event than Glasgow.  EasyJet flight 171 13:35 Luton->15:05 Inv and returning on Sunday flight 176 17:00 Inv -> 18:35 Luton.  Best price £100 return.  There are three BA flights from Gatwick to Inverness, which arrive at 11:15, 16:45 and 21:45.  There is one suitable flight on Sunday by BA7947 17:30 Inv->19:15 Gatwick.  We will meet afternoon and evening Friday flights and then call at Inverness railway station approx. 17:30 and 22:30 (ensure your inward transport reaches Inverness by 16.45).  On Sunday, the transport to Inverness will need to leave the Event Centre at 14:00 to connect with the returning flights.  En route it will if necessary call at Inverness railway station approx. 16:00 so please don't book onward transport before 16:30.

Glasgow:  There are Easyjet flights from Luton and other direct flights from Belfast, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cardiff, Dublin, East Midlands, Isle of Man, Leeds Bradford, London (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted), Manchester and Southampton.  Do not confuse Glasgow Airport with Prestwick Airport, which is to the SW of Glasgow.  In view of the distance to the venue, the latest transport on Friday will leave Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station at 20:00 and Glasgow Airport at 20:30.  Please don't make bookings on trains/buses that get to Glasgow later than 19:15 or planes that get to Glasgow Airport later than 20:00.  On Sunday, the transport to Glasgow will leave the Event Centre at 15:00 and is only intended to connect with flights leaving Glasgow Airport after 19:15.  Transport will then call at Glasgow railway station and Buchanan Bus Station.  Please don't book onward transport from the centre of Glasgow before 19:00. 

If you live in the Glasgow area and in return for free transport would be prepared to ‘manage’ a coach, please contact martin@lamm.co.uk.

BUNKHOUSE ACCOMMODATION ON FRIDAY NIGHT  will be available this year but  you can only book it on a first come first served basis at registration.  We realise that this style of event makes it difficult to book accommodation for the Friday night and we would prefer teams to camp at the Event Centre and enjoy the ambiance.  However, if you can’t bear the thought of two nights in a tent, this will be a very good option.

You should come to the Event Centre prepared to camp there and when you park we will provide an information sheet with details.  This is bunkhouse accommodation with self-cooking facilities, it will be priced £12 and should be a good place for about 50 people to stay.  We anticipate that those who register earliest on the Friday will soon fill the beds.  To give us an idea of numbers so that we can make reservations and your ETA at the Event Centre on Friday 15^th June, please complete the relevant section on the Entry Form.  It will be possible to purchase wholesome food close to the accommodation.  You may of course eat at Wilf's at the Event Centre before heading off to the accommodation. 

Those of you who are travelling to the event by coach from Glasgow or Inverness MUST camp at the Event Centre on Friday night to avoid a long walk!

FRIDAY NIGHT CAMPING will be at the Event Centre.  We have been offered a large area in a marvellous position to use for the Event Centre and camping with parking nearby.  Two marquees will be used for registration, sale of food/drink, tees/sweats and storage of kit while you are away on the hills.  We are having a water supply piped into the field and will, as is usual at these events, provide rudimentary slit trench latrines for your convenience. You have the option to leave a ‘base camp’ tent erected throughout the weekend at the Event Centre containing spare kit.  If this is not possible, one rucksack per person may be handed in at the smaller marquee on Saturday morning from 05.00 where you will be given a baggage label with your team number, to be attached to your rucksack.  If you like the venue, you may also camp there on Sunday evening and use the opportunity to chill out after the event. 

REGISTRATION will take place in one of the marquees from 15.00 – 22.00 and from 22.45 – 00.30 on Friday night.  KNOW YOUR TEAM NUMBER WHEN YOU COME TO REGISTER.  All teams arriving on Friday must register on Friday.  Teams arriving on Saturday morning may register from 05.00 – 08.15 on Saturday morning.

Sport ident electronic cards for recording times at checkpoints and two event maps per team will be issued at registration and although it will also be possible to make team substitutions or to change course, we would prefer you to at least choose the right course when you enter!  Your start time will also be allocated (randomly) at registration. 

CALLING ALL DOCTORS:  We realise that it would be nice to get away from the ‘day job’, however it would reassure us to be able to identify a few doctors at the mid-camp who could liase with members of the mountain rescue in case of emergency.  If you don’t mind the imposition, please make yourself known at registration.

MERCHANDISE:  Suitable-sized map bags, videos of Jura 1997, the handbook “Mountain Navigation For Runners” by Martin Bagness.  Additional maps may also be purchased at the end of the event.

EVENT TEE & SWEAT SHIRTS:  As usual, we will offer an eye-catching design created by the graphics team at Lowe Alpine.  They can be purchased during the weekend in the marquee and should these sell out, a mail order list will be compiled and items despatched by the end of July.

COMPASS POINT SHOP:  The mobile shop is a supplier of Lowe Alpine kit and will be present at the event to provide an opportunity for any urgent last minute purchases before the event and replacement of trashed gear afterwards.  Contact Rick Houghton at rick@compasspoint-online.co.uk or telephone 01253 795597 to ensure that the shop can bring whatever you will need.  If you are flying to the event and are unable to carry GAS CYLINDERS with you, contact the shop to ensure that he brings enough of the right type to the event.  You can also purchase equipment from his secure online web shop at www.compasspoint-online.co.uk.

WILFS OUTDOOR CATERING who attend orienteering events and mountain marathons all around the UK will be present to provide a variety of food for purchase on Friday evening from about 15.00.  This will include Soup, Pizza, Chilli in a bowl, baked potatoes, pasta bowl, a number of cakes and the usual brews.  On Saturday morning, cereal and bacon rolls will be on the menu.  A free meal is provided to each competitor on Sunday at the end of the event.

HIND CALVING:  The event takes place during the hind calving period.  Should you discover a newly born calf that is apparently alone and in distress, please give it a wide berth and under NO CIRCUMSTANCES TOUCH IT.  On her return, the mother is likely to reject the calf after detecting human scent.

DAY 1 START times will be allocated (randomly) at registration.  Allow 30 minutes to reach the start.  Day 1 start times are between 06.30 - 08.30.  At the start enter the taped area corresponding to your course.  An official will note your team number as a safety check.  You are advised to use the small plastic bags provided at registration to protect the description sheet, which is not waterproof.  The description sheet will give a 6 figure grid reference for each checkpoint on your course, plus a written description and code to look for at the checkpoint.  The checkpoints must be visited in the order shown on the sheet.

CHECKPOINTS:  Pairs must stay within visual and verbal contact of each other and BOTH MEMBERS MUST VISIT EACH CONTROL.  We are aware that in previous years, a few teams have cheated where one member was descending to a control before climbing back up the hill to join a weaker partner.  This will not be tolerated and some checkpoints will be manned by volunteers who will ask you for your team number.  Each checkpoint will be marked with an orienteering-type orange and white nylon marker.  This will be sited at ground level, weighted down with rocks.  Always check the 3 digit identification code  on each marker to ensure that you have visited the correct one for your course (thereby avoiding disqualification).  Any closing times will be marked against the relevant checkpoint description and you should not expect to find a checkpoint marker if you arrive after this time.

OVERNIGHT CAMP:  Please adhere to signs and protect the water source by washing downstream of the drinking water collection area.  No rubbish is to be discarded on the hills or at the mid-camp.  ALL rubbish MUST be carried out and taken back to the Event Centre with you on Sunday afternoon.  Spot checks will be made at the finish. 

DAY 2 START:  There will be a chasing start for the leading teams which will begin between 06.00 – 06.30, depending on the spread of fast times.  This will carry on until 06.50 and the majority of the teams will make a mass start at 07.00.  Day 2 start times will be displayed on the results board when a reasonable number of teams have completed Day 1.  Teams which retire or are disqualified on Day 1 may ONLY start Day 2 if they inform the relevant marshal from 06.00 otherwise it is assumed that they are non-starters.  Teams will start from a taped area close to the mid-camp.  Course description sheets will be issued in the taped area.  Chasing starters will receive description sheets as they start and the mass starters from 06.50.

DAY 2 FINISH – THE EVENT CENTRE:  Random kit checks will be made and rubbish generated during the weekend must be displayed.  A free meal will be served to all competitors by Wilf's Outdoor Catering.  The prize-giving will take place nearby at around 13.00.

PRIZES will be awarded to the first 4 teams on each course, first mixed and first women's team in each class.  A handicap prize will be awarded to the first veteran’s team where the total age of the team is 80 or more on Saturday 16^th June 2001.  The handicap is based on an allowance of 1 minute per hour of running time for every 2 years of age increment over 80 years.

POT HUNTING!  Prize winners in previous years (other than Elite) are ineligible for prizes when competing on a course & category (unless veterans) where they have previously won a 1^st or 2^nd prize.  We reserve the right to decide a team's eligibility for a prize where one team member who has previously won a prize pairs up with another previously unplaced member and they enter a lower course.

DAY 2 COURSE CLOSING TIME:  All teams must be back by 16.00 on Sunday whether or not they have completed their course.

RETIREMENTS:  Teams must hand in their control cards if they are retiring, either at the mid-camp or at the Event Centre.  THIS IS THE GOLDEN RULE AND MUST BE ADHERED TO WITHOUT EXCEPTION.  Failure to follow this procedure will result in the Arrochar Mountain Rescue being forced to stay in the area on Sunday evening.  They have jobs to return to on Monday and will be extremely annoyed if you cause a false alarm.  Any competitor doing so will be blacklisted for all future events. Should you retire and return to the Event Centre during Saturday or early on Sunday, please place your electronic control cards in the labelled box in the marquee, otherwise hand them in at the finish funnel.  It is the responsibility of competitors to make their own way back to the Event Centre.  The mid-camp will be at an isolated location and unless you have suffered a broken limb or other severe injury it is unlikely that we will be able to offer transport back to the Event Centre.

ACCIDENTS:  Use your whistle to summon assistance from other competitors.  Put the casualty in a sleeping bag or tent while someone, preferably two people, go for help.  Someone should stay with the casualty at all times, although if you cannot summon help you may have to leave them on their own.  Make a careful note of the grid reference, nearby features, time and nature of injuries.  Telephone the 24 hour emergency phone number shown on your Control Description sheet and ask for a suitable message to be passed to the Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team who will be present all weekend.

Adders are quite active at this time of year, however it is extremely unlikely that anyone will be bitten.  Should you be unlucky, it is not likely to be too serious.  Immediately wash the bite to remove venom on the surface, dispel any notion of continuing competitively and rest for about half an hour with the relevant limb elevated.  If you are not feeling too feverish or nauseous after this rest, proceed gently either to the mid-camp or to a road, whichever is the nearer.  Seek medical advice as soon as possible.  

COURSES:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

                (*One team member must be over 18. A letter giving parental consent must accompany the entry form)     

These distances are only approximate but we will endeavour to ensure that the fastest time is achievable given good weather.  Please do not be misled if you feel the distances are short.  These are straight lines drawn between the controls, the terrain is mountainous even by Mountain Marathon standards with plenty of climbing.  Day 1 will take significantly longer than day 2 and the courses will combine relatively fast high-level routes with lower level sections, which demand more technical navigation.

NOTES ON VETTING:  All entries will be vetted for suitable experience and each team must be able to navigate in the hills.  Elite entries must have completed an Elite or A course at a recent mountain marathon, A entries an A or B course.  Alternatively they should have achieved a fast time in a long fell navigation race or similar event.  Other impressive achievements will be considered!  These courses could involve some scrambling. 

B and C entrants must have completed a course at a recent mountain marathon or long fell navigation race or alternatively have significant experience of mountaineering or long days moving quickly in the hills.  The D course is intended for those with limited mountain marathon experience, but who are very strong walkers or steady runners.  These courses will also cross steep, rough mountain terrain and require excellent navigation skills. 

We are providing a NOVICE course again this year but it is intended to be non-competitive and no prizes will be awarded.  It is only suitable for those who have limited or no experience of Mountain Marathons and it may be necessary to provide relatively direct courses to and from the midcamp.

All entrants should feel capable of completing the E, A and B courses within 150% of the winner's time, while the C and D courses should be completed within 180% of the winner's time.  Speed and fitness are important factors in mountain safety.  Please do not enter this event merely with the aim of finishing a course regardless of the time taken.

IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO CHOOSE A SENSIBLE COURSE IF YOU INTEND TO RETURN TO GLASGOW OR INVERNESS BY COACH!  If we assume you are in the Sunday mass start, the transport to Inverness will leave the Event Centre 7 hours later.

PLEASE READ THIS WARNING:  This year you will be tackling some of the most challenging mountain terrain used for a British MM and the daily distances will reflect this.  It will not however be as severe as Glen Shiel 2000.  If you are not both competent and confident when moving across steep, rough mountain terrain, you will inevitably be spending longer on the hills than you anticipated.  In view of this, please make a realistic assessment of your capabilities and ensure that you are tackling a course which best reflects your mountain skills.  Please be prepared for the worst possible conditions as the competition area is very isolated and these hills are exposed to serious weather.  Bear in mind that you are very much on your own once you have started.  Although the organisers will ensure that the event is as safe as possible, your safety is ultimately your own personal responsibility, just as it is with any trip into the hills.  Consider training for this event by running on mountain terrain where possible and by practising fine map reading and compass skills.

TRAINING COURSES for those who wish to improve their mountain marathon skills will take place in the Lake District on six weekends this year.  Joe Faulkner who is an outdoor professional and qualified mountain/canoe instructor will lead them.  For more details and a booking form visit www.tuaproducts.fsnet.co.uk , email faulknerjoe@hotmail.com, or contact Joe at 44 Wordsworth Street, PENRITH  CA11 7QY Tel: 01768 895013.

THE MAP:  Each team will receive 2 copies.  This year, the map is at 1:40000 scale with a contour interval of 10m and is based on data from the relevant OS 1:50000 sheets.   The maps will not be laminated and map bags will be available for purchase at registration.

COMPULSORY KIT:  Each team must carry a tent with ground sheet, food for evening meal and breakfast, stove and means to produce hot food/drink, first aid kit to include wound dressings (one large), triangular bandage, roller bandage & anti-inflammatory tablets/ointments (not compulsory).

Each person must wear or carry a whistle, compass, map, pencil & paper, torch (not penlight) with spare bulb & 6 hours light, sleeping bag, survival bag (not space blanket), waterproof cagoule with hood - a  Pertex windproof top is not acceptable, overtrousers, hat & gloves, tracksters/thermal bottoms, thermal vest or similar, warm thicker top, hill food for each day with a small amount of emergency rations to remain at the end of day 2.

A Goretex bivi bag may be used as a sleeping bag but not as a tent.  Footwear must be lightweight boots, fell running or orienteering shoes – no flat-soled trainers permitted.

Teams should be prepared for random kit checks on arrival at the midway camp and at the end of the event.

RECOMMENDED KIT:  If you feel there is any risk that the water you may drink en route or at the campsites is not pure enough, you should consider using suitable water purification tablets.  This would be more significant after a period of unusually dry weather.  Midge repellent and sunscreen should also be considered.

FORBIDDEN KIT:  GPS and any Satellite Navigation device such as Magellan - altimeters are allowed. 

ENTRY LIMIT & WAITING LIST:  Teams will generally be accepted on a first come basis.  We will however guarantee entry to teams on the Elite and A courses, teams entering from abroad and those who have helped the event in a significant way.  When courses are filled, new entrants will be placed on their second choice course and informed of the situation.  Their cheque will then be banked if nothing is heard to the contrary within two weeks.  When the limit is reached or a second choice course is filled, a waiting list will be generated.  Teams will be informed of their position on this list and cheques retained by us but not banked.  In view of the uncertainty, teams on the waiting list may withdraw and ask for their cheque to be returned at any time.  As places on courses become available, the next suitable team from the list will be contacted with the good news.  Cheques will be returned to those who still remain on the waiting list on 1^st June.  Your entry will not be confirmed by post but those with access to the Internet can check the list of teams on www.lamm.co.uk, which will be updated every few weeks.  

CHANGE OF PARTNER OR COURSE:  Should it be necessary to make a change, please do NOT telephone us.  You can email, fax or write to us with this information until 11^th June.  After this date, inform us of changes at registration.  If a team member has changed, report to the Information Desk before proceeding to registration.

WITHDRAWING AN ENTRY:  Should the team be unable to participate (even at the eleventh hour), please write to the entries address (see below) and your request to withdraw will be acknowledged.  Only if we receive your notification in writing franked with a 25^th May (latest) postmark and this results in reducing the waiting list, will the team will qualify for a refund of the entry fee plus any coach booking fee less £10 which will be paid by the end of July.

LIFTS REQUIRED/OFFERED:  Last year we were able to solve a number of transport ‘crises’ by publishing details of those offering lifts on our website.  This year, if you have a particular travel problem and have been unable to find a solution you can visit the new LAMM Forum if you are either a donor or a hopeful recipient.

LOOKING FOR A PARTNER?  The web site worked wonders for a few ‘desperate’ competitors last year.  At least 10 partnerships were forged through the site and some teams were very successful.  If you lose a partner or are looking for a partner visit the new LAMM Forum at www.lamm.co.uk. 

CAN YOU HELP?:  If you are thinking of coming to the event but are not competing and would be able to commit  yourself from Friday afternoon onwards to help with parking,  registration, the starts, finishes, midcamp or on the hill, please contact MARTIN STONE as shown below no later than 5^th June..

ADMINISTRATION ADDRESS:  For all correspondence, EMAIL: martin@lamm.co.uk, FAX 01931 714107, write to Martin Stone, Lowe Alpine MM, Sleagill Head Farm, SLEAGILL, PENRITH  CA10 3HD or in the last resort telephone 01931 714106.

MORE MAPS OR JURA 97 VIDEOS?  Would you like a memento of recent LAMM adventures at Glen Shiel 2000, Black Mount 1999, Ardgour 98 or Jura 97.  Maps of these areas are still available at a price of  £5.00 each including a postal tube & p+p.  A 45-minute video of the Jura 97 LAMM is available for £8 including p+p.  Visit the LAMM Shop at www.lamm.co.uk.

Please join the LAMM mailing list to receive regular updates about LAMM 2002