DARK PEAK NEWS - Dark Peak Fell Runners

Dark Peak News October 2007 page 18Been there, done that...Highlander Mountain Marathon, Sat. 1st MarchA mountain marathon held in the Highlands of Scotland in March had the air ofuncertainty about it. The organisers tried to entice competitors north by providing foodin a heated marquee at the overnight camp along with a Scottish band to help pass thelong dark evening away. A far cry from camping in some sphagnum bog on a remotewindswept mountainside. Furthermore, no check points would be placed above 700mso hopefully reducing the impact of any late lying snow. Otherwise the HMM followedthe usual MM format - four straight line course A-D and a score - but the A coursecompetitors could take the controls in any order on the first day.Despite all the concerns, 92 teams registered in the village hall in the beautiful GlenStrathconon due west of Inverness. On Saturday the A & C courses took a southern routewhile the B & D and score courses took a northern arc with all courses meeting up atthe head of the glen. Having two starts split up the competitors and reduced crocodilesforming. In fact, we saw very few competitors and hundreds of deer. The weather wasperfect with stunning views of the surrounding snow capped peaks and the terrain wasexcellent, being very runnable for almost the entire course. This resulted in some veryfast times. The courses were well planned, needing accurate navigation but always withcatching features if you overshot and lots of route choice.The overnight camp-site was a flat field bathed in sunshine and free of midges. Thehot food provided was welcomed by all to supplement to the normal MM fair. We allenjoyed the ceilidh and those with enough energy danced the night away. The clearsky meant overnight temperatures fell to -5°C and ensured a cool, very cold or bl**dyfreezing night depending on how competitive you were. Many teams were foundwarmed up in the marquee in the wee hours of the morning and the caterers did a roaringbreakfast trade.The leading teams had a chasing start at 7am just as it was getting light. The coldmorning soon gave way to another stunning day of excellent weather and fast terrainwith the classes switching sides of the glen. There was a good selection of prizesprovided by the main sponsor, Craigdon Mountain Sports, including a full sized broadsword for the winners of the A class, (Chris Near & Tim Higgeronbottom), who put in avery impressive performance. The organisation, location and weather during the HMMwas excellent. BBC Scotland made a 30 minute programme about the event whichconfirmed that those blue skies, snow capped peaks and firm terrain were not a whiskyinduced illusion, especially after experiencing the Edale Skyline in the same month! Idon’t expect the HMM will ever become as popular as the SLMM, OMM or LAMMdue to its location and time of year but that may well become its real appeal.Steve Martin