New Mountain Marathon Event for Dartmoor
News Release / 08.01.2009
Dartmoor has been chosen to stage a brand new Mountain Marathon event, the first event of its kind to be held in the South of England for nearly three decades.The Dartmoor Mountain Marathon (DMM) is a test of navigation and self-reliance. Participants will have two days to navigate a course of checkpoints on foot whilst carrying enough equipment to remain self-sufficient for the duration of the event. The event takes place on the 13th – 14th June 2009 and involves a wilderness based overnight camp.
This is the first time a Mountain Marathon has been held on Dartmoor since 1982 when the annual Karrimor International Mountain Marathon – now known as the Original Mountain Marathon (OMM) – was staged there. The 2009 Dartmoor Mountain Marathon is the brainchild of Devon-based event organisers, Endurancelife, who say the return of this type of event to Dartmoor is long overdue.
“With just two summits over 2000 feet, Dartmoor might lack the grandeur of the UK’s other, more famous, mountainous regions yet it remains one of the most enigmatic and challenging wilderness areas we have,†explains Endurancelife Course Planner, Will Turner.
“Dartmoor’s landscape is defined by over 160 granite tors and punctuated with mires, rivers and pockets of ancient woodland. This mix of gradients and terrain makes it the perfect setting for a mountain marathon. Of course, the fact that many of its features are wrapped in a shroud of myth and legend only adds to Dartmoor’s unique appeal as an event location. We’re excited to be putting the area firmly back on the Mountain Marathon map,†adds Turner.
In addition to the five recognised mountain marathon classes (Elite, B, C, Long Score and Medium Score) the DMM will host an additional Combi Score class for participants wishing to spend the first day navigating by mountain bike, and the second day by foot. The range of classes will appeal to a broad spectrum of athletes including runners, adventure racers, orienteers, mountaineers, hill walkers and enthusiastic give-it-a-go-ers. Significantly, the DMM - unlike any other mountain marathon - will have a solo category as well as a pairs in ALL classes.
The DMM is being run in support of the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team (Tavistock). The charity provides assistance at any time and in any conditions to anyone who gets lost or injured on the moor. A proportion of each DMM entry fee will be donated to the Tavistock Team to help this vital voluntary service continue its life saving work.
Endurancelife Course Planner, Will Turner, an experienced participant of Mountain Marathon events and wilderness challenges, appreciates the crucial role played by Search and Rescue services across the UK.
“Strong ties exist between the Mountain Marathon and Search and Rescue communities. As mountain runners, we have great respect for the Search and Rescue teams who give up their time, for free, to help those who get into difficulty in our wilderness areas. Any one of us may come to rely on their assistance in the future, some may have done so already; the DMM is a great opportunity for us to show our support for the invaluable work that the Search and Rescue Teams do,†comments Turner.
Entries are now open for all classes in the Dartmoor Mountain Marathon. For more information visit: www.endurancelife.com
