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Polaris Challenge Dates and Details Announced as Part of the OMM Events Calendar

News Release/Rob Howard / 13.10.2010

Created in 1991 as the worlds first MTB orienteering event the Polaris Challenge was modelled on the original 2 day mountain marathon (the KIMM – now called the OMM). Immediately popular the event grew into almost cult like status with 3 major meetings a year, all sold out at 1,000 entries.

Known as ‘The Hardest Event in mountain Biking’ there were even T shirts printed with “I survived the Polaris Challenge” - worn with pride around the country. The event format was also copied in other events around the world and helped to inspire hundreds of other navigational MTB events around the country.

After a period of change the Polaris is now back, on it’s 20th anniversary year in 2011, organized now by the very race that inspired it - the OMM team.

The format will remain a weekend, two day event with a social campsite and the courses will be the Original Elite Long Score event (7 & 5 hrs), with the addition of the new Short Score event (5 & 4 hrs).

There will also be two Off-Road Sportives, following marked courses where navigational skill is not required - one Elite and one Short course.

Entries and details are on the Polaris Challenge website.

The full OMM events calendar for next year has now also been announced and includes the French OMM and Plas-y-Brenin Training weekend, which has now moved to a spring date. Details are as follows, so put the dates in your diary;

<b>The Original Mountain Series 2011.</b>

A group of ‘Original Mountain Events’ with more to follow. All run with the same care and experience that has built the OMM to be the worlds leading Mountain Marathon. Go to www.theomm.com/OMS for all event details!

<b>2nd & 3rd April 2011</b>
The PYB / OMM training Weekend for
Mountain Marathons. From Elite racer to
novice - from :’How-To...’ to advanced
tactics to win. Guaranteed entry to the OMM for all attendees! (Conditions apply.)

<b>25th & 26th June 2011 - The Polaris Challenge Original Mountain Bike Marathon</b>
Peak District England. The world's first MTB Orienteering event - 20th Anniversary in 2011!

<b>3rd & 4th September 2011</b>
The FRENCH OMM
A Mountain Marathon set in the Jura Mountains, France! (Previously The Alpine KIMM)

<b>29th & 30th October 2011</b>
The Original Mountain Marathon - founded in 1968, the original and still the very best in the world. See www.theomm.com