Karrimor International Mountain Marathon
KIMM Elite – Three in a Row?
Rob Howard / 26.10.2004
To win the prestigious KIMM Elite title 3 times a row is the challenge facing defending champions Steve Birkinshaw and Morgan Donnelly this coming weekend in the Brecon Beacons, and it’s something very few pairs have achieved before.Unlike some top pairs who just get together for the race, they live close enough to train together in the Cheviots hills. They train together with Team Saab Salomon Orange too, and were on the team which won the ACE Races Xtra and British Championship on the first weekend in October.
Two weekends ago they were 3rd in the Polaris mountain bike mountain marathon so they are in good form and with Birkinshaw’s sure navigation (he’s an ex. GB orienteering international) they will be hard to beat. Birkinshaw also passed his ‘SAS selection’ in the Brecon Beacons … but that was for the BBC T.V. programme, not the real thing.
So, who is likely to stop their hat trick of wins? Here’s the SleepMonsters form guide to the Elite race.
King’s Comeback?
Mark Seddon is the ‘King of the KIMM’ with 9 consecutive wins, and he will be hoping to return to winning ways and regain the title. He wants to get into double figures and is racing with John Hunt, who was his partner last year. They finished second, which was Hunt’s best KIMM result and Seddon said on the finish line; “John’s really strong, and could have kept up with the leaders I think. I’m just not fit enough this year, it’s as simple as that.� He’ll be hoping he’s fit enough for that 10th win this time.
Band of Brothers
There pairs of brothers could be in the frame for top positions. Kevin and Quentin Harding have a solid track record of success with four previous top 5 Elite finishes.
Tim and Mark Higginbottom have won the Swiss mountain marathon before and will want to do better than last year’s 10th place. Brendan Bolland is also racing with brother Sean and he will have happy memories of the Brecon Beacons as the last time the race was here, in 1995, he won the ‘A’ class.
Missing From the Action
Brothers not taking part this time are fellow Saab Salomon team mates Jim and Phil Davies, who won the LAMM earlier this year. The Powell brothers are not racing together either this time, but Ifor is in a strong pairing with Nigel Bunn. He would have won the LAMM with John Hunt but for a missed checkpoint and was one place ahead of his partner in the Mountain Trial in September. (John Hunt was just behind them.)See All Event Posts
