The Original Mountain Marathon 2006
Galloway – Will History Repeat Itself?
Rob Howard / 23.10.2006
The KIMM and Galloway have a history. It’s a tale of athletic endeavour in the face of harsh weather and uncompromising terrain ... but will it be any different when the first OMM visits Galloway this coming weekend?No one should have been too surprised when the 2006 venue was announced. The hints at the end of last years race that the 2007 event would be in Scotland and the fact the KIMM was held in Galloway in 1976, 1986 and 1996 was a bit of a give away.
That 10 year cycle is continued with the venue in the Galloway Forest Park and the rugged ‘Highlands of the Lowlands’ await. Competitors will race in the largest forest park in the UK, covering 300 sq km of forest, moorland and lochs, including mountain ranges like The Merrick, Mullwharcher and the Rhinns of Kells.
Galloway has an almost legendary status in the history of the KIMM, and the 1976 event is still remembered as a key year in the history of the race.
Fierce storms, torrential rain, gales and floods meant only 32% of the competitors finished the race. Only 4 elite teams made the finish line out of 45 starters and the press, unfamiliar with endurance and outdoor events, were critical. The organiser at the time, Gerry Charnley, was asked in a BBC interview; “Don’t you think this event is too tough?�
He replied; “Everybody knows this is the KIMM, the toughest event on the calendar and it’s not a Sunday afternoon picnic.� The following year the number of entries doubled ... KIMM competitors it seemed were made of stern stuff and couldn’t resist a challenge. Maybe all publicity is good publicity!See All Event Posts
