The Challenge of Galloway

Rob Howard / 19.09.2006

Recently the venues for the final ACE Race of the year and the OMM were announced, and both are in Galloway in Southern Scotland – the rugged ‘highlands of the lowlands’.

The Galloway Forest Park is the largest in the UK, covering 300 sq km of forest, moorland and lochs, including mountain ranges like The Merrick, Mullwharcher and the Rhinns of Kells. Naturally the region has been popular with endurance events and both ACE Races and the KIMM (predecessor of the OMM) have used the area before.

The ACE Races Xtra was held there in 2004 and those who raced that event will remember the technical riding over ‘McMoab’, a fiercely stormy paddle ... and mud and midges (two things Galloway is infamous for). The ACE Races XXX was held there in 2003 as well and was another exceptionally hard race.

Among regular KIMM competitors Galloway has an almost legendary status. The first KIMM held there was in 1976 and it is still remembered as a key year in the history of the race.

Storms and floods ensured only 30% of the teams finished the race. 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 ...