“They’ve run out of the good stuff” remarked Michelle with beer in hand on Saturday evening. This was the midway campground at the Lochranza Centre CIC. They had indeed run out of Arran Blonde at the village hall, but there was plenty of other liquid calories on offer. Not all Mountain Marathons have a bar, ceilidh and showers at the halfway stage, but the Kong 2-day team event did.
The weather was glorious in North Arran all weekend which started on Saturday morning from Brodick Castle. There were 5 different of courses on offer. The Arran granite trails along Caisteal Abhail and around Goat Fell were joyous. In contrast Glen Lorsa in central Arran is perhaps not one of those places you visit by choice. Peat hags, marshy ground and narrow streams are in abundance.
The large number of streams and rivers were very welcomed for regular water fill-ups.
Camping conditions were only spoiled by the mass of midges both in the evening and morning. The miniature weight saving tents made cosy sleeping conditions. There is always a trade-off between weight and comfort at MMs.
Day 2 had flexible start times between 6.30am-9am. With many on the 4.40pm ferry that became a good target to push harder on Sunday. Day 2 courses predictably were shorter but still were significant test on tired legs.
Overall, it was a memorable weekend. The organisers did a fantastic job in a very well-run event.
Results: https://www.sportident.co.uk/results/MiniMM/2022/KMM22/
Carnethy result summary:
Short Course
• Antonia Georgieva and partner Sarah Martin finished 8th overall and 2nd F.
Long Course
• Catriona Graves and brother Alastair had the overall lead at the end of day 1, narrowly missed out on top spot day 2, finishing 3rd and 1st Mixed.
• Anthony Hemmings and teammate Fraser were looking good until sickness ended their race on day 1. Anthony did head back out for an epic solo adventure on Sunday, not that his feet agreed.
Class B
• 29 out of 43 teams finished.
• Michelle and daughter Maddie finished 9th Overall and 2nd F.
• Other smiling finishers were Sarah Ormerod and partner Jeff, Megan Fileman and partner Holly.
Class A
• 18 teams started and only 9 finished, through a combination of injuries, running out of time and map errors. 3 Carnethy teams were forced to withdraw, none through lack of fitness or desire. 3 teams did finish:
• The cheeriest and one of the strongest teams on the weekend were Zoe and Iain Harding finished 4th overall and 1st Mixed.
• Andy Lamont and Eliot Sedman finished 5th. Andy was treated to a geography lesson for most of the race from teacher Eliot.
• James Nicholson and partner Sarah finished 7th and 2nd Mixed. James: Day 1 – 40km of heather bashing and sunburn. Last control description: “top of cliff”. Tick count: 112”. Day 2 – Almost enjoyable today….
Andrew Lamont