Richard and I ventured to Praz-de-Lys near Taninges in France for the EuroKIMM Mountain Marathon. This event organised by the french is in a 6hr score format for both the Saturday and Sunday and requires that you carry all the necessities (food, tent etc…). 6hrs of mountain marathoning is quite a challenge, however, this being our 5th mountain marathon this year, we decided that it shouldn’t be a problem. However, shortly after climbing the first hill on the Saturday morning, we realised that this mountain marathon was going to be rather more serious. The altitude and higher mountains had the potential to take their toll. After the first hill, which I think we climbed far too quickly, I was turned to jelly; nevertheless we carried on and although we were late to the half day control (losing 20 points) we finished with 170 points and were in 3rd place in the mixed teams. At the end of the day we were pretty tired, thanks, partly to a hill near the finish, on which we climbed 1100 m in total … half of which was following an entire ski lift! On Sunday we were much stronger, we had gained our head for heights and set off gathering points left right and centre. In total we got 280 points on the second day (helped by not being late at the halfway stage!).
Following the race we hobbled into Praz-de-Lys for a meal in the street followed by a rather random prize giving! We won 1st mixed team and were 2nd overall….. so we won two trophies, but we also won a towel which turns into a bag and a t.shirt … of all things …. we were luckier than another team who won a “Super U” t.shirt and a powder puff!!!!! (The organises had obviously been gathering freebies from local shops!)
A fab time. Next mountain marathon is the RAB in the SW Lakes on the 29th Sept. Watch this space…
Well done and who gets to keep the trophy? π
Richard has the trophy, because it is absolutely horrible! π
I’m trying to work out how to smuggle the trophy into Rachel’s house while she’s not there… π