RAB 2-Day Mountain Marathon
26TH /27th September 2015

RAB 2 day mountain marathon

Capel Curig 26^th and 27^th September

Richard Beard    Long Score 1^st MSV (55+)  340 points

http://www.rabmountainmarathon.com/results/2015-results/

Saturday morning dawned bright with short lived patches of mist spread across the surrounding hills and frost on the tents.  I’d wished I’d packed a warmer sleeping bag! 

The competition area divided into two areas, the Glyders and the southern Carnedds, to either side of the A5 with the organisers intending that competitors start in one area on the first day and then swap to the other.  This in combination with the score format aimed to spread the competitors out as much as possible.  I opted to start with the ‘easier going’ of the Carnedds and set off just before nine to explore the hills in search of a selection of the control markers.  The weather was almost too good with a number of kites coming into view from half a kilometre or so away; in poor visibility the race would have been a very different experience!  Steady progress through the day saw me arrive at the overnight campsite just outside Bethesda four minutes inside the 7hr limit having visited 12 controls and amassed 205 points.  My route had covered about 16 miles with 1,300 metres of ascent. 

The temperature dropped rapidly as the sun set so it wasn’t long before I took to my sleeping bag.

It was still dark next morning as we prepared for the day 2 start window of 7-8am for the long score course which today had a lower 6hr time limit.  Having received details of the available controls it appeared that collecting sites on the north side of the ridge would involve a lot of up & down over steep rocky ground so I aimed to start out heading to pick up controls south of the ridge with for the most part easier going.  By my 5^th control over half the time allowance had passed so, aware that there was rough going ahead even following paths, I started heading towards the finish.  I settled to just collect controls close to the route on the way and picked up the pace over the last few miles of descent.  I made it in with a couple of minutes to spare.  This time only nine controls visited and 135 points although the distance covered of 15miles and ascent of 1,200 metres had been similar to day 1.  It was a relief to take the backpack off sore shoulders for the last time.

A rinse off in the stream, a large helping of vegetable chilli, a pint and a long prize giving, as the generous supply of vouchers from the sponsor RAB were distributed, and it was time to hit the A5.  It had been a glorious and challenging weekend in the Welsh mountains, superbly organised by the Ourea events team.

 Richard