Low Alpine Mountain Marathon

17th/18th August 1996

Lochaber was the setting for this years LAMM and saw 323 teams (two and a half of which Westies) competing over the spectacular terrain of the Nevis Range. Continuing the LAMM tradition of unusual transport to the start, the Friday night campsite was at 2000ft reached by the Aonach Mor gondola – midge free but a bit of a hassle as overnight gear had to be transported back down to the carpark in the morning.

Saturday brought rain, mist, and interesting navigation as the courses (Elite, A,B,C and D) contoured their way around the side of the Aonachs, across Glen Nevis, and up onto the Mamores, the wet rock making some of the scrambling descents rather tricky. Overnight camp was by the scenic (if midge infected) Meananach Bothy, where John Donnelly and myself met up with Pete and Keith who were on the elite course. There was no sign, however, of the other Westie team of Stevie Bell and Dave Rogers, and we discovered later that they’d had to drop out after Stevie’s dodgy ankle had swollen up.

Sunday was mist-free and the routes headed north, converging on the Larig Leacach allowing for the longest runnable section of the weekend, before a relentless climb up onto the Grey Corries ridge just below Stob Coire na Gaibhre. From here it was a question of route choice whether to go round or over the Corries, before a steep descent off Stob Coire Easain leading down into more runnable terrain, and a fast finish (for some) along the disused railway line back to the Aonach Mor car park.

Congratulations to Keith and Pete who finished the Elite course in 12hrs 46.16 to win the vet’s prize.

Elite (50k)

1 Dan Parker/Mark Seddon 10.31.16

7 Keith Adams/Peter Baxter 12.46.16

A Course (44k)

1

Andrew Patience/Garry MacInnes 10.18.27

14 John Donnelly/Brian Bonnyman 13.01.17

B Course (39k)

1 Dean Field/John Mayo 08.47.30

C Course (33k)

1 Brian Cook/Thomas Greig 08.09.13

D Course (29k)

1 Paul & Rose Murray 08.03.52