Courses

Classes and Categories

The event is limited to an entry of 300 teams, which is necessary in order to preserve the essential character of the Mountain Marathon and to ensure that the success of any team should be dependent on their own navigation and judgement.

The C Class is always very popular (to the point of being full) and we would encourage anyone who has performed well at this level before to move up into the B Class. If you are going to invest a whole weekend to this event you may as well get a good run for your money!

Elite Class

The main competitive class for competent and experienced mountain marathoners, orienteers and hill runners who have proven ability in similar endurance events. Entrants should have completed an Elite or A or B course at a recent mountain marathon or they should have achieved a fast time in a long fell navigation race or similar event.
Distance – 55km over 2 days

B Class

This class is slightly less difficult & arduous than the Elite class and is designed for those who have successfully completed similar courses or have previously done well at a lower level and feel ready to move up. While still a stern challenge this class does not attract the same high level of commitment and competition as the Elite class. Entrants should have very good navigation skills and significant experience of mountaineering or long days moving quickly in the hills.
Distance – 45 km over 2 days.

C Class

The C-Class is suitable for teams who have, perhaps some mountain marathon experience or who are good hill walkers who want to stretch themselves and their navigational capabilities on a 2 day event. We do not expect the same high level of competition as in the other classes but there has always been a strong comradeship between the teams at this level – especially at the overnight camp.
Distance – 35km over 2 days.

D Class

The D-Class is intended for teams who are either new to this type of event and/or have limited mountain experience or endurance. Although the overall length is the same as the C Class, the total climb is lower, the course terrain less arduous and route choices are easier. Mountain navigation and safety skills are still required.
Distance – 35km over 2 days.

Score Class

New for 2017 we are introducing a 1 Day Score race on the Saturday with a 6hr time limit. This class is open to Teams of 2 of any ability as long as you can safely navigate your way the minimum distance (typically 15km) from the Start to the Campsite within the 6hrs. Mountain navigation and safety skills are still required. Click here for details
Distance – Minimum 15km in 1 day.

Vets Handicap

The calculation of the Veterans’ Handicap has been standardised in line with other UK mountain marathons. Now only the age of the older team member is considered, and women are given an additional handicap equivalent to 10 years.

This is how the percentage handicap will be calculated:

A team is eligible for a handicap if both members are 45 or older on the Saturday of the event. This applies to both men and women.
For qualifying teams ten years is then added to the age of women and the greater of the team’s two ages is used to calculate the handicap.
The handicap percentage is then calculated as 1% for every year over 45.
Here are some examples:
- A team of two men aged 50 and 55 has a 10% handicap. [55-45 = 10]
- A team of a man aged 55 and a woman aged 50 has a 15% handicap. [ (50+10)=60, 60-45=15 ]
- A team of a man aged 55 and a woman aged 44 is NOT eligible.
- A team of two men aged 40 and 70 is NOT eligible

The handicap percentage is then applied to the team result as follows

For linear courses the total time over the two days is reduced by the handicap percentage.
For the Score course the total points score over the day is increased by the handicap percentage. If the total point score is negative, no adjustment is made.

Vetting

It is up to each entrant to assess his or her own ability against their experience and the information provided here and elsewhere on this website. Entrants will not be vetted on grounds of safety (except for Parent/Junior teams) but may be vetted on grounds of competitive fairness (in B or C classes). Those we deem to have entered a class well below their abilities may be advised to move up a class or run non-competitively. N.B. When comparing events you should look at the previous course descriptions and winning times rather than rely on course names (eg: “Elite” or “B Class”) as these differ from event to event.

O	Open	The overall competition for all teams
F	Female	Both team members must be women
Mix	Mixed	Teams composed of one man and one woman
Vet	Veteran	Teams with both members over 45 (see below for details)
PJ	Parent & Junior	Teams with 16/17yr old junior with their parent or guardian (C & D class only)

Mourne Mountain Marathon