Running Wild: 20 Years of the Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon from Lowe Alpine on Vimeo.
Last June, in one of the remotest locations in the UK, nearly 1,000 competitors gathered for the 20th Anniversary Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon (LAMM) and a new film reveals just what a tough event this is.
The LAMM is a two-day mountain orienteering competition with an overnight camp, always in the Scottish hills. Teams run in pairs and carry lightweight camping equipment, clothes and food, competing on six courses ranging from elite to novice depending on ability and fitness. For 20 years this unique event has been supported by Lowe Alpine, and run by event organiser Martin Stone. In that time it has gained a reputation for unique challenges and unforgettable experiences, where competitors can always expect the unexpected.
This year’s Strathcarron location gave access to the rugged Torridon and Applecross wilderness areas, and filmmakers ColdHouse Collective were there to record the action. While the Elite athletes run huge distances over the weekend, it’s no less tough or competitive further down the field and the film gives a flavour of just how hard the event is – and why it’s known as ‘the connoisseur’s Mountain Marathon’.
From the first event in Arrochar in 1994 the LAMM has been recognised as one of the top mountain marathons. Indeed, if you had competed in the Elite category in each event you would by now have traversed 1,260km of unforgiving terrain over the years. Even more impressively, you would also have ascended and descended 80,000m of Scottish mountainside.
For more info go to www.lowealpine.com/explore/running-wild