Confusion -15 April 2026
The Serious Warts had decided that this week’s venue was to be Strines at 5pm but, in the meantime, we were told that DPFR were reviving the Way Out West race as part of the Read more
Ian Adkins writes:
The RAB MM is a 2 day 'score orienteering' event where route planning is as important as fitness and navigation.
This years event was held in the stunning location of Snowdonia.
Competitors, in pairs or solo, had the choice of competing in 2 different event areas, Glyderau and Carneddau or combining the 2. This of course further added to the conundrum of route planning.
Dark Peaks very own Dave Taylor did an excellent job of setting the course, arranging great weather and setting (as quoted by Ela Phant) the 'contouring-over heather-and boulders trap' which most, including myself, fell for!
The Saturday night camp was the usual affair of a sea of tiny green tents with the odd red addition here and there. Some cunning competitors had added luminous balloons to their tents which I'm sure helped after an after dark toilet visit. I, on the other hand, ended up wandering around making new friends till I found my little home!
Roving reporter Willy and sidekick Richard held onto all their points this year and achieved a great result even though Richard claims not to have used his compass! What is this dark art!?
Laurence and Ela had a great 1st outing in Mountain Marathons keeping all their points over both days, which is a challenge and achievement in itself.
John Vernon, going solo, successfully tackled the long course, as did Richa d Cole
Martin Bullock with fell partner Richard Holmes had a great day2 scoring into 3 figures.
Paul Pycroft with fell partner Mathew Hunt scored on day 1 but not on day 2, so I hope what ever incident caused their absence was nothing too serious.
Myself, well I had a great weekend with good friends. Saw and ran (crawled, rolled, you get the picture!) in a part of the country I wouldn't often visit. I got a great feeling when my navigation worked and I would find the control…even though control 46 day2 was in the last ruined room I looked in! Dave Taylor!! ;-)
A great weekend and highly recommended if you fancy dipping your toe into Mountain Marathons.
| Position | Name | Club | Class | Time | Comment | Bonus | Course |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Stirk / A Higgins | 12:26:38 | 515 points | Long Score | |||
| 16 | Willy Kitchen / Richard Bradbury | Dark Peak | O45 | 12:55:00 | 394 points | Long Score | |
| 46 | Richard Cole | Dark Peak | M | 12:28:24 | 295 points | Long Score | |
| 103 | John Vernon | Dark Peak | MV60 | 12:42:15 | 90 points | Long Score | |
| 150 | Laurence Piercy / Eleanor Kent | Dark Peak | OSEN | 10:27:32 | 50 points | Short Course | |
| 1 | Alistair Macdonald / Richard Wren | 10:32:53 | 395 points | Short Score |