Mountain Marathon Preparation

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The Mountain Marathon, the ultimate test of the off-road runner’s endurance and skill. Whether you compete at the highest level or whether you are competing in your first marathon, the whole event can be a success or failure depending upon your preparation.

For the first-timer and the not-so experienced, this guide lays out what is required and how to prepare for the event. From selecting the type of course to enter, to the type of training required, to what is expected of you while competing, this guide will help you get the best out of yourself to meet the challenge of probably the most rewarding of all the outdoor events.

<h2>About the Author</h2>
Stuart Ferguson is a member of the Fell Runners Association, a founder member of the Durham Fell Runners club and a UK Athletics coach specialising in Endurance Running in the Fells and Mountains.
Stu has been an active outdoors person for over thirty three years indulging his passions as a fell runner, rock climber, mountain biker and skier in areas as far apart as the USA and Nepal. He currently lives in the Durham Dales.

Stu has been an active competitor on the mountain marathon circuit for many years and has completed well over twenty marathons during this time. His record includes:
Open Country MM 2002, 4th overall, 1st vet team.
Lowe Alpine MM 2004, Elite 9th overall, 1st Vet team.
Lowe Alpine MM 2005, Elite, 12th overall, 1st Vet team.

A summary of his other accomplishments include:
- In 2005, devised and ran the inaugural Durham Dales Reservoir Round of 60 miles with 10,000 ft of ascent in under 12 hours.
- Winner of the Durham Dales Challenge 28 mile off-road run in 1998 and 2001.
- First duathlon style round of the 4 x 3,000 feet Lakes peaks in 11 hours 34 minutes including running Scafell and Scafell Pike and mountain biking Skiddaw and Hellvelyn.
- First mountain bike round of the High Street and Helvellyn Ridges, 54 miles in 10 hours 15 minutes.
- A rock climber with 84 x 1ST ascents from Cornwall to Northumberland including Spitfire E3 5c Aire Rock, Cornwall; Sacked E1 5b White Tower, Pembroke; Marquee Metal E3 5c Wanney’s Northumberland and First Born, Direct Finish E5 6b Kyloe, Northumberland.
- Walked the Pennine Way, West Highland Way and the Helumba Trail in Nepal.
- Has skied over twenty winter seasons, the majority in the French Alps with many classic off-piste descents including Valle Blanche in Chamonix.

Currently Stuart coaches fell and hill running through his club, Durham Fell Runners and the Run Off-Road organisation as well as managing his own outdoor consultancy and equipment testing company STUFFMOUNTAIN.