UPDATE 27/10/08:  As we came running down from the mountains to the finish of day 1 we were told by an official that the event had been cancelled.  We were disapointed but we were one of the few teams that stayed out and managed to reach all of the checkpoints on the elite course on day 1.  Thanks for the donations and please keep spreading the word (or should I say this link) for a deserving cause.

Thanks for visiting our fundraising page: The Royal Irish Mountain Marathon (RIMM).

The Royal Irish Regiment has just to returned from Operations in Afghanistan and is entering a team in this years Original Mountain Marathon (OMM) to raise money for HELP for HEROES (http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk).

For the latest updates on the Royal Irish including details of our deployment to Afghanistan please click here:http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/3409.aspx

PS Don't forget your Royal Irish wristband.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Help for Heroes gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor us now!

Founded 1968 the OMM is the originator of the 2 day mountain marathon type event and is for teams of 2, carrying all clothing, equipment, tent, sleeping bag, food for 36 hours, navigating one's own route and including an overnight camp. The deserts of Afghanistan were perfect preparation!!!

Teams are totally self supporting, no GPS or outside support is allowed and teams NOT arriving at the the overnight camp are assumed to have camped safely.Your team partner is your first source of help and assistance.

There a 7 different classes, we are competing in the Elite calss, (the course distances quoted are over 2 days) the longest being the Elite which is literally 2 consecutive marathon length days or thereabouts and with c2,500m of ascent over 2 days.

The ethos of the event is to be totally self-reliant, in the wilds, carrying all equipment, no outside support and without GPS or cell phone. Your first source of help is your partner and if you retire you are responsible for getting yourselves back to base. Any teams not arriving at the overnight camp are assumed to have camped safely. In these days of 24/7 contact and total support this is an event to test and indeed help develop teamwork and self-reliance.

For more details check: http://www.theomm.com