We’ve prepared a downloadable guide (PDF, 1MB) containing all the information you’ll need to prepare for the SLMM and get yourself to the starting line. Here is the 2025 Guide – it’s quite long so we suggest you read it online rather than print it. It does have some useful printable checklists though.

A Mountain Marathon is a navigational event taking place in high and rough ground where competitors, make their way between a series of specific checkpoints over two days, with a break at an overnight camp. Competitors must carry all the equipment necessary to camp, feed themselves and cope with adverse weather conditions. A Mountain Marathon is race, but not in the conventional sense. Each team starts at a different time, but it is still the fastest team that wins.

Mountain marathons generally have two types of format and competitors choose which they prefer when entering the event. A “line” course requires visiting a series of checkpoints, usually between six and 10 of followed in a set order with the competitor choosing the best route between each checkpoint. The winner is the person or team with the fastest combined time over the two days. The other format is known as “score” and in this case the competitor has  to choose which checkpoints to visit within a certain time. Different checkpoints have different points allocated to them. The objective is to plan a route so as to obtain many points as possible during the time allowed. Penalties will be imposed for overrunning the time allowance.

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