Kit Focus — The OMM Kit List #PackLightRunFast

The Original Mountain Marathon (OMM) is a two day ultra-running orienteering event, hosted every October in a remote and hostile landscape. Self-sufficient teams of two must navigate between hidden markers, and camp out overnight in the wilderness. This is a challenge of endurance; pushing both physical and mental limits. Here is what I am packing...


I first ran the Original Mountain Marathon in 2016, on the moors and mountains of Galloway. The weather was bleak, but both my running partner and I relished the challenge. You can read more about that first edition here.

This year, we are making a return.

When you sign up for The OMM you can pick either the Line Course or the Points Course. This year we have chosen the 'A' Line Course; a set order of checkpoints that you have to visit, totalling a route distance of 65 kilometres, with 3000 metres of height gain over the two days. In 2016, we completed the Medium Points Course; where you visit as many points as possible in an 11 hour total time limit. On both course options you camp out overnight, and you only receive the map containing the checkpoint locations on the start-line of each day.

We learnt a lot about kit following our 2016 run. In this post, I provide a low-down of the equipment I will be taking to the Scottish Largs coast, for the 52nd edition of The OMM.

• OMM Phantom 20 Rucksack — a lean-weight running rucksack, with a unique shoulder strap suspension system
• OMM Kamleika Jacket — a hooded waterproof jacket, with a high stretch material and taped seams 
• OMM Mountain Raid Pants — waterproof trousers, using contoured stitching and a stretch material
• OMM Smock — a lightweight insulation layer, using Primaloft insulation and a windproof outer 
• CEP Run 3.0 Compression Tights x2 — one pair to wear on the course, one pair sealed in a waterproof bag 
• CEP Run 3.0 Compression Socks x2— one pair to wear on the course, one pair sealed in a waterproof bag
• Runderwear Running Underwear x2 — one pair to wear on the course, one pair sealed in a waterproof bag
• GripGrab Balaclava — for added warmth at night, or if conditions turn bad on the trail
• GripGrab Primavera Merino Gloves — for added warmth at night, or if conditions turn bad on the trail
• 361 Yushan Trail Shoes — lightweight mesh trail shoes, which let the inevitable water ingress sep out
• Silva Compass — essential navigation aid
• RiteInThe Rain Notepaper and Pencil — essential for course notes
• Petzl Reactik Headtorch — there are dark days in Scotland in October
• Nordisk Telemark 2 Lightweight Tent — 
• Vaude Rotstein 200 Sleeping Bag
• First Aid Kit — Ibuprofen, plasters, blister plasters, bandage
• OMM 500ml Soft Flask and Sawyer Water Filter — water supply on the trail
• Survival Bag — essential safety equipment
• Overboard Waterproof Bags — for warm kit and sleeping bag
• Goal Zero Venture30 Power Bank — phone charging
• Nordisk Long Titanium Spoon — great for eating 
• Run Food
• ChiaCharge flapjacks
• Rude Health cereal bars
• Honey Stinger waffles
• Maurten caffeine gel
• Trail mix
• ExtremeFood Freeze Dried Meals x4 — evening meal and one spare meal
• Stove and Fuel — in running partner's pack
• Emergency Rations — sweets, 1x gel, 1x cereal bar
• Toothbrush and Toothpaste
• Phone and GoPro

Stay tuned on Instagram (@tim_wiggins1) for live coverage from the event, and check back here on theexpeditionjournals.com for a post-event write-up.