The OMM aims to offer a range of courses that varies in scale of difficulty and distance.

TWO TYPES OF COURSES:

SCORE COURSES: A time limit. Visit as many of the 60 checkpoints as you can and get to the finish before your time runs out.

or…

LINE COURSES: A time trial. Fastest team to visit 11 specified checkpoints wins.

Feel free to contact us if you’re not sure which course to do. We recommend the Short Score course for first time OMM competitors.

The checkpoint locations will be disclosed to competitors on the start line.

LINEAR (LINE) COURSES

Time based courses; where specified checkpoints must be visited in order. Teams are free to choose their routes between the checkpoints.  Fastest time wins.  This is a timed navigation course where specified checkpoints must be visited in order.

A COURSE example map here

Approximately 55km (straight line distance) over two days with 4300m of climbing.  The winning time is in the region of 10 hours. In order to compete on this course we strongly recommend previous race experience on the B Course or a similar event.

B COURSE example map here.

Approximately 38km (straight line distance) over two days with 2400m of climbing.  The winning time is in the region of 7 hours. In order to compete on this course we strongly recommend previous race experience on the B Course or a similar event.

SCORE COURSES

Highest score based courses; a fixed period where competitors accrue as many points as possible in the time allowed.  Checkpoints are assigned points values based on the difficulty of location. Competitors choose a route that gains them the highest score. 2 Points are deducted for every minute or part thereof outside of their time allowance. On a score course you can choose to finish before your time expires should you need to. These course are easier to complete than Linear but very difficult to do well competitively due to the increased amount of planning required.

LONG SCORE example map here

Time limit of 7 hours on day 1 and 6 hours on day 2. Significant hill experience and fitness is required.

SHORT SCORE example map here. 

Time limit of 5 hours on day 1 and 4 hours on day 2.  We recommend this course for 1st time competitors.

HOW TO GET TO THE EVENT CENTRE IN SONTHOFEN

Closest airports are Zürich, Innsbruck (2.5hrs by car), Munich, Stuttgart (2hrs by car) & Memmingen (1hr).
The event centre is accessible by train, including from all the above airports.
There will be no shuttle service.

The exact event centre location is to be confirmed

Train bookings can be found here: Cheap Train Tickets | Timetables for Germany & Europe – Deutsche Bahn

There are numerous accommodation options close to the event centre.

The link below has more information and booking options.

Accommodation list here: Urlaub in Sonthofen: Ferienregion Alpsee Grünten (alpsee-gruenten.de)

Rules

In order to create a fair and equitable competition for each participant of the OMM and to guarantee the safety of the participants, these OMM rules have been created which regulate the behaviour of the participants as well as their clothing and equipment. Any participant who breaks these OMM rules can be excluded from the current competition and also from future competitions.

The Golden Rule: When a team has registered they must report back to the event centre by 16.30 on Sunday and return their SI card. If this does not happen, it is automatically assumed that this team is missing and a search is instigated. If the SI card is not returned before leaving the competition area and therefore a search is made, the resulting costs can be transferred to this team.

Minimum age for all participants is 16 years. For all children under the age of 18, a declaration of consent must be submitted by the parents.

Each participant must have a minimum of experience in the mountains and can safely navigate with a map and compass. Appropriate experience must be listed in the registration form.

The OMM is a competition for teams of 2 people. Team members must always remain within communicating distance throughout the period of the competition. Team members must visit all checkpoints together and have all the necessary equipment on them, e.g. both rucksacks must always be with the team and must not be deposited on the course. If a team member has to retire from the competition, the other team member must automatically retire from the competition. A team may only separate in an emergency if a participant can not move and the other participant needs to get help. In this case, the team must decide how best to proceed. If a participant in the competition area has to be left in such an emergency, it is the responsibility of the other team member that the injured person be left warm, dry and safe. On the competition map is the emergency telephone number, which must be used in this case. There is mobile coverage in almost all higher locations of the competition area.

Out of bounds areas and compulsory passages are clearly marked on the map and must be observed accordingly.

All equipment and clothing prescribed on the equipment list must be carried or worn during the entire competition. The equipment list is the absolute minimum required for a safe race.

Each team must have a mobile phone.

Mobiles may only be used in the event of an emergency during the competition.

GPS devices (also as part of a phone) may be carried, but not used during the competition, except in emergencies. GPS watches may be worn, but not used for navigation purposes. The use of a GPS device or a mobile phone (other than taking pictures) automatically leads to disqualification.

Participants who place themselves or others in danger, refuse to follow instructions from an official or are disrespectful to other competitors or officials may be disqualified from the current competition and excluded from future competitions. Interpretation of this rule is reserved to the discretion of the race management.

Participants must, on request, allow their equipment to be inspected at all times by officials, even after the finish line.

Teams must still have a minimum level of emergency food at the end of the competition.

Campfires are forbidden throughout the competition.

Night rest at the campsite is at 22.00, afterwards all noise is forbidden.

The start windows and the closing times of the race for both days are printed on the map and must be followed. Teams that do not comply with these times may be disqualified or may continue the race in an unofficial category with the permission of the race management.

Rubbish: There are rubbish containers at the competition centre and at the campsite. All rubbish must be carried during the race. Disregarding this will lead to disqualification.

Except in emergencies, participants are not allowed to take any help. This includes, for example, the purchase of food during the competition or help with navigation.

A race briefing is obligatory for all participants. Participants may not start without taking part in the briefing.

The briefing takes place on Friday evening at 20:30. For all who will arrive late there will be an obligatory briefing on Saturday morning at 07:30.

The organiser reserves the right to publicise the event by means of radio, television, print media and the Internet, as well as film and photo recordings of the events for its own press releases, PR and advertising purposes. The participant agrees to be filmed, photographed, interviewed and/or reproduced or presented in any other way during his/her participation in the event. In this respect, the participant grants the organiser free of charge the rights of use in the representation of his person and his voice exclusively, as well as in terms of space, time and content, without restriction for the above-mentioned purposes. In particular, the right to edit the film and photo recordings in any way, as well as the transfer of the rights of use to third parties, is also covered by the granting of rights.

Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on the course. This is due to the special special permissions we receive for the event.

Competition centre

The Event Centre is in Sonthofen, Germany.

Parking

Parking is available within walking distance from the competition centre. Please follow the instructions from the parking team.

There is no camping at the event centre.

Registration

The registration in the competition centre is obligatory for all participants. It is open on Friday from 17:00 to 22:00 and on Saturday from 07:00 to 08:00. The SI Cards will be issued for a deposit of 50 Euros which will be refunded on return on Sunday. Teams can be registered by only one participant as long as both participants have signed the equipment checklist. It is important that the license plate and the signature of both participants are present on the equipment checklist.

Race briefing

The briefing for the race is compulsory for all participants and takes place at the competition centre on Friday at 20:00. For participants who miss this briefing, there will be an emergency briefing on Saturday morning at 07:30. Participants are not allowed to start without a briefing.

Start

The start takes place on Saturday near the event centre.

Finish

The finish is on Sunday is at the competition centre.

Car Keys

Car keys can be deposited at the competition centre and picked up again upon return of the SI Card. The organiser assumes no liability for the safekeeping of car keys.

Luggage can also be left at the competition centre but again, the organiser assumes no liability for the safekeeping of valuables.

Accommodation before and after the race

A free campsite for Friday evening can not be provided however we will send details out prior to the event with further information on local sites.

Catering

Dinner is served on Friday. On Sunday, each participant in the event gets a hot meal, which is included in the entry fee.

Equipment list

Each participant and each team must carry adequate equipment and clothing in order to be able to move independently in the mountains for 2 days in September. The list of equipment is the absolute minimum that must be carried along. Participants should decide on the weather, their own experience and abilities themselves, which other equipment they also have to take with them.

The organizer reserves the right to disqualify participants who, in the opinion of the race management, do not have the necessary equipment to be properly equipped in an emergency situation. Cotton clothing, for example, is not appropriate for an OMM.

Each participant must always have the following equipment:

• Waterproof jacket with hood and taped seams
• Waterproof long trousers with taped seams
• Running clothes for the mountains
• Extra to the running clothes a long-sleeved thermal shirt and a long trousers (this may not be worn at the start)
• Warm top, long sleeve
• Warm hat, gloves and socks
• Shoes suitable for mud, gravel and trail running
• Headlamp with minimum 12h battery power
• Signal whistle
• Compass
• Map (provided by the organiser)
• Insulated sleeping system
• Pen and paper, both must be water resistant
• Bivouac sack / emergency bag – no blanket, it must be a closed sack
• Backpack, no hip bag
• Emergency rations
• Water carrying capacity
• Sleeping bag and spare warm kit must be waterproofed.

Each team must always have the following equipment:

• First aid pack – contents at competitors discretion
• Cooking equipment with stove and enough fuel for 2 days, with sufficient fuel left at the end of the race in case of emergencies.
• Tent with sewn in ground sheet
• Food for 2 people for 2 days

The presentation of prizes will take place near the refreshment area.  Prizes will consist of vouchers to spend on OMM products and the value of each team prize is shown below.

VETERANS HANDICAP

The calculation of the handicap has been changed for 2022 following competitor feedback; now only the age of the older team member is considered, and woman are given an additional handicap equivalent to 10 years.

This is how the percentage handicap will be calculated:

• A team is eligible for a handicap if both members are 45 or older on the Saturday of the event. This applies to both men and women.
• To calculate the handicap, ten years is added to the age of women and then the greater of the team’s two ages is used as the handicap age.
• The handicap percentage is then calculated as 1% for every year over 45.
• Here are some examples:
• A team of two men aged 50 and 55 has a 10% handicap.
• A team of a man aged 55 and a woman aged 50 has a 15% handicap.
• A team of a man aged 55 and a woman aged 44 is NOT eligible.
• A team of two men aged 40 and 70 is NOT eligible.

This is how the percentage handicap is used:

• For a linear course the total time over the two days is reduced by the handicap percentage.
• For score courses the total points score over the two days is increased by the handicap percentage. If the total points score over the two days is negative, no adjustment is made.
• Here are some examples:
• If the total time over two days on a linear class is 8 hours 30 minutes and the handicap is 10%, the time used for veteran results is 7 hours 39 minutes.
• If the total score over two days on a score course is 800 points and the handicap is 20%, the score used for veteran results is 960 points.

FAMILY TEAM

A family team consists of 2 members who are closely related and from a different generation e.g. father and daughter, grandmother and grandson.

Prizes to be presented as per current entries (prizes are per team):

Start time

The start times on Saturday will be announced on the bulletin board at the event centre. Teams who miss their start time must report to the manager of the start zone and can get a new starting time. However, depending on availability, this may result in a longer waiting period.

Campsite on Saturday

The overnight stay during the Saturday night race is on a simple meadow. Water is provided, but this is not drinking water and must be treated accordingly. Toilets are available and rubbish can be disposed of in the containers provided. Only the provided toilets may be used. Teams may only stay in this area and leave the grounds only in case of an emergency after consultation with the race management. Only participants are allowed to enter the meadow, friends, relatives and supporters are not allowed to enter.

Map

The competition map has been drawn specifically for the OMM Alps on the scale 1-30,000m, contours at 15m. Cartography symbols are slightly different than on standard topographical maps, so the legend should be read. On the map, race-specific details are marked: start, finish, campground, restricted areas, compulsory routes, etc. and checkpoints. Item descriptions are printed on the map. If a SI station does not work, note the station code with pen on your map.

Maps are only issued at the respective start, one per participant. There are different maps for Saturday and Sunday, so there are a total of 4 cards per team.

Time

The whole time is taken with an electronic stamping system. Sportident SI Cards are used for the timing. Each team gets a SI Card which a participant must wear on the wrist for the entire race. Before the start, the “Clear” and then the “Check” box must be punched. At the start time the “start” box has to be punched. Teams who forget to punch the start will not place in the results. The time is stopped by punching the finish. Examples are shown during racing briefing.

All checkpoints have at least one control box, which must be punched. A sound can be heard while punching and a small lamp lights up. On some checkpoints there are several control boxes to avoid waiting times. Only one box needs to be punched.

The SI cards are fastened to the wrist with a band and can only be removed on the Sunday. If the SI Card is removed during the race, there is a risk of disqualification. If the SI Card is lost (even if accidentally taken after the race), the participant must pay 50 Euros. Own SI cards are not allowed.

Day 2 Goal – end of the competition

The finish is in the immediate vicinity of the event centre. The competition time ends when the SI Card is punched in the finish box. In the event centre, teams must then return their SI Card, receive their deposit and possibly deposited car keys and get a voucher for the free meal. Prize giving takes place as soon as the results are fixed.

Safety / Emergency

The mountain rescue is available with vehicles on site. In case of an emergency, please call the race management at +49 172 8636042. Immediately call the emergency call 112 in a life-threatening situation.

Health insurance

Each participant is responsible for full health and accident insurance.

Friday

17:00 – 21:00: Registration Open

19:00 – 21:00: Noodle Party

20:30 – 21:15: Briefing in German & English

22:00 Registration closes

Saturday

07:00 – 07:45: Registration reopens

09:00 – 10:30: Day 1 Start

19:00: Line Course closes

Sunday

07:00 – 09:00: Start (Overnight Camp)

13.00: Line Course closes

12:00 – 14:00: Lunch at the finish (included)

14:00: Award Ceremony

*Your exact starting times will be announced on Friday Evening

Changes to your team can be made to your team by emailing germany@theomm.com.

Closer to the event. Amendments to teams can be made at registration or by emailing germany@theomm.com. If making changes at registration the new member of the team must present himself/herself at registration in order to complete the necessary paperwork. It is up to the team to find replacement partners. Course changes at this point will only be allowed if space is available.

CANCELLATION OR DEFERMENT OF ENTRIES

For any cancellations received up to 90 days before the event a 90% refund can be given. After this date we cannot offer a refund as we have already paid for your attendance. The event is run on a not for profit basis and one of the ways of keeping the costs as low as possible is to agree numbers as far in advance of the event as possible, hence why it becomes more expensive to enter as we get closer to the event. For these reasons we are unable to defer entries to future events.

The organisation of the competition is conducted by a small army of unpaid volunteer helpers drawn from a wide variety of clubs and organisations, including the many faithful stalwarts who help out every year and without whose experience it would not be possible to conduct such an event.  These teams of volunteers allow us to keep the entry fees as low as possible to benefit you.

OMM Alps Event Director – Jürgan Jacob

Course Director – Dave Chapman

Course Planners – Peter Weinig

Competitor Communications -Elisabeth Krenn

If you have any queries about the event please email germany@theomm.com