Here at OMM we are committed to two things: running the first and most famous and largest mountain marathon in the world, the OMM and developing the very best Leanweight packs, sleeping systems and garments to help adventure racers and OMM entrants in their quest.
OMM - The Product
Mike Parsons is the innovation director who until 1996 was owner, driver & innovator behind Karrimor where he was responsible for creating some of the industry's great iconic products: the orange Whillans and purple Haston Alpiniste, the yellow Karrimat, the Jaguar SA pack, KSB's, the first and original lightweight boots, and not to forget the KIMM AR35 (now the OMM classic marathon 32). Most British expeditions of the 1970's and 80's, many led by Chris Bonington, were supplied by Mike at Karrimor. see pictures of some of the original '75 Everest and Cho Oyo Winter first ascent packs in the official OMM blog.
Today Mike, together with a team of enthusiastic supporters and lead users, are re-inventing the meaning of “lightweight” with many innovations to create products with the perfect blend of performance and agility for outdoor athletes, of any age. Have a look in at Mike's official OMM blog.
Click here to view our product range
OMM - The Event
Since 1982 the event team is under the continued leadership of Jen Longbottom, (Mike's sister). The event has been held each year since 1968. It is the original mountain marathon and forerunner of all adventure racing. 2006 saw new sponsorship, new name and the same great organisational team. From 2006 the event was therefore changed from KIMM to OMM, the Original Mountain Marathon.
Click here to find out more about the OMM and how to enter
OMM - The Innovators
Mike also is a writer, researcher and lecturer on innovation (jointly with Prof. Mary B Rose) on consumer products in general at Lancaster University Management School, one of the top 3 management schools in UK. We also jointly run an annual innovation conference for the outdoor industry at the University, Innovation for Extremes.
This conference grew out of our research work for our 2003 book (still in print) "Invisible on Everest , the innovators and the gear makers" which is the definitive history of innovation in outdoor and mountaineering products.The story of how my views on early 1900's lightweight equipment got me involved (which became an interesting journey!) in joint authorship of this book is told here
From this came our £35k Heritage Lottery funded research into the clothing used by Mallory and Irvine on the 1924 Everest Expedition. We reproduced a full set of all the layers which 'destroyed' the existing Mallory Myths to be replaced with another set of mythology because people seem to prefer myths but you can avoid this if you read the short summary here. The booklet we wrote, 'Mallory Myths and Mysteries' was on sale at NME Rheged until Dec 07 and we are looking to ensure its still available but dont have links at the moment.