Engadin Ski Marathon 2006 - skis at the start

2006 will go down in history as the toughest year ever for the Engadin Ski Marathon. Air temperatures of -15C and a 60kmh head-wind gave a wind-chill adjusted temperature equivalent to -30C.

Old-timers who had competed 30 times told us they had seen bad weather before, but never anything like this. I actually locked myself in the toilets before the start to stay warm.

The winning time was 1hr 55' 51", compared to the usual 1hr 30' or so. Times for most skiers were over one hour longer than last year.

As one would expect, the horrific conditions brought out the best in the Marathonistas. Heroes of the day were Rupert Rittson-Thomas, Claudia Munro Kerr and Charlotte Bradburn. Rupert was second-fastest Marathonista, putting in a time which would be good for a rookie in any year, let alone the Year from Hell. Claudia came from nowhere to beat all the non-Scandinavian women (sorry, being Scandinavian on a day like Sunday is tantamount to cheating!). Charlotte battled the elements for no less than six hours and fiftynine minutes but refused to give up.

Special mention goes to Astrid Oyehaug, who beat me by two minutes. Not that I was much competition on the day, plodding along in my little bubble of misery and lavatory fumes.

Heartfelt thanks must go to the welcome crew of Andrew Little and Alison Cater. Getting into a warm van at the end of the race and being fed hot tea was a joy. No group other than the Marathonistas were being shuttled straight from race-side back to their hotels. That was a real life-saver.

A number of Marathonistas failed to finish. Normally this would be cause for much ribbing. Not this year. This was a year to be happy not to get frost-bitten or hypothermic. The mountains just took over and there was not much to be done. We also had one injury, our first in 6 years. Sal became the first Marathonista in 6 years to incur an injury, falling on her shoulder and ending up in a sling - nothing too long-term I hope.

On the plus side, the rest of the trip was great, everyone seemed to enjoy every minute other than the race itself, and most were last heard making noises about coming back and doing it again next year. I am told we are guaranteed sunny weather. Race day will be 11 March 2007. Time to start training! And don't forget to add a pot of seal's fat to your packing list - if it's like 2006 you'll need it.