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marathon runners traced

26/10/2008


Police and mountain rescue services have accounted for all of the 2,500 marathon competitors who were stranded overnight by floods.

The majority of the entrants camped overnight in the Lake District when the Original Mountain Marathon two-day race was abandoned.

Earlier today, organisers of the race said all competitors were unaccounted for.

Last night police said more than 1,700 marathon competitors were unaccounted for after they were stranded by floods.

The vast majority were thought to have camped overnight in the Lake District when the Original Mountain Marathon was abandoned yesterday.

Abandoned

The event was abandoned at midday for the first time in its 41-year history as heavy rains flooded the various routes the runners were taking from Seathwaite to Gatesgarth, near Borrowdale.

Nearly a month’s rain fell in one day in parts of Cumbria as torrential downpours blocked several roads in the area.

Around 2,500 people were believed to have started the two-day race and up to 750 stayed overnight in hastily arranged official shelters, police said.

Thirteen people were taken to Mary Hewetson Cottage Hospital in Keswick suffering from the effects of hypothermia and various minor injuries. They were later transferred to Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital.

Parts of Keswick near to the race venue received 65mm of rain in 24 hours up to 6am today, while the town of Shap near Penrith had 79mm of rainfall.

The average monthly rainfall for the North West of England in October is about 80mm.

The weather showed a marked improvement overnight with scattered showers predicted in Cumbria over the next 48 hours, according to Press Association forecasters MeteoGroup UK.

Surprise

Fell runner Neil Talbott, a trainee fighter pilot, said he was a “little surprised” the race went ahead, but added he was glad it did and would do the event again next year.

Mr Talbott, 27, based at RAF Valley on Anglesey, said: “I have never experienced conditions like that before.
“The rain was incessant but the wind proved just as difficult and I was on all fours at one point just to get through it.

“I think it was a 50-50 call whether to start the race given the forecast. I believe the organisers made the right decision, although I was a little surprised when I heard.

“The event is billed as a tough event and competitors know what they are letting themselves in for. It’s held at this time of year annually for a reason because the weather is part of the test.

“There are various categories and you are not allowed to take part in the harder courses unless you have previously competed in the marathon.

“I did the race last year in Scotland and was very impressed with the professionalism of the organisers. They do a great job.
“I do not regret competing in the event because it is what I have trained hard for."

He spent the night with around 80 people at Glaramara Outdoor Activity Centre.

Most left early today in a bid to retrieve their vehicles and leave the area, he said.

and had no where to stay.

they all had tents, and a large number used them !

THERE was a scene of utter chaos at normally sleepy Seathwaite yesterday when the runners’ cars got stuck in waterlogged fields.

Hundreds of fell runners were ferried back to the tiny village at the head of the Borrowdale valley as soon as the road alongside Derwentwater was passable.

But many of the men and women who had to bunk down in a reception centre overnight found a quick getaway was out of the question.

Many found their vehicles had to be removed from waterlogged fields by friendly farmers - others were not even that lucky.

During the afternoon, as rain again started hammering down on the wettest spot in England, a string of cars were heading back towards Keswick on the back of recovery vehicles.

A weekend that was designed to be a challenging turned out to be just that.

they all had tents, and a large number used them !

Just to confirm - 11 rescued on the Keswick/ Cockermouth side and 6 on the Wasdale side

Wasdale had a further two rescues on the Sunday but unrelated to the OMM

.....

ps - as incorrectly reported in the press Lakes MRT did not advise the organisers to cancel the event. Today we have had to go on Radio and TV to ensure that the public are not misled - it is the reponsibility of the organisers to make the decision based on their best information. MRT has a responsibility to rescue those who are in need of emergency help on the mountains. MR will be happy to contribute to any post event 'leassons learned' debrief

Just to let you know that I have spoken to Cumbria Police in my MR regional capacity and as far as I am concerned the Police did not advise that the event should be cancelled - they did advise of the incoming adverse weather. They do not have the powers to cancel events such as the OMM and therefore can only respond to the emergency '999' calls as they come in - this they do pretty effectively and MRT are brought in very quickly - we work very closely with the Police and they are happy to task MRT when our skills a re required (particularly flood and swift water rescue).

I hope that this clears it up - MR stance on the topic remains the same - MR do not advise event organisers to cancel such events. That is their call based on the information they have.

Whilst the media were hyping up the search for missing people that never was in the Borrowdale/Honister/Gatesgarth area, across the way in Langdale the real search was on for three genuine missing, under equipped walkers in upper Oxendale/Red Tarn area.

Both Langdale, Ambleside & Kendal MRT's were involved all night. The walkers were found by a search dog at about 3am cut off by a raging torrent in Crinkle Ghyll, tired, cold, wet and frightened. It took Kendal MRT's full swift water rescue squad to get to them and bring them to safety in the dark. When we got home and reported it to the media they were not interested! Your "missing" 1700 was a much better story than one of Kendal MRT's most technical rescues for a long time. Long Live The OMM!

P.S. The Police had asked us to bring our Land Rovers to Honister to help with the evacuation to the Sheep and Wool centre but after talking with Keswick MRT we decided to stay at home where we were really needed!