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Aerial search for missing runners Aerial search for missing runners
(20 minutes later)
An RAF helicopter has been called out to search a fell for 44 athletes still unaccounted for after high winds and flooding in the Lake District. An RAF helicopter has been called out to help look for a handful of athletes still unaccounted for after high winds and flooding in the Lake District.
About 2,500 runners were taking part in the two-day Original Mountain Marathon near Keswick in Cumbria before it was called off on Saturday.About 2,500 runners were taking part in the two-day Original Mountain Marathon near Keswick in Cumbria before it was called off on Saturday.
Many sheltered in farms and mines overnight and about 1,700 camped out.Many sheltered in farms and mines overnight and about 1,700 camped out.
Organisers said participants would have been equipped with tents and food and police said most have now made contact.Organisers said participants would have been equipped with tents and food and police said most have now made contact.
As the search resumed on Sunday morning, Cumbria police called in a helicopter to search for the runners, who were competing in teams of two.As the search resumed on Sunday morning, Cumbria police called in a helicopter to search for the runners, who were competing in teams of two.
ORIGINAL MOUNTAIN MARATHON Two-day mountain marathonEvent started in 1968Past venues in northern England, North Wales and ScotlandCourse length of up to 49.6 miles Tough challenge of mountain raceORIGINAL MOUNTAIN MARATHON Two-day mountain marathonEvent started in 1968Past venues in northern England, North Wales and ScotlandCourse length of up to 49.6 miles Tough challenge of mountain race
About midday a police spokesman said the number of teams unaccounted for had fallen to seven, meaning 14 people were still being sought.
OMM organisers appealed for participants, who had already left the area, to get in touch.OMM organisers appealed for participants, who had already left the area, to get in touch.
That message was echoed by a Cockermouth Mountain Rescue spokesman who said it had a list of nine race numbers where electronic tags had not yet been handed into the organisers.
The race was abandoned at about midday on Saturday after being hit by some of the worst weather in its 41-year history.The race was abandoned at about midday on Saturday after being hit by some of the worst weather in its 41-year history.
It has taken place every year since 1968 at locations across northern England, north Wales and Scotland.It has taken place every year since 1968 at locations across northern England, north Wales and Scotland.
According to the race website, the end of October is chosen "to allow weather to enhance the challenge".According to the race website, the end of October is chosen "to allow weather to enhance the challenge".
There are various courses ranging between 40 km (24.8 miles) and 80 km in length, with an ascent of up to 3000m.There are various courses ranging between 40 km (24.8 miles) and 80 km in length, with an ascent of up to 3000m.
Extreme conditions on the mountains and severe flooding made it difficult to get the message to competitors scattered across the hills, often with no means of communication.Extreme conditions on the mountains and severe flooding made it difficult to get the message to competitors scattered across the hills, often with no means of communication.
More than 700 participants sheltered overnight in farms and minesMore than 700 participants sheltered overnight in farms and mines
Mountain rescue teams searched the hills until after dark on Saturday, dealing with 11 casualties, and the Northwest Ambulance Service took about 12 people to hospital with hypothermia and minor injuries.Mountain rescue teams searched the hills until after dark on Saturday, dealing with 11 casualties, and the Northwest Ambulance Service took about 12 people to hospital with hypothermia and minor injuries.
RAF Ft Lt Curly Crawford said a helicopter crew had airlifted five runners and two mountain rescue volunteers to safety.RAF Ft Lt Curly Crawford said a helicopter crew had airlifted five runners and two mountain rescue volunteers to safety.
"A female had been washed into a river by the rains, and obviously [was] in grave danger of being washed away," he told the BBC."A female had been washed into a river by the rains, and obviously [was] in grave danger of being washed away," he told the BBC.
"Fortunately she'd been recovered by fellow runners but was severely injured and suffering from hypothermia.""Fortunately she'd been recovered by fellow runners but was severely injured and suffering from hypothermia."
Cumbria County Council said it opened a reception centre overnight at Cockermouth school and worked with volunteers from the Red Cross and local supermarkets to shelter and feed racers.Cumbria County Council said it opened a reception centre overnight at Cockermouth school and worked with volunteers from the Red Cross and local supermarkets to shelter and feed racers.
The council said it was now providing transport to take racers get to their vehicles.The council said it was now providing transport to take racers get to their vehicles.
Eight flood warnings are in place across Cumbria, the Environment Agency says but weather is expected to improve throughout the day.Eight flood warnings are in place across Cumbria, the Environment Agency says but weather is expected to improve throughout the day.
The BBC Weather website has forecast light showers and winds below 30mph for Sunday.The BBC Weather website has forecast light showers and winds below 30mph for Sunday.
One competitor, Rob Darrington, said at times the high winds and rain had felt as though it was "blowing needles into your face".One competitor, Rob Darrington, said at times the high winds and rain had felt as though it was "blowing needles into your face".
Another competitor Jules Carter defended the event.Another competitor Jules Carter defended the event.
"Obviously the flooding just took things a step too far this time unfortunately," he said."Obviously the flooding just took things a step too far this time unfortunately," he said.
Overnight, 300 runners sheltered in Honister slate mine, which has seen 1ft (40cm) of rain fall since Thursday, according to the Environment Agency.Overnight, 300 runners sheltered in Honister slate mine, which has seen 1ft (40cm) of rain fall since Thursday, according to the Environment Agency.
Mine manager Mark Weir was critical of organisers who had "overwhelmed the emergency service" by allowing the race to go ahead.Mine manager Mark Weir was critical of organisers who had "overwhelmed the emergency service" by allowing the race to go ahead.
But OMM organisers defended their decision to stage the event.But OMM organisers defended their decision to stage the event.
An article on the its website on Saturday said: "The idea of self-reliance isn't a popular one in this day and age, so the fact that 900 people are said to be unaccounted for is being presented with the implication they are lost and in trouble - which is not the case.An article on the its website on Saturday said: "The idea of self-reliance isn't a popular one in this day and age, so the fact that 900 people are said to be unaccounted for is being presented with the implication they are lost and in trouble - which is not the case.
About 400 runners stayed at Gatesgarth farm, while Glaramara Centre and Cockermouth Sheep and Wool Centre gave refuge to dozens of runners.About 400 runners stayed at Gatesgarth farm, while Glaramara Centre and Cockermouth Sheep and Wool Centre gave refuge to dozens of runners.
It is understood casualties were admitted to the Mary Hewetson Cottage Hospital, in Keswick, and later moved to Cumberland Infirmary, in Carlisle, and West Cumberland Hospital, in Whitehaven, for treatment.It is understood casualties were admitted to the Mary Hewetson Cottage Hospital, in Keswick, and later moved to Cumberland Infirmary, in Carlisle, and West Cumberland Hospital, in Whitehaven, for treatment.
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