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Missing mountain runners located Missing mountain runners located
(40 minutes later)
Three athletes unaccounted for after high winds and flooding in the Lake District forced the cancellation of a mountain race have been located. The last athletes unaccounted for after high winds and flooding in the Lake District forced the cancellation of a mountain race have been located.
About 2,500 runners were taking part in the two-day Original Mountain Marathon endurance race 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 endurance race near Keswick in Cumbria.
Many sheltered in farms and mines overnight and about 1,700 camped out. Police said race organisers indicated that the final six missing runners were now safe.
Organisers indicated participants would have been equipped with tents and food and said all have now made contact. About 743 sheltered in farms, former mines and a school overnight. Twelve people received hospital treatment.
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. More than 1,700 people had been unaccounted for overnight, although many had found shelter and all were equipped with tents and food, race organisers said.
On Sunday morning, Cumbria police called in a helicopter to search for those runners still missing.
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 raceAthletes upbeat after finding shelterAnimals threatened by floodsORIGINAL 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 raceAthletes upbeat after finding shelterAnimals threatened by floods
As the morning progressed the number of OMM competitors who were unaccounted for fell rapidly. OMM organisers had appealed for participants who had already left the area to get in touch and let them know they were safe.
By 1300 GMT an RAF rescue helicopter was searching for the final three unaccounted race participants. As the hunt progressed, the number of OMM competitors who were unaccounted for fell rapidly to 42, and then 14.
OMM organisers had appealed for participants, who had already left the area, to get in touch and let them know they were safe. By 1300 GMT an RAF rescue helicopter was searching for the final six missing racers, comprising of three teams.
The race was abandoned at about midday on Saturday after being hit by some of the worst weather in its 41-year history. Grave danger
The OMM 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 mines RAF spokesman Flt Lt Curly Crawfordsays everybody is safe. Video courtesy of Stuart McInnes - www.sleepmonster.com
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.
Earlier, RAF Flt Lt Curly Crawford earlier said a helicopter crew had airlifted five runners and two mountain rescue volunteers to safety. RAF Flt Lt Curly Crawford earlier 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. Authorities are currently working to reunite competitors, who were competing in teams of two, with their vehicles, and the council is providing transportation.
Eight flood warnings are in place across Cumbria, the Environment Agency says but weather is expected to improve throughout the day. Police said the B5289 between Seathwaite and Keswick is now passable with care and police are still ascertaining which other local roads are open.
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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