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| Stranded runners search resumes | Stranded runners search resumes |
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| A huge search has resumed for hundreds of athletes left stranded after bad weather in the Lake District. | A huge search has resumed for hundreds of athletes left stranded after bad weather in the Lake District. |
| About 2,500 runners were taking part in a two-day mountain marathon near Keswick when they were overcome by high winds, torrential rain and flooding. | About 2,500 runners were taking part in a two-day mountain marathon near Keswick when they were overcome by high winds, torrential rain and flooding. |
| Many sheltered in farms and mines, some camped out overnight but police say 1,700 remain unaccounted for. | Many sheltered in farms and mines, some camped out overnight but police say 1,700 remain unaccounted for. |
| Organisers say all participants will have been prepared to camp out and were well-equipped with tents and food. | Organisers say all participants will have been prepared to camp out and were well-equipped with tents and food. |
| Original Mountain Marathon (OMM) emergency planner Chris Briggs told the BBC News channel those still on the hills should be coping. | Original Mountain Marathon (OMM) emergency planner Chris Briggs told the BBC News channel those still on the hills should be coping. |
| "What we've got here are some very, very experienced fell-runners who are very, very well-equipped, which is gratifying," he said. | "What we've got here are some very, very experienced fell-runners who are very, very well-equipped, which is gratifying," he said. |
| "If they've gone up as they should have been equipped then they should be OK." | "If they've gone up as they should have been equipped then they should be OK." |
| Hypothermia | Hypothermia |
| The event was abandoned at about midday on Saturday as the Original Mountain Marathon was hit by some of the worst weather in its 40-year history. | The event was abandoned at about midday on Saturday as the Original Mountain Marathon was hit by some of the worst weather in its 40-year history. |
| 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 | 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 |
| But the 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. | But the 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. |
| Mountain rescue teams searched the hills until after dark, 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, dealing with 11 casualties, and the Northwest Ambulance Service took about 12 people to hospital with hypothermia and minor injuries. |
| Eight flood warnings are in place across Cumbria, the Environment Agency says. | Eight flood warnings are in place across Cumbria, the Environment Agency says. |
| But weather across the region is expected to improve throughout the day, making the search for others easier. | But weather across the region is expected to improve throughout the day, making the search for others easier. |
| The BBC Weather website has forecast light showers and winds below 30mph for Sunday, very different from the previous day. | The BBC Weather website has forecast light showers and winds below 30mph for Sunday, very different from the previous day. |
| 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". |
| "For anybody lacking experience in what they were doing, it was certainly a dangerous place to be," he added. | "For anybody lacking experience in what they were doing, it was certainly a dangerous place to be," he added. |
| 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 allowed the race to go ahead. | |
| Speaking on Saturday night, he said: "We've overwhelmed the emergency services - the poor mountain rescue are out trying to find people on the side of the mountain, in the dark." | Speaking on Saturday night, he said: "We've overwhelmed the emergency services - the poor mountain rescue are out trying to find people on the side of the mountain, in the dark." |
| The OMM has taken place every year since 1968 at various locations across northern England, north Wales and Scotland. | The OMM has taken place every year since 1968 at various locations across northern England, north Wales and Scotland. |
| According to the race website, the event takes place at the end of October to "to allow weather to enhance the challenge". | According to the race website, the event takes place at the end of October to "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. |
| Organisers defended their decision to stage the event, saying many people did not understand the nature of mountain marathons. | Organisers defended their decision to stage the event, saying many people did not understand the nature of mountain marathons. |
| An article on the organisers' website 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 organisers' website 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. |
| It went on to say they were all well equipped and the vast majority would have made their way down off the hills and found shelter, while those who did not, still had a tent and food. | It went on to say they were all well equipped and the vast majority would have made their way down off the hills and found shelter, while those who did not, still had a tent and food. |
| It advised any worried friends or relatives to look on the Original Mountain Marathon website for the latest updates. | It advised any worried friends or relatives to look on the Original Mountain Marathon website for the latest updates. |
| Many other local facilities also opened their doors overnight to runners. | Many other local facilities also opened their doors overnight to runners. |
| About 400 stayed at Gatesgarth farm, while Glaramara Centre and Cockermouth Sheep and Wool Centre gave refuge to dozens of runners. | About 400 stayed at Gatesgarth farm, while Glaramara Centre and Cockermouth Sheep and Wool Centre gave refuge to dozens of runners. |
| By early Sunday morning, 750 competitors had been accounted for, said Cumbria Police. | By early Sunday morning, 750 competitors had been accounted for, said Cumbria Police. |
| Competitor Adrian Netherwood, who took shelter at Cockermouth School, said he was still quite concerned about friends and colleagues who had not been heard from. | Competitor Adrian Netherwood, who took shelter at Cockermouth School, said he was still quite concerned about friends and colleagues who had not been heard from. |
| "They are all experience fell runners...they have their tents so they will have gone to low ground..so I'm sure they are all ok." | "They are all experience fell runners...they have their tents so they will have gone to low ground..so I'm sure they are all ok." |
| 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. |
| Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the floods? Send us your story using the form below. | Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the floods? Send us your story using the form below. |
| You can also send us your pictures or videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or if you have a large file you can upload here. | You can also send us your pictures or videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or if you have a large file you can upload here. |
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