The Original Mountain Marathon
The Race is Called Off
Rob Howard / 25.10.2008
For the first time in the history of the OMM (and the KIMM) the race has had to be called off due to bad weather. Race Director Jen Longbottom made the decision just before midday after several hours of torrential rain had resulted in extreme conditions on the mountain and severe flooding.
All the rivers very quickly began to burst their banks and even minor becks became foaming torrents. New water courses appeared all over the fell sides and the roads were awash.
There was little choice but to call off the race but with the OMM that is easier said than done. With thousands of competitors scattered across the hills and difficult communications in the area the best that could be done was to contact as many marshals as possible by radio and station more marshals at strategic points to direct all competitors to return to the start/finish area to hand in their Sportident tags, which would help account for everyone.
All the local mountain rescue services (there are 5 covering the course area) and race vehicles were helping ferry competitors back to base and there was a steady line of very wet racers walking back down Honister Pass and along Borrowdale. On hearing the news some were relieved but I saw one team who couldn’t believe it. “We’re gutted,� was their first comment. “We’re absolutely flying today and not in any difficulty, but I guess it has to be. What a disappointment!�
The café on the top of Honister pass was already packed with retreating teams and this was one of the places the announcement of the cancellation was made. Just outside, the mine buildings and car park were underwater and there was such a volume of water on the car park that large new waterfalls were flowing from it down onto the road.
Back down at Seathwaite conditions were already deteriorating rapidly as the valley continued to fill with an immense volume of water. In no time the river had burst its banks and by mid-afternoon fast flowing water filled most of the valley. Soon the roads were closed to traffic as the floods swept across them. Fast moving water several feet deep made the roads impassable and cut off race HQ at Seathwaite and access from Borrowdale. See All Event Posts
