Early Report from OMM

 

RACE ABANDONED

 

For the first time in 40 years the Original Mountain Marathon (formerly KIMM) was abandoned on Day 1 of the 2 day event. The event was taking place in Borrowdale (Lake District) on exposed high land with visibility on the tops down to 5-10 metres.

 

The event was covered in detail on the Saturday evening BBC news channel for all the wrong reasons. Several Harriers were taking part and we await news of how they have fared:

Helen Rutter & Liz Green

Chris Kelsey & partner

Helen Kelsey & son Ben Kelsey

Gary Tubridy & Norman Wright

 

Fortunately all are experienced orienteers and mountain marathoners with everyone having competed in several if not over 10 OMM events including some in bad conditions in previous years.

 

The event website carries dramatic video clips and photo gallery images. Conditions for those that started at 8.00am were dry but gale force, but by mid-morning (most Harriers were timed to start at 10.00am) the rain had set in. A number of competitors have been taken to hospital for hypothermia checks.

 

See http://www.sleepmonsters.co.uk/racereport.php?race_id=6846