Almost 1,500 people faced 60mph winds and heavy rain over a weekend of mountain running and wild camping in the 53rd Original Mountain Marathon.
Initially planned to go ahead in Langdale last year, organisers were forced to cancel when the event centre was destroyed 24 hours before the competitors arrived by 70mph winds and flash floods.
Despite challenging weather, the race was finally able to go ahead last weekend. Teams of two set out from the start line, where they were handed a map of the 323 square kilometres competition area, covering everywhere from Borrowdale in the north to Coniston in the south and everything in between. Competitors then had to navigate their way across the unmarked hills, trying to find the best route between the 90 checkpoints hidden among the fells. Having covered up to 30 miles of unforgiving terrain, they then found their way to a remote overnight camp where they were able to pitch up and try to recover ready for day two.
Awoken at 6am by the resident piper patrolling between the hundreds of tents; runners had to pack up and head back into the hills once again for another day of wind, rain, low cloud and rough ground before reaching the finish line and a hot cup of tea.
Of the 728 teams that started, 614 managed to complete their courses.
There were many stand out performances across the six possible courses, with a particularly close fight at the front end of the Overall Category in the Elite course.
OMM podium regulars Ali Masson and Dan Ashwood of Carnethy Hill Runners set a blistering pace on Day 1, completing the course in under six hours, thought to be a first in the event’s 53-year history. Day two saw Philip Rutter and Sam Dixon of Helm Hill Runners hot on their heels, with an incredibly close battle across the last few controls. It was the boys from Helm Hill that took the victory, putting almost 10 minutes between themselves and the Carnethy pair.
Helm Hill was well represented on the podium with Victoria Thompson and Janie Oates taking the Women’s Prize in the Elite whilst Megan Fitzpatrick and Bodil Oudshoorn took first in the Long Score.
In the demanding Long Score, mixed team Jasmin Paris and Konrad Rawlik (Carnethy Hill Runners), took the category win and finished second overall.
It was first year that GPS tracking was used.
Organisers thanked the 156 volunteers who helped make the event possible, landowners and stakeholders for their permissions and support, in particular the event centre hosts at Stool End Farm and the overnight camp at Cockley Beck.
The next marathon takes place in North Wales next October.
