1,500 Runners Missing in Mountain Floods - All Safe at Home Tonight

' rel="nofollow">http://news.bbc.co.uk/...land/cumbria/7691893.stm"] Organisers of a Lake District run had been warned about concerns over treacherous weather conditions before the event, a senior officer has said.

Cumbria Police Supt Gary Slater told the BBC the organisers were experienced but he was "disappointed" the Original Mountain Marathon went ahead.

A major rescue effort was mounted and all 2,500 participants were found safe.

However, those connected with the event claimed the severity of the situation had been blown out of proportion.

Thirteen competitors, suffering a range of problems from hypothermia to head injuries, were treated by Cumbrian Hospitals.

A spokeswoman for Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle said most had been discharged.

One of the first rescuers on the scene had claimed the area could have been turned into a "morgue".

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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.

Many sheltered in farms and mines and some camped out overnight but police say 1,700 remain unaccounted for.

Organisers say participants will have been 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.

"What we've got here are some very, very experienced fell-runners who are very, very well-equipped, which is gratifying," he said.

ORIGINAL MOUNTAIN MARATHON Two-day mountain marathon Event started in 1968 Past venues in northern England, North Wales and Scotland Course length of up to 49.6 miles

"If they've gone up as they should have been equipped then they should be OK."

Organisers, meanwhile, are appealing for runners who have left the area to get in touch as there are still numbers of teams unaccounted for.

As the search resumed on Sunday morning, Cumbria police called in an helicopter from RAF Kinloss.

Insp Ian Clark said mountain rescue teams are still combing the area searching for runners.

Hypothermia

The OMM was abandoned at about midday on Saturday as the event hit by some of the worst weather in its 40-year history.

It has taken place every year since 1968 at various locations across northern England, north Wales and Scotland.

According to the race website, the end of October is chosen 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.

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.

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.

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".

"For anybody lacking experience in what they were doing, it was certainly a dangerous place to be," he added.

Another competitor Jules Carter defended the event.

"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.

Hundreds of people taking part in a run in the Lake District near Keswick have been stranded by flooding and torrential rain.

The runners were taking part in the Original Mountain Marathon (OMM) run when they were overcome by the weather.

Honister Slate Mine manager Mark Weir said he was sheltering 300 of them and some were suffering from hypothermia.

Mountain rescue teams have dealt with 11 casualties and say they have no idea whether any more are stranded.

Cumbria Police said competitors spending the night on the mountain were mainly seasoned mountaineers, and were expected to be carrying suitable equipment to cope with adverse weather.

The Environment Agency said rainfall overnight should not be as heavy as had been expected.

About 12 people have been taking to hospital with hypothermia and minor injuries, Northwest Ambulance Service said.