last updated: Monday 27 October 2008, 14:54pm

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Organiser defends decision to start marathon

Plunge pool in the Lake District

The director of a marathon, which saw hundreds of competitors stranded because of floods, has defended her decision to start the race.

The majority of the 2,500 entrants camped overnight in the Lake District when the two-day race was abandoned on Saturday after nearly a month's rain fell in the area in 24 hours.

Original Mountain Marathon race director Jen Longbottom said 'What you must appreciate is that these people are equipped for two days out in the field.

'They are carrying sleeping bags, tents, survival gear and they have rations for 36 hours. They are not day walkers going out with small rucksacks. They are capable of looking after themselves.

'People are thinking we are bunch of amateurs who were taking school kids out on the hills. These are not school kids. A lot of them are in their 40s and 50s who are responsible people such as doctors and lawyers.

'They have had many many years of mountaineering and walking in the UK and the Alps. They are an experienced bunch of guys.'

More than 1,700 people were officially unaccounted for on Saturday night but that number fell to just 44 and then 14 as a helicopter from RAF Valley in Anglesey assisted police and mountain rescue teams in the search in Keswick.

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