Runners donate cash to rescuers

Scores of rescuers were involved in the search operation

Marathon runners who sparked a huge rescue operation in the Lake District have donated more than £6,000 to thank volunteers who helped them.

The Original Mountain Marathon (OMM) endurance race was called off due to treacherous weather, within hours of competitors setting off on Saturday.

All 2,500 entrants were accounted for, but not before hundreds of thousands of pounds was spent by emergency services.

Now grateful runners have donated £6,250 to the 12 mountain rescue teams.

During the aborted event hundreds of OMM competitors were forced to take refuge in barns and other shelters when a month's rain fell in one day.

'Positive outcome'

Police, mountain rescuers and RAF crews spent hours searching for competitors who were scattered across dozens of miles of Cumbrian countryside.

Organisers of the event have been criticised for not calling off the marathon sooner and for the cost of the rescue operation.

The Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association (LDSAMRA) thanked the 188 people who had donated money online.

A spokesman said: "There has been a lot of criticism related to this year's OMM and it is good to be able to acknowledge an extremely positive outcome.

"The comments from the donors on the Justgiving web site are very much appreciated."