OMM in Borrowdale!

[compo]

Agree pretty much entirely with Zlod's sentiments a few posts further up. The decision to go ahead on Saturday gave many of the competitors one of the most memorable days in the mountains they will ever have. I saw things on Saturday that I will probably never see again and it was a great experience.

The last hour or so before reaching the midway camp was particularly memorable, and Zlod and I were getting ourselves prepared for the prospect of 18 fairly miserable hours at camp. For the record we got round the (shortened) Elite course in a bit over 4 hours 30 minutes.

The severity of the weather meant that abandoning it was probably the only viable option to take. The walk back over Honister was the toughest part of the day.

We were smug getting back to the FRCC hut in Rosthwaite and looking forward to an evening in the pub. The smugness quickly evaporated when we saw a stream flowing through the Scafell hotel bar. The most amazing aspect of a quite extraordinary weekend was the fact that my flooded car started on Sunday morning - testament to German engineering.

As has been mentioned repeatedly the reporting in the mainstream media has been wildly inaccurate. I think they were looking for a story which made a change from the usual credit crunch, political shenanigans etc. Anyway collectively we knocked Peter Mandelson off top spot in the news which can't be bad...

The organisers, marshals competitors and everyone involved showed the sort of initiative and perseverance that the OMM is all about. Long live the OMM!

[Purpleplodder]

Mr Wier says this Mr Weir says that...*&@&$£!!!!!!

What a self important ......

OK what are the FRA doing to answer all these idiotic TV and Press stories. They are our governing body and represent us so come on FRA time to put out the facts and the true reflection of our sport officially.

I don't think it would be in the FRA's best interests to get involved.
The OMM isn't in the FRA calendar, so I can only assume they get their insurance elsewhere.

If the FRA were concerned about the future of other events in the light of this, then of course the matter should raise some discussion and probably will at the AGM, along with the cancellation of the Mountain Trial and the Ian Hodgson Relay.

But the same hills and runners will still be there next year, we've just had an unlucky run with bad weather.

I don't think that an 'official comment' from the FRA will change anything I'm afraid. Neither do I give a rats ass what the rest of country thinks of our sport. But then I don't know much about medieval re-enactments, tiddly winks or synchronised swimming and would probably have just as bad an impression of these pasttimes as joe public currently does about fell running.

And with that entry fee the OMM is not what I would class as a fell race anyway! Somebody, somewhere was making money out of it. I wouldn't lose any sleep if it goes by the wayside.

[daz h]

I don't think it would be in the FRA's best interests to get involved.
The OMM isn't in the FRA calendar, so I can only assume they get their insurance elsewhere.

If the FRA were concerned about the future of other events in the light of this, then of course the matter should raise some discussion and probably will at the AGM, along with the cancellation of the Mountain Trial and the Ian Hodgson Relay.

But the same hills and runners will still be there next year, we've just had an unlucky run with bad weather.

I don't think that an 'official comment' from the FRA will change anything I'm afraid. Neither do I give a rats ass what the rest of country thinks of our sport. But then I don't know much about medieval re-enactments, tiddly winks or synchronised swimming and would probably have just as bad an impression of these pasttimes as joe public currently does about fell running.

And with that entry fee the OMM is not what I would class as a fell race anyway! Somebody, somewhere was making money out of it. I wouldn't lose any sleep if it goes by the wayside.

Thats twice joe public has been mentioned.
I feel a bit the same about the OMM, I dont think the FRA should be involved either.

[Blanche]

Sorry if I've missed anything already on this thread but does anyone know how many people were actually 'rescued'? (off the fells I mean, not in terms of having their cars towed)
So far, the only reliable report I've heard was a competitor helping a guy with a broken ankle, I've not heard anything really about MRT's active role.
(Genuine question, no agenda)

[Flightless Bird]

Sorry if I've missed anything already on this thread but does anyone know how many people were actually 'rescued'? (off the fells I mean, not in terms of having their cars towed)
So far, the only reliable report I've heard was a competitor helping a guy with a broken ankle, I've not heard anything really about MRT's active role.
(Genuine question, no agenda)

Blanche,

According to one acrticle I have read, 11 people were helped by MR and 12 were taken to hospital.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/7691020.stm

[Boy Wonder]

At last some sense, from the Daily Mash

RUNNING STUPID

Piss off

RUNNING for any distance greater than five metres is stupid, it was confirmed last night.

As more than 2500 people in shorts and a vest had to be rescued from a mountain in the middle of a storm, experts warned that running had never been more pointless.

Dr Tom Logan, of the Institute for Studies, said: "Thousands of years ago our ancestors had no choice but to run after cows or away from dinosaurs.

"But now we have mopeds and hatchbacks. Neither of which involve stupid, overpriced shoes and thinking you're better than me.

"But you just have to put on your Lycra and your wraparound sunglasses and do all your stretching because if you don't you could pull a muscle and then you'd have to limp around the office and tell everyone how not being able to go for a run is driving you crazy.

"Well I hope you do pull a muscle, and I hope it does drive you crazy and you end up in a huge mental hospital rubbing custard into your scalp and drinking your own piss."

Dr Logan added: "And then there's those people who meet up in a pub and go for a jog and then come back to the pub and drink orange squash and stand around stewing in their own stench.

"I really must conduct some research to find out if there is actually a more detestable collection of bastards."



http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport/...-200810271353/

[Blanche]

Ta FB. I'd missed that. So not '1000s' then. Whilst it's arguable that any rescue is one too many, I'd say that 11 and 12 (I wonder how many are the same person) isn't bad given the numbers, conditions and the usual MRT weekend call-outs.

[Wheeze]

Its going to be discussed on Jeremy Vine. Will someone sensible who was there PLEASE call up to ensure that a true picture is given?

Mindyou, 'most' people think that fellruners are mad, so maybe we should just take it on the chin.

[IanDarkpeak]

Blanche,

According to one acrticle I have read, 11 people were helped by MR and 12 were taken to hospital.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/7691020.stm

Given 2000 entrants over rough terrain very small numbers. How does this compare to other big events in dryer weather.

How many footballers or rugby players end up in hospital with injuries on any given Saturday/Sunday for a similar number of competitors bearing in mind they only play for 90 minutes, just curious?

My last post on the subject........ maybe

[codramble]

Being a well known fair weather runner,climber etc my anxiety levels reached a new highduring Saturday but we dibbed into the Day One finish in good order, with the largest amount of kit I have ever carried incl. Goretex bivvi bag)and without too many incidents except for a couple of falls and my aprtner's sleeping mat going for a sail down a stream (recovered). We too suffered the fate of all the King's Men up and down the Honister a few times but that was understandable in the rapidly changing situation. The organisation of the OMM was tested and came out with flying colours. The decision to go ahead must have a nerve testing matter of very fine judgement and I now think that they were right in going ahead within the tradition of the event. After all, you can drop out at the start or soon into the event as many did.
The relative silence of the media on Monday after the event says it all - "What was all the fuss about?" (or was just that it was a slow news weekend?). There were problems and they were all sorted.