Runners plan their route in the event

Conditions described by organisers as ‘brutal’ led to a fifth of competitors retiring early from the 50th Original Mountain Marathon.

The event was held over two days in the Lake District, with teams of two runners facing 60mph winds and minimal visibility on the fell tops.

Shane Ohly and Duncan Archer won the elite category, with Steve Birkenshaw and Andrew Berry second and Tom Gibbs and Paul Tierney in third place.

Saturday morning’s blue skies gave way to driving rain and high winds. By the end of the first day’s racing on Saturday, only seven teams had finished the elite course. Ohly said it was the hardest first day he had ever encountered.

The only all-female team of Nicky Spinks and Kirsty Hewitson made it to checkpoint 10 near Wasdale before deciding to call it a day. They said they felt strong but the conditions had slowed them down and they realised they weren’t going to make it to the overnight camp before the cut-off time so elected to return to the event centre, arriving back around midnight.

Organisers said: “The event promotes self-reliance and having the skills required in the mountains. It provides the opportunity for competitors to test their navigation, route selection and kit-management skills within the safety net provided by the organisers.

Competitors light up the Lake District in their camp

“Sound mountain judgement is a fundamental principal of the OMM event. The teams all carry tents, sleeping bags and dry kit and are expected to adjust their route and kit selection to match the conditions and terrain they’re heading into.

“The event is meant to be hard and make the competitors think about their actions in the mountains.”

The overnight camp at Cockley Beck. The second day began under perfect weather conditions, allowing competitors to easily pick up their required checkpoints and make their way to the finish back at Stool End Farm.

Runners head off into the Lakeland mountains

OMM organisers said: “It’s been a fantastic event. We’ve had challenging courses and conditions in line with the challenge the event has offered for 50 years.

“It’s also been great to see the OMM community stronger than ever after this many events. We’ve had long-retired OMM competitors come back to give it one more bash.

“Seeing the long-time competitors stood alongside the first timers is proof that the mountain marathon community is growing and has an exciting future.”

In the score events the long score was won by Nick Barrable and Darrel High while the first women’s team of Claire Gordon and Sarah O’Neil finished in 16th place.

Next year’s Original Mountain Marathon will be held in the South-West of England on 27 and 28 October. The exact location will be revealed shortly before the event.