Press Release

British Red Cross volunteers deployed following Cumbria Marathon incident

26 October 2008

British Red Cross volunteers have been responding after high winds and flooding left athletes stranded in the Lake District after the ‘Original Mountain Marathon’ was called off on Saturday (25/10/08).

A total of 12 Red Cross volunteers from across Cumbria, working with the local authorities and the emergency services, have been working through the night providing practical and emotional support at a rest centre at Cockermouth Secondary School set up by Cumbria County Council.

British Red Cross Senior Services Manager Martin Huitson, said: “Our volunteers worked tirelessly through the night. Our role has been to offer practical and emotional support to the athletes at the rest centre and this has ranged from handing out blankets to many of those who were extremely cold to taking care of a woman who suffered a fit during the night.”

Approximately 2,500 runners were taking part in the two-day event near Keswick in Cumbria before it was called off. Many took shelter in farms and mines overnight and about 1,700 camped out.

A second team of 12 Red Cross volunteers were deployed to attend a second rest centre in Keswick but were later stood down.