EAST Lancashire fell runners have described the ‘horrendous’ conditions they faced as torrential rainfall brought chaos to a Lake District endurance race.

Dozens of competitors from Clayton-le-Moors Harriers and Todmorden Harriers set off into the mountains near Keswick early on Saturday morning for the 41st Original Mountain Marathon.

But heavy rain flooded routes between Seathwaite and Gatesgarth, leaving runners stranded and having to cope with swollen rivers and deep mud.

Hundreds of competitors remained unaccounted for as night fell on Saturday after the race was called off for the first time in its 41-year history.

More than 30 runners from East Lancashire took part in the event but it took until yesterday afternoon before it was announced that everyone was safe and well.

Competitors said that they had to cope with 18 hours of torrential rain fall, rivers bursting their banks and gale-force winds which made it difficult to stand up straight.

Andrew Horsfall, 44, of Bacup Road, Todmorden, spent the night in his car with running partner John Wright, also of Bacup Road, and two other competitors, after making it back from the hillside to find the road from the starting point at Seathwaite campsite had flooded.

He said: “I have been fell running for a lot of years and these were the worst conditions I have ever encountered in any race.

"The swelling in the rivers was just horrendous, and the wind was so strong we were walking at 45 degrees to the ground.

“When we got near to the final checkpoint, the bridge over the river was completely submerged, but there was a real camaraderie and eight of us linked arms or grabbed each others rucksacks to get across all at once.

“We had no choice but to stay in the car – it was ankle-deep in mud and the road was flooded. There was 18 hours of solid, torrential rain.

“I know people have already been criticising the organisers, but it is an endurance and navigation race, that’s why it’s held so late in the season, and everyone who takes part should have everything they need for any eventuality over the thee days.

“I understand why it had to be cancelled - carrying on would have put mountain rescue teams at risk, but to be honest I was disappointed.”

The Original Mountain Marathon, which is held at different locations around Britain each year, is known as the toughest event of its kind.

It is organised by Rossendale woman Jen Longbottom and Mike Parsons.

At first, it was known as the Karrimor Mountain Marathon, linking it with the Accrington outdoor equipment company, which was run by the pair, but changed its name after the firm was sold.

Runners who reached the first night’s campsite found it was flooded, and were directed five miles back to Seathwaite, along the steep Honister Pass, but later that became impassable too.

This meant hundreds spent the night in barns on the hillside, or were taken to a rescue centre at Cockermouth School.

Around 13 people were taken to hospital suffering hypothermia or other minor injuries.

Trawden couple Barbara Savage, 44, and Neil Hardyman, 40, of Hollin Hall, set off early and made it out of Seathwaite before the road flooded too badly.

Mrs Savage said: “Neil had done it three times before but this was my first go – it was an eventful weekend, to say the least!

“When we set off it was fine, but as soon as we had started the first climb it started raining and just kept getting heavier. we could hardly stand up for the wind.

"It was awful, and a lot of people turned back, but I’m glad we did it and I’ll definitely have another go next time.”

Paul Thompson, 57, of Print Shop Lane, Darwen, also made it back on Saturday afternoon.

He said: “There’s no mobile signal up there, but I started getting concerned text messages from people when we got into Keswick and I was really surprised that they knew anything about it.

"Bad conditions are what the marathon’s all about, and everyone who takes part knows what they are letting themselves in for.”