A MOUNTAIN rescue team leader has praised event organisers following a successful challenge event.
Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team supported the Samworth Brothers Charity Challenge 2009 held around Coniston on Saturday.
Team leader Mike Margieson said good organisation meant competitors completed the challenge safely despite the unseasonably cold weather.
The 160-plus competitors from Samworth Brothers, a food manufacturing company and its associated firms, also raised £12,500 for Duddon and Furness MRT.
The 42 teams of four members ran under names such as Ginsters Starmixers, Waitrose Wanderers and Sugar Puffs Destroyers (British Sugar).
Mr Margieson said: “Crucially this gruelling 12-hour triathlon was well-planned, well-run and completely organised. “But then it had to be. Competitors walked over Wetherlam and Coniston Old Man in cold, wet conditions, paddled on Coniston Water in open canoes and pedalled through Grisedale Forest on mountain bikes.
“They also abseiled into the depths of Hodge Close quarry, each team descending the rock face on four ropes alongside each other.
“There was no margin for error, but everything went to plan when a host of things could have gone wrong.
“The programme could not be faulted and the organisers, Distant Horizons, an outdoor centre from Ullswater, paid close attentions to details.
“If this had not been the case it could have been another Lake District mountain-based venture to hit the headlines for the wrong reasons – like the Original Mountain Marathon last October when atrocious weather endangered the lives of 2,500 runners.
“The fact the Duddon and Furness MRT has received £12,500 for giving assistance on the day says a great deal.
“Previously we have found supporting charity events like this to be a thankless task. The team have been left to pick up the bits and pieces. Rarely has any financial contribution been made.
“This was different. Even the chief executive of Samworth, Brian Stein was here (he did the abseil into Hodge Close).
“So that organisation and the manpower was essential for safety. It’s also good to see the involvement and advice being taken from local MRTs rather than calling them in to deal with the aftermath.
The £12,500 will go towards buying a much-needed replacement Land Rover for the team.
Coniston MRT meanwhile will receive the same amount next Saturday when it is their turn to support the second part of the two-day event.
And Coniston First Responders are to receive £7000 for their help.
It is also estimated the runners will have added at least £50,000 to the local economy for B&B and hotel accommodation, plus other spending over the weekend.
The race took place on the same weekend eight people were airlifted to Bangor hospital and another 25 helped to safety during the 22-mile Welsh 1000m Peaks Race.
The event had been due to finish on the summit of Snowdon, but was later called off.
Mr Margieson, who lives in Kirkby, added: “That same fate but for the grace of God could also have been the outcome of Saturday’s Samworth Brothers Charity Challenge event.
“An extremely deep depression came through the Lake District on Saturday. It was very windy, and unusually cold for this time of year.
“The highest tops had snow on Helvellyn and Skiddaw and the Pennines on Saturday morning. On the Coniston side of the Lakes conditions were still inclement.
“But the excellent back-up helped thing run to plan.
“I just think that with the number of different outdoor mountain-based events, like triathlons, it’s absolutely great to see one so well organised, well structured and giving money back to the local communities.”
All competitors returned to base at Coniston Sports Club with virtually no MRT incidents.
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