A Cumbrian Mountain Rescue team has received a financial boost thanks to the efforts of hundreds of trail runners and the decision of Ourea Events.
Kendal-based mountain running company Ourea Events organised last November’s adidas TERREX Kendal Mountain Festival 10K trail run as a not-for-profit race. Once the costs were accounted for, all entry fees were donated to Kendal Mountain Search and Rescue Team, and a grand total of £8,815.74 has now been handed over.
Ourea Events organises a calendar of iconic ultra-running events, including the Montane Dragon’s Back Race, Cape Wrath Ultra and the Silva Northern Traverse and Lakes Traverse. For the first time in 2022, the company was asked to manage the popular 10K trail run during the annual mountain festival, and decided to use the event to support Kendal Mountain Search and Rescue Team.
To maximise the donation, Ourea Events covered the cost of staff time for the race, and runners who entered the 10K could opt to make an additional donation when signing up. As part of the event’s commitment to the safety of runners, Mountain Rescue volunteers were on duty on the day, and some team members were also in the town centre with collection buckets. The 2022 10K was the biggest yet at the festival, and over 750 participants completed the run.
Shane Ohly, of Ourea Events, said: “All of the events that we organise take our participants into the mountains, and we have a real understanding and huge appreciation of the amazing work done by Mountain Rescue volunteers, mostly funded through donations. Event organisers should never take this vital service for granted and we took this opportunity to give something back. I’m delighted that the trail run was a success, but even more that we succeeded in raising so much money for Kendal Mountain Search and Rescue Team. We’re very grateful to Kendal Mountain Festival and adidas Terrex for giving us the opportunity to organise the race, and to everyone who signed up and took part, or supported it in other ways.”
Kath Jackson, team leader of Kendal Mountain Search and Rescue Team, added: “Keeping our team of volunteers ‘rescue ready’ is a costly business and the support from Ourea Events and the trail running community following the Kendal Mountain Festival 10K trail race is warmly welcomed. Without businesses and individuals donating we simply couldn’t be there to attend incidents 24 hours a day year-round. Thank you.”
For news from Ourea Events visit www.oureaevents.com. For more information about Kendal Mountain Search and Rescue Team, visit www.mountain.rescue.org.uk/teams/kendal-mrt. To find out more about Kendal Mountain Festival, visit www.kendalmountainfestival.com.