THE NEW Year's Day 10k in Kendal wascalled off because of the wintry weather on Monday.

In therace's 20-year history it was the second time the event has had to becancelled.

Snow forced it off five years ago and this year'sevent faced a similar scenario.

Organiser Peter Aclandsaid:"It got to Friday and because the weather forecast was for it to befrostbound until New Year's Eve and then blizzards, we decided then tocancel, to help people make alternative New Yeararrangements."

Apologies were made to around 20 people - thefarthest from Colne in Lancashire - still turned up at the raceheadquarters at Kendal RUFC, despite announcements through the local mediaand a pre-recorded message on the entry-form telephone number and on thefront page of the Kendal AC website.

"It had thawed a bit,"said Peter "but if anything it was more dangerous than when it wassnowing.

"Coming down from Skelsmergh Church on the bend toShap Road it was very slippery.

"We've had to get smarter andsmarter on safety matters and in the claim culture of the present times wehad to play if safe."