Aside from the fact this will be seen by most as a wind up.
Is there a serious need to consider this for environmental reason. Posts on this thread often talk about how trods or unmarked ways are now worn to motorway proportions. Also though I appreciate it is a substantial challenge has it become overly popular?
An option could be to say that times will not be recognised from say 2013 to 2018. To give things to recover, I appreciate that many paths will still be used as part of other routes and some people will still do it, but if it is not recognised it will not have the same kudos.
People who want to do it can still do it in the future and those who feel it will be to late in 2017 will have 2 years to do it.
This could also apply to other races - the FRA could organise a rolling programme of races in overused areas that could be rested for periods of time.
Worth serious consideration?