Originally Posted by
Fellhound
First of all, don't take this as an attack on the organiser (it's not) but everyone assumes the above. Why are you "in the poo"? The organiser is organising an adventurous event over difficult terrain in winter conditions. All he needs to do is demonstrate he's taken all reasonable steps to make the event as safe as it can be, given it's nature. I the case of ice, the organiser only needs to make all runners aware of the conditions and the risk and perhaps recommend some precautions (eg orienteering shoes with metal dobs would massively reduce the risk). Don't have any? Well then, the decision on whether YOU should run or not is YOURS as an individual.
All off-road events have hazards; hidden holes, rocks to trip over, slippery grass and mud. It's part of the game.
If the current trend towards nannying and over-cautiousness continues it will be the death of organised fell-races and then all we'll have left will be unofficial 'underground' events...... actually that might not be a bad thing.
PS - I work as a Safety Advisor....