What is this spirit of which they talk? It is certainly not the spirit that immediate members of my family see from well over 35 years in the sport. The sport has changed, unfortunately due to modern life it cannot be as free spirited as it once was. Alot of people want things now, they need to know what they are doing in 3, 4 ,5 months time. Massive pre-entry is not in the old spirit but maybe there is a new spirit.
Such spirit is not tangible and easily defined. Nor should it be.
Things change but not necessarily for the better. Sometimes things go in circles, die off and regenerate. Look at the age of fell runners. At some point, race numbers will plummet, races die off etc and then some enthusiastic young person will re-invent a race and off we go again.

Fell running is not solely defined by races. A lot of legwork goes into the training and maybe that is where the carefree aspect lies. With insurances, regulations, rules comes accountability which is not good ground for free spirit.

In the next hour or so, I will be off for a run around the Dunnerdales and Coniston range. I don't know how long I'll be nor do I care so long as I have the energy. Whatever the weather, I will enjoy it. It may help with a race or challenge but more importantly it will keep my body, mind and spirit in good order.Its as free spirited as I can get.

I too could give countless examples of carefree, free spirited events. BUT that was as a green participant in the 70s and 80s who had no idea what the organiser had to put up with or worry about. Rose tinted spectacles have to replaced from time to time with magnified clear ones.