Graham, I'm not putting arguments into your mouth. I'm just stating my point of view and trying to illustrate it. These forum debates are better if we resist the urge to personalise issues. Virtually all of my racing occurs on new or relatively new routes in Wales, well away from the 'cradle' of traditional fell running so my views are not formed from an idealised attachment to the old school races. That being said, I will admit I rarely compete in fields larger than 100.
Mud, I abhor the Satans spawn that is the Daily Mail....I would rather read the Sun. At least it is honestly trashy. My info re: the Holocaust comes from someone who is a senior educational manager.
End, you are right, I was very closely involved in the death of a runner. Its an episode I have detailed on the forum before (and alluded to in this thread....she would have never got into trouble if she had the ability to run on one single compass bearing as did others, myself included).