Battling the elements is half the fun- isnt it?

A lot of fuss has been kicked up in the media this week after the Original Mountain Marathon in the Lake District was cancelled several hours into the race because of adverse weather. The race organisers are being critcised for letting the race start in the first place, but I think this is completely misjudging the spirit of such events. Fell runners who sign up for the race are experienced mountaineers and are expecting to withstand the tough conditions of a two-day outdoor race in the unpredictable British weather, carrying all their own camping equipment and food, and climbing some 2500m in the process. I've always believed that one of the personality traits which trail runners and endurance runners share is an element of masochism, and surviving against extreme challenges is one of the biggest sources of satisfaction. Of course when things get ridiculous (as in the pictures we've now seen of racers up to the waist in muddy water) events will be stopped, but who can blame the organisers and competitors for being optimistic and giving it a shot? What worries me about all the fuss is that it would be really sad if organisers were too scared to run extreme events for fear of criticism and attracting the health and safety police. If this event is classed as too dangerous, where would the line be drawn? What about ultramarathons across exposed moors? At some point shouldn't it be accepted that individuals are responsible for their own actions and it is up to them to choose whether to take part or not, not the organisers?