Some of my friends did the event which looked great fun and i am even more gutted i couldnt join due to old knee injury . They were completely prepared for the weather. It may have been way worse than they expected but they have done many such races and that is the whole point -to challenge yourself

david spencer, esher, uk

My friends did the race and i am gutted i was injured so missed out. It looked great fun. My friends, like 99% of those entering any sleepmonsters event know the risks(small)and are totally prepared for bad weather. It was a walk in the park - just a bit wetter and windier than expected:-) Well done

david spencer, esher, uk

Emergency services do a good job in rescuing people who need it but here it does not appear that they were needed. If someone tried to charge me for my "rescue" I'd be tempted to say that I never requested nor needed to be rescued so stop wasting my time, yours and taxpayer money.

Greg, Hong Kong, PRC

Did anybody actually have to be rescued? It's not clear from the reports.

Frank Upton, Solihull,

If my mother had wheels she'd be bicycle ... no one got hurt and it was adults who took the decision to expose themselves to the event, not brainwashed children.

Too much 'after-the-event' retrospection by people some critics who have never gone anywhere near the arena.

Michael BROWN, BIRMINGHAM, UK

I am a regular in the OMM. We completed day 1 in under 4 hours and were really disappointed not to be able to continue. The point of the event is self-reliance, team work, endurance and the application of outdoorsmanship! We all know what we are doing and have the right kit. What an over-reaction!

Fraser, London, UK

I camp and walk in the Lakes all winter,Like the fell runners, My gear cost me a fortune but I'm always warm and dry.I would be very unhappy if after months of training for the race some one called it off because of bad weather. It is the runners choice to go out, they are not forced! most enjoy it

Mark, Market Harborough, Leicestershire

Fuss about nothing. These people were well equipped both mentally and physically to deal with the conditions - and they were volunteers. As for the rescue - I bet there are far more rescues of stupid hill walkers, ill equipped sailors etc etc. Do they have to pay ?? I think not.

John, Ex Pat, Bangkok, Thailand

Fantastic "Just a bit of wind", the chap/lady who said that is a proper runner, good show of the old British grit.

Chris, Rochdale, UK

We wish Mountain Rescue were paid for by the taxpayer, like fire and ambulance emergency services who they often assist. Sadly they are supported by voluntary public donation only, which severely restricts the service they can offer, and all members are volunteers who give up their free time.

anna, Kendal, Cumbria, uk

"but let them ( or the organizers) sign a contract beforehand that they will pay for any rescue necessary, and NOT lay the cost on the taxpayer"

Ok if this is the case can we expect all those out getting drunk at the weekends and cost the NHS and police etc. to sign a contract and pay up!

Paul , Coventry,

Please stop this hysterical nonsense! These experienced, mature adults decided for themselves to take part AND NO-ONE DIED!

Presumably, these panickers would like the fells to be fenced off, and ladders installed!

Mike, Lancaster, UK

The media coverage of this non-emergency (with fewer injuries and hospitalisations than in many years with better weather) by the media has been nothing short of disgraceful; and exhibits a total lack of understanding of individuals who have enough drive not to opt for a wholly sedentary lifestyle.

Peter Thomas, London,

The new ethos: everyone should be wrapped in cotton wool from cradle to grave. My first serious hike-4 days through the Smoky Mountains, was when I was 11 years old. I can see the jaws of the cotton-wool crowd dropping from here. You precious snowflakes are missing out on more than you realise.

Scot Danner, Dubai, UAE

I applaud the outdoor adventure enthusiasts for taking up the challenge - of both the terrain and the weather conditions. Cost of the mountain rescue support? The taxpayer should be pleased to support events when things go awry, to encourage more people to get fit and get out there!

Mike Rooke, Sandown, United Kingdom

Why should this be an issue at all? Are people not allowed to take part in a risky activity if they want to? The event was an adventure race based in self-reliance and the ability to survive difficult conditions, not a guided tour through the meadows in a car made of clouds and cotton candy.

Scott, Tokyo,

No problem with competitors being confident they are up to it, but let them ( or the organizers) sign a contract beforehand that they will pay for any rescue necessary, and NOT lay the cost on the taxpayer who feels perhaps (in their ignorance!) that due notice was not taken of weather warnings.

Sarah, Vicopisano, Italy

I liked the comment of one competitor that if the mountain rescue services were stretched it was because half their members were actually doing the race ...

Jonathan Sydenham, Allerød, Denmark

I understand the people taking part - they know what the risks are and allow for it. When I used to go sailing across the north sea in my sailing yacht I knew the risks and once out of sight of land I knew I had to prepare well unlike the round the world yachties with immense backup.

John Wilson, Castleford, UK

One should never tempt Mother Nature. Just because "no one got hurt" doesn't mean that no one could have gotten hurt or worse. Anyone who really has a respect for the forces of nature knows better than to push the envelope unnecessarily.
Just ask all those tourists who have died on Everest...

Lynne E. Calvin, Harrisonville, MO, usa

All were savced so its a lot to do about nothing... I THINK NOT. This could have turned into a mass accident for all .

arnold gold, laguna hils , united states

England and Scotland have weather that could kill an unprepared person. Thankfully, this was a group of people with proper clothing and gear, water, and sustenance. Next time, give one in ten competitors cell phones that can be monitored for use, and/or homing devices on every person's belt.

Al, Toronto, Canada

Top of Honister pass was much nicer before that money grubbing lot at the slate mine moved in.

Just because most people prefer drinking themselves into the state of a mentally damaged two year old every weekend doesn't mean everyone else is just as useless and pathetic.

Jack Thomas, Peterborough, Great Britain

I've been to the Lake District, and it's rugged and everything, and it can be dangerous... But come on. It's England, not Siberia. I like how many of the people stayed in "hostels" and "tourist attractions." Try taking a nice race across the mountains out in Washington State.

Jonah, Windershmere, USA

What a lot of fuss about nothing, the competitors were properly equipped for the challenge, properly experienced and properly briefed.

Despite all the scaremongering all have returned safely albeit a few have minor injuries or conditions but no more than would be expected in any large gathering.

Chris Wilson, Kent,