A blight on the landscape - Mass organised events

This weekend I was walking with my  family on Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales and was somewhat saddened by the en mass spectacle of the Yorkshire 3 peaks Mountain Marathon. 

Now, as a provider of organised Mountain Challenges I understand the inevitable problems and the for's and against's of organised charity treks, and if truth be known would rather not lead the so-called 'classic 3 peaks' type challenges in favor of more remote, less frequented and altogether more pleasant mountain adventures.

On the for side I recognise the need for charities to set known and reputed trophy peaks as this allows their punters to target friends and family with known events and percieved levels of difficulty, but I do think that 1000+ people dragging their fluorescent lycra clad emaciated bodies over the Yorkshire 3 peaks on a busy Saturday shows a blatant lack of respect for other hill walkers and little concern for the upkeep and maintenance of our already greatly eroded mountain trails.

My points

1.  Why pick the busiest 3 peaks in England for a running challenge? there are plenty of less frequented and less eroded hills nearby!

2.  Why pick a Saturday? If its a once a year event why not run it over a week day (Im sure a day off work is not a major problem for the runners)

3.  It is very very inconsiderate to other mountain users to send over a thousand runners up and down narrow busy trails! why not limit the numbers and hold it over a few days as it is a timed event not a race?

4.  Would it not be possible to teach the less polite and probably 'non hill etiquette' aware element of the runners some simple manners? Excuse me? To go round walkers? to wait their turn at gates and turn-styles etc? (One even pushed Kath out of the way on a rather rocky section with no regard for anyones personal safety)

5.  If they are all fell runners why not make the route avoid the traditional trade routes?

6.  These people do little for the local economy and take a lot out of the environment! 'in my considered opinion'

Rant over!