Last updated 19:25, Thursday, 30 October 2008

A DARING test of their endurance or an act of foolishness?

The debate into whether the Original Mountain Marathon should have been allowed to take place will no doubt run on longer than even the best-trained athlete.

But, regardless of whether or not this group recklessly put their – and other people’s – lives at risk, what must not be overlooked is the selfless support from the numerous West Cumbrians who rushed to the aid of the stricken runners.

In an awe-inspiring show of strength, communities rallied round to help others in their hour of need, while many left the comfort of their own homes and braved the treacherous conditions to play their part in helping to lead total strangers to safety.

There is no shortage of critics who feel the sensible decision would have been to call off the race before it got under way and the runners had dispersed – let’s face it, no-one can honestly say the dreadful weather wasn’t forecast.

But the people of West Cumbria, from professionals to volunteers, can justifiably be proud of their efforts, without which the consequences could well have been catastrophic.

We can only hope that all those who were rescued continue to follow the lead of some of their fellow athletes by putting their hands in their pockets and helping to pay the very large bill that will have been run up by this major operation.

After all, what price a life?