I did it 8 or 9 times in the past, but I'm glad I wasn't there last weekend - we would have been in Langdale if the forecast hadn't put us off. The media went totally over the top about it of course, getting totally inappropriate stuff all through the stories. The fell rescue teams don't object to mountain marathons - many of the members take part, and when conditions are really bad, it's great training. The people who take part are mostly fit, having great equipment (compulsory under the race rules) and are very knowledgeable and experienced.
Mobile reception is terrible all over the Lake District because the aerials are mostly banned in the National Park, so all the "missing people" know exactly where they are - they're just out of touching. The entire crowd goes "missing" every year - that's the whole point!

Ray