Perhaps someone who feels strongly enough could set up their own competing award.
Someone who feels strongly enough just wouldn't claim a February event for a January RRTY
I don't think anyone would seriously argue Mike and Steve have a duty of care to people participating in the RRTY etc. As you imply, any duty of care (if any) would most likely fall on the organiser.
I don't feel I have a duty of care, both as the RRTY administrator, nor as the Organiser of the Winter Solstice (which I DIDN'T cancel). I would hide behind the "it's up to the rider not to make the wrong decision about cycling" clause. Having said that, there were 4 riders out doing the Winter Solstice and I couldn't feel easy about this until I'd heard that they had arrived safely back. I was in no position to reach any cyclist in trouble, so they were on their own, but it's still me who has to fill in the accident reports. (None needed!) These were my friends out there so of course my heart was in my mouth.
So riders perhaps have a duty of care to ME, not to put me to unnecessary distress?
I remember a fell race hitting the main national news, was it early in 2009? Lots of runners were lost in the wilds during dreadful weather conditions, but it later transpired that all were were safe, were well equipped, and had taken suitable shelter where necessary. I don't want to be castigated on the national news for sending cyclists out in an unprecedented prolonged icy spell. Audax UK doesn't want that sort of headlines. Of course, I would shrug my shoulders and say that I'd given these cyclists every opportunity to NOT ride, so the folly (if any) is theirs not mine.
I think it is to everyone's credit that there was no hint of such a story, over this winter and during LEL, you know the sort of thing ....
Hundreds of cyclists lost in the floods of Eskdalemuir!
Fortunately, I've only heard of one casualty of the January weather (John Radford) who slipped in the first 2km of his DIY 200.