Interesting article on Etape Caledonia

Errr, this is common knowledge round here, I'm a bit surprised if many entrants weren't aware of it. And I'm a bit bemused at the idea that value for money depends on how rich the recipient is - are we supposed to shop at whichever supermarket makes the smallest profit? I suppose in Guardianworld maybe we are, but I personally have no moral objection to a business making a profit if it does so by providing goods or services that I consider worth paying for.
I participate in the Etape Cal for my own satisfaction, and I give money to causes that I consider worth supporting entirely independently of this.
As with most "premium" products, it is highly unlikely you are getting twice the benefit when you pay twice the price: I am prepared to pay the high entry fee because I feel it is worth it for what I get out of it - that's all.

But actually I am somewhat inclined to agree with the overall point: you have to wonder how much benefit MacMillan, and now Marie Curie, have got out of the Etape C over the years. I have always presumed, as the guardian is implying, that charity status is an afterthought to a commercial event, which raises the question: why can't a charity run its own event and buy in event management on its own terms?