Sir, – I wholeheartedly agree with Ian O’Riordan’s view that Dublin should be adding more of the city to the marathon route, not taking away from it (Sport, Analysis, November 7th). As it stands the Dublin Marathon should really be called Dublin Suburbs Marathon as only a tiny portion of it takes place in the city.
It is utterly disingenuous of Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority (NTA) to cite the disruption of public transport services as the reason for potentially moving the marathon route even further into the suburbs. For as long as I have been doing the Dublin Marathon, the Dart has never operated northside services on the October bank holiday weekend because of essential maintenance. Some smart thinking can easily plan for services on marathon day, but it seems the will just isn’t there. Reduced bus services operate on Sundays and the times are too late for runners to get to the start line in time. Therefore, the only option is to drive in or get a taxi.
If you drive into the marathon, you have the added stress of getting parking that will cost you a small mortgage and you face the possibility of wincing and wriggling in your car seat on the way home as your legs seize up.
Apart from its significant economic benefits, the marathon has been named the friendliest marathon in the world because of the amazing supporters along the route, elevating Dublin’s brand and reputation significantly. What is the payback for that? A miserable, mean-spirited attitude by Dublin City Council and the NTA.
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Wise up and listen to the mood music, bring the marathon back into the city and embrace it, as mature local authorities in other cities have done. – Yours, etc,
SIOBHÁN O’DONNELL,
Malahide,
Co Dublin.