Sir, – As a citizen of Ireland, a Dubliner, a suburban dweller, and a non-runner, I for one am tired of marathons taking over my city on bank holidays. In particular, the June and October bank holidays are taken over by the mini and main marathons, meaning that the city is largely blocked off for most people on those occasions.
That these are among the few bank holidays not associated with Christmas or Easter exacerbates the situation – it’s not as if there are that many days off to enjoy. Indeed, that these events are participated in by perhaps 1 per cent or less of the population surely suggests that these marathons should be moved to ordinary weekends at least, if not out of the city centre areas altogether.
I would also ask why marathons need to be run in a city in the first place – surely this is not the ideal landscape for running? Moving such events to the Phoenix Park or the Dublin mountains would surely be viable? It would also mean that the vast majority of the population who have absolutely no interest in running would not have to endure such niche spectacles, and could get on with enjoying their rare bank holidays in their own city. – Yours, etc,
KEVIN NOLAN,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.