Sir, – I write to you in response to the ill-informed opinion piece written by Diarmaid Ferriter last Saturday ("Refreshing to hear priest fulminate against sinful excesses of sky athletes", Opinion & Analysis, July 18th). I have enjoyed very many of Prof Ferriter's articles, broadcasts and historical publications but I fear that he has strayed beyond the bounds of his expertise in his latest piece.
Prof Ferriter asks what's wrong with a modest 5km run around the roads or in a nice big park, which leads me to wonder if the whole piece is written in a satirical manner. There is as much comparison between a "modest 5km around the roads" and a run in the fresh air of the beautiful mountains as between an average Junior Cert history essay and A Nation and Not a Rabble: The Irish Revolution 1913-1923.
Up to 30,000 pilgrims take to the slopes of Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday alone, compared to, for example, 56 mountain runners in the annual IMRA (Irish Mountain Running Association) race two weeks ago. Disproportionate erosion? The vast majority of these athletes are not “ultra-runners” – there’s only a handful of ultra-runners in the whole country.
I was lucky enough to complete a fantastic run up and down Carrantouhil yesterday in glorious sunshine, with nothing but clapping, cheering, encouragement and, truth be told, occasional laughter from the numerous hillwalkers dotted along the route. I doubt very much that they considered us exhibitionists as we panted past, red-faced, hair awry and caked in mud. Indeed, most outdoor enthusiasts are rarely seen, so far away from the general public do the activities take place.
Finally, I can only imagine that Croagh Patrick was there long before the Catholic Church laid claim to it. Next they’ll be suggesting that Croke Park is off-limits to athletes. I’d be happy to bring Prof Ferriter for an (easy) jaunt around Wicklow to set him straight. – Yours, etc, – Yours, etc,
Dr NIAMH O’BOYLE,
Newbridge,
Co Kildare.
Sir, – Historical records are littered with examples of long-distance running. From tribes in the Kalahari to our own Na Fianna, it seems that “extreme” running was an embedded part of societies. Even Prof Ferriter’s namesake, when eloping with Grainne, didn’t stop at a 10km or marathon distance. So who is to say that one of these super-athletes on Croagh Patrick was not Saint Patrick himself? – Yours, etc,
RORY CAMPBELL
Dublin 7.