Sinful Excesses of Ultra Runners on the Environment

uvox

"What is wrong with a modest 5km or, on a hard day, 10km run around the roads or in a nice big park?"

http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/diarmaid-ferriter-refreshing-to-hear-priest-fulminate-against-sinful-excesses-of-sky-athletes-1.2288886

Obviously Mr Ferriter doesn't get it, but are the claims here about destruction to Croagh Patrick (and presumably other parts of the country) accurate? Seems unlikely that ultra running is an environmental problem relative to "other usage" (as in penance seeking or Wonder Bra challenges as mentioned).

"A lot of the damage, I am told, is due to it being used as a sky track for fitness by super-athletes.”

I haven't heard reports of Djouce or other hill terrain suffering...

(Surely those blessed ultra runners should do it barefoot?)

ThisRegard

There was a discussion on this at the time. But as for Djouce, that is suffering badly from erosion from general usage.

Enduro

Ultra running in Ireland has nowhere near enough numbers to cause any significant problems. The most signiifcant recreational causes of erosion would be walking/trekking (due to wieght of numbers, along with trekking poles), and all-terrain vehicles such as motorbike scramblers and quad bikers, where one irresponsible rider can cause massive erosion.

Mr. Ferriter indeed doesn't get it, as his terminolgy is all over the place, a real mish mash... very poor for an academic.

DogSlySmile

These ultra-runners may be super in fitness terms, but they are also selfish exhibitionists, not content with wrecking their own joints and family life through their constant long training sessions, but also prepared to disproportionately contribute to the erosion of what Fr King called “nature’s greatest cathedral of the west”, commonly known as the Reek.

Well now I feel like a tool. Thats my Monday ruined!:P

walshb

A non story, just like the introduction of energy saving light bulbs to help cure the world's global warming "problem."

shels4ever

Maybe he could stop the wind and rain too as they are the real problem.

seamus

Mr. Ferriter seems to believe that Croagh Patrick should be restricted only to good Catholics who want to have a bit of an aul pray. Apparently climbing Croagh Patrick can be a "joy". Isn't that antithesis of what it's supposed to be?
Aren't the ultra-runners who are putting themselves through significant stress and hardship the ones who are properly engaging in the sufferfest that the Reek is supposed to represent? Rather than the day walkers looking for a bit of peace and tranquility?