Letter: Puffing joggers not distancing in Westerton wood

UN-social

UN-social

Runners and bikers not distancing

Sir, – You recently published a letter about the lack of consideration shown by some runners during lockdown. While I have seen runners show excellent concern for social distancing, it does appear that too many are imbued with the idea they are under something like a divine command never to stop in any circumstances.

I experienced an example on the narrow path through the southern stretch of Cairnhill Woods on April 23. A blue-clad runner came up behind me,showing no sign of reducing speed as he approached so I held up a hand and asked him if he could slow down until I’d got off the path. He wouldn’t stop or slow down but swerved past me calling out “Plenty of room”. I said “That wasn’t six feet” and he shouted back at me something like “It’s for you to protect yourself”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

I took him to mean that if I wanted him at a distance it was solely my business. Anyone who wants to see repeated instances of social distancing not being observed should study the behaviour of cyclists along the Forth and Clyde Canal towpath. Puffing and gasping, sometimes in squads of four or six or eight, they whoosh between and around pedestrians as though they were inanimate obstacles. The idea that they might halt until they can pass pedestrians at a safe distance seems wholly alien to the great majority of them. – Yours, etc.,

Paul Brownsey

Bearsden

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.