THIS weekend I was lucky enough to be involved in the Bournemouth Marathon Festival as part of the event crew.

Once again it was humbling to be involved in what was clearly a big day in the lives of so many of the participants. From the club runners, who take part in events often, to those embarking on their first proper race, clearly a lot of hard work and training had gone in to their preparation. Seeing the variety of facial expressions as they started, ran and finished was inspiring.

The vast majority of comments afterwards were positive, which was gratifying. Of course it was upsetting for those who didn’t get their medals when they finished and hopefully that will be rectified soon.

As always, though, there was an arrogant and selfish minority who couldn’t quite embrace the spirit of the event. The gentlemen who were content to obstruct the free movement of pedestrians on a footbridge just so they could take a photo of their runner, not caring that their behaviour prevented others from even seeing their runners, and aggressively rejecting a polite request to move along.

Three cyclists who refused to alter their route for a few moments despite the fact that several thousand runners were about to hurtle towards them.

Finally, the furious motorist in Southbourne whose anger and language knew no bounds because their planned route was temporarily closed to enable thousands of others to enjoy themselves and get fit, are the prime examples.

I am curious as to why such people genuinely believe their right to go about their business overrides the rights of others to go about theirs. What ever happened to tolerance and a little common courtesy?

MRS D K DOWSETT Address supplied Bournemouth

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