Sir, – I recently returned to Paris and was able to do some running in Parc Monceau, a public park in the eighth arrondissement that is a favourite with local runners. What a joy it was to run in loops under the trees at this tranquil location, surrounded by families and all sorts of people exercising and enjoying themselves. What was most striking about the tranquillity of the running experience was that runners ran in silence, the majority without listening to music, or even when running in groups.
What a joy just to hear the honest crunch of dozens of feet on the dusty trail, and not the French equivalent of chatter about Covid-19 events, Leaving Certificate results, property prices, the Premier League, new dogs, and Garth Brooks. If only running in Ireland was the same. – Yours, etc,
ULTAN Ó BROIN,
Blackrock,
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Co Dublin.