AIBU to be fucked off at road marathons?

[JesusOnAYamaha]

Once a year in London is one thing but they're bloody everywhere now and it's not like the organisers put diversions in so you can get to where you're going. We had one in our town a couple of months ago and I couldn't leave my (no through) street because they blocked it off so people could spend a day running past it. I mean I couldn't even cross the road at the end of my street, on foot. Now I've just found out that I can't get to where I need to be for a family event later this month because another load of joggers are closing down a bunch of roads into/in this other place.

AIBU to think they could just run round a park? Or a field? Or a racecourse? Or a hill? Or somewhere where they're not in the way of residents and other people who just want to go about their business.

I know I probably am BU. It's probably nice that people get to run around if they like running. They probably enjoy spending a day running past my street and I should be happy for them. But, I am a bit fucked off with it all.

It’s once a year. Yes it’s a bit annoying but it’s not like it’s a weekly event. It’s like all the residents moaning about festivals because it’s loud/increased traffic/road closures. It’s once a year. Usually on the same weekend. If you don’t like it go away that weekend.
We have one that blocks our cul-de-sac in a small village every year. I just know that if I want to go anywhere that day I’ll have to park outside the village and walk to my car. Slightly inconvenient yes but it’s not a huge drama

Please tell me where you live, it sounds great!!

Most marathons and half marathons through towns involving road closures are normally held on the same weekend each year. So it should come as no surprise that it's happening. Our local one had signs up for weeks on all main roads approaching the city warning of road closures on the specific date.

Yes, during the summer they are. .the race season is over now and guess whats happened now..the council has dug up the road ..we two in and out and both being dug up with lights ....

Your town has a road race every summer weekend? That's wild!

We've got one near the end of the month. Hoping I don't go into labour those days as the car will be trapped!
It's so annoying

All of these races are agreed well in advance with the council and the organisers have to make plans for emergency situations and vehicle access for emergencies.

It isn't just a random group of people chosing to run in the middle of the road.

Is this you ?
hahahahah

A marathon takes a few hours and it's over.

There are loads of events which inconvenience others but from some reason it's only running or cycling events that people get upset about. I wonder why that is.

I don't like carnivals but my town has one. So I go out for the day it's on, or stay at home all day. It's one day.

Is it that hard? Carers are allowed through and if you need to go somewhere you can move your car to park it elsewhere just before the event starts.

OP, you say why can't they run around a park? There was a thread a few weeks ago on how inconvenient parkrun is for park users (for 30 minutes a week) and it filled up in no time, so I don't think people would like marathon/other event runners using their park regularly either.

There's a mentality of "I don't run and don't want to do it so nobody else should be able to" rather than "right I need to go out that day so where shall I put my car to make sure I can".

I'd be in favour of a car free day every month to be honest. It's so much nicer without the noise and stink of traffic. You can go out locally and it's actually pleasant.

There are bikes or walking as options. People need to stop being so reliant on cars. Lots of people don't even have cars including lots of disabled and elderly people. They manage every day. Most drivers are able bodied, just too busy and self important to walk anywhere

How very dare they repair the road without checking when it would be convenient for you!

I've known more injuries and deaths actually from marathon running than many others sports - so to say marathon runners "save" the NHS money is nonsense

Okay 😂

@DinosaurMunch a car free day a month would be amazing! I went out for a run early before the marathon last year and it was lovely - there were families out running with the kids on bikes and scooters (probably the only day of the year that mum and dad get to run together!) and people playing football on the main road. Such a good healthy vibe!

Car drivers inconvenience whole cities every single day with their pollution, noise and congestion shortening lives and making it miserable to get around. It's ok for other people to occasionally cause inconvenience as well

The main road out of my village has been closed since MAY. We have had a diversion that takes twice as long to get to the nearest town.
Sometimes we are inconvenienced.

Overall, I think people who do sport are healthier than those who don't.

Yes it's lovely - peace and safety and fresh air! How cities could be if cars didn't exist

I know how dare the council not tell us and the whole of our town that after a summer of road closures for racing they closing the two roads for repairs....we an old town and yesterday the ambulance couldn't get through the queues of traffic for the road works. I have elderly patients on my road who not had carers visit or visit late due to this. The mp is on the case. Not me asking but alot of others...

Plenty of roads were built before cars - such entitlement

A quick death from marathon running doesn't cost the NHS much at all. Certainly not compared to chronic obesity related illnesses.

(Especially as dying due to running a marathon is extremely rare)

I can see I've annoyed all the joggers 😆😆

I know carers who cycle

I thought this thread was about annoyed car drivers

We get cyclists, and they don't close roads or give notice. You'll just suddenly discover that you're going to be late to wherever you're going because there are hordes of lycra-clad bottoms wobbling all over the road, and you can't overtake as they're riding several abreast in a huge long clump. Did once find a load of runners on my dad's road though, who glared at me when I drove in and made them move to the pavement. Can't people just go to the gym? I would've thought it would be far healthier than breathing in road fumes - and better for the environment as it wouldn't cause cars to repeatedly dawdle then rev hard to overtake. Plus, it wouldn't inconvenience a load of other people.