Presbyterian Moderator Dr Stafford Carson has written to the Lord Mayor of Belfast to express his concern that running the City Marathon on a Sunday will mean that a significant part of the community will no longer be able to give the event their full support.
In his letter to Cllr Naomi Long MLA the Moderator says:
The City Marathon is a great event for Belfast and its citizens, the runners and particularly the many charities that benefit.
However, by running the event on a Sunday, I am concerned that many churchgoers and Christians will no longer be able to give the event their full support.
I understand that around 40 churches lie close to or on the actual 26-mile route. If the marathon starts at its usual time this will clash directly with morning services resulting in congestion and difficulty for people travelling to and from their place of worship.
Secondly, many Christians from all across Northern Ireland and beyond, who have participated in the charity aspect of the marathon don't wish to take part in sporting events on a Sunday. This will therefore diminish one the very positive benefits that the Belfast City Marathon has brought to our community life and will exclude those who are committed to their local church on a Sunday.
While appreciating that there are other factors affecting their decision I would ask Belfast City Council to consider very carefully the concerns of a large section of the community which they represent before taking a decision that would, for many people, diminish this special event.
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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