Hello. Please hear me out. I'm worried,with good reason, that won't. Even though we've never met, a lot of people hate me and my kind, and you might be one of them. I am, you see, a Jogger.
Joggers have always had a tough time of it. We risk facing aggressive dogs and mindlessly abusive people every time we go out. But some people have a repressed rage towards us. Now that it is (rightly) frowned upon to be prejudiced against people based on race, religion, sexuality or age, people need a group that doesn't fall under any of these categories. Joggers are the perfect target.
The arguments against joggers are well documented. But think about this: I'm 15kg lighter than I was five years ago; if I didn't run I might be 15kg heavier instead. In future years your taxes would be going towards paying for knee replacements and heart medication. Yes, it's in both your interests and mine that I get exercise.
I could join a football, rugby, AFL or cricket club, but then I would just clog up Sydney's already congested, eroded parks. That only leaves golf. Now you may view golf as much less irritating than jogging, but in the big picture it is much worse for you. A golf club is, geographically, enormous, and contributes far less in rates than housing would. All of us subsidise golf clubs through our rates because of this.
Joggers going through golf clubs would be an ideal solution. For you – your rates subsidise something useful (keeping us out of the way). For us – ideal running terrain: well-kept paths, a variety of terrain and ground softer than the footpath to look after our joints. Further, you can get orders of magnitude more of us into the same space at any given time. Unfortunately, although both you and I support the golf club financially, and although you and I both want me to be able to run there, I can't. Tall fences, Keep Out signs and threats of trespassing convictions are enough to keep me in my place.
While I can't answer for my fellow Joggers, I'm a considerate person. I give cars right of way; I run on my own; I don't want to, and indeed don't, push you out of the way (though when you weave across the footpath, or walk very slowly four abreast, the thought crosses my mind); I don't want to drip sweat on you. I want a local place in which I can run undisturbed, just as all other sports get. If I don't get it, that is many people's fault, but please: don't blame me.