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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

London Marathon - I appear to have something in my eye

128 replies

MycatsaPirate · 23/04/2017 13:07

One of the runners started collapsing 200m from the finish. His legs were uncontrolled and he fell. Another runner stopped and picked him up and was pointing at the finish line and urging him on and between him and a marshall managed to get him to the finish line.

I must be hormonal or something, it was just so, so lovely.

Well done to all the runners today, especially my friends husband running in memory of their little boy. You are all bloody incredible.

OP posts:

teaandcakeat8 · 24/04/2017 19:36

Brexit I don't think he did it for attention. I did a race last year where a runner collapsed halfway round and lots of people
grabbed him to help before the medics arrived, sacrificing their times. But I do think more publicity should be going to his fellow club member who was the first British male to finish, not even a professional athlete/totally unknown and just looked totally amazed - literally a brilliant performance.

glorious · 24/04/2017 19:39

Yes, I thought he needed immediate medical attention too. He did not look good. I say that as a runner who has previously collapsed with a heart issue though (not while running) so perhaps that makes me paranoid!

user0000000001 · 24/04/2017 20:45

Also cynically i thought he knew there were tv cameras all over the place and doing something like that would get him attention. Meh I'm not hormonal at the moment.

Judging people by your own standards, perhaps?

IloveBanff · 24/04/2017 20:57

brexitstolemyfuture Yes, you're right. Your opinion is cynical. Very cynical. It's also extremely mean-spirited and very nasty indeed. To have seen what that man did, and view it as you do, only reflects badly on you. He had absolutely nothing to gain by helping that man. He was kind and unselfish. How dreadful to think badly of him.

Kettricken · 24/04/2017 21:02

Thanks for the link to the donation page. This is a truly inspirational story, so glad David is recovering well.

Hulababy · 24/04/2017 21:03

brexit - if he had medically attention his time doesn't count; he couldn't have 'officially' completed the marathon - I think anyway, they said something about it on the Tv at the time.

I also don't think it was done for attention either. He was just a genuinely kind man who stopped to support a fellow athlete who was struggling. It happens a fair bit throughout the course and in other races. This was just caught on camera, many others are not. And it is a lovely story that restores people's faith in humanity.

Hulababy · 24/04/2017 21:05

David Wyeth's JustGiving page is over £9000 now - - its raised massively over the past 24 hours.

Lilyoftheforest · 24/04/2017 22:25

It was cute.

Tomorrowillbeachicken · 24/04/2017 22:27

We love you Matthew Rees

landwhale · 24/04/2017 22:29

Ahh he is my dh's good friend, and usher at our wedding. (Outing me here.) he is a really lovely man :)

landwhale · 24/04/2017 22:35

Also I can hand on heart say he is not the sort of guy who would do this for the cameras. 👍🏼

Bunnyjo · 24/04/2017 22:47

Such a lovely and selfless act by Matthew Rees and I am so pleased David Wyeth is OK.

Can I just add another marathon runner to the mix? Gary McKee is local to me and the London Marathon was his 100th marathon in as many days - he even worked full-time whilst completing this feat!

bluegreenyellow · 25/04/2017 01:46

'brexit - if he had medically attention his time doesn't count; he couldn't have 'officially' completed the marathon - I think anyway, they said something about it on the Tv at the time.'

i think he could of been dqed anyway as he received outside assistance (from the Marshall)

CotswoldStrife · 25/04/2017 07:53

Knackerelli Have you seen on Facebook; Chorlton are saying that as Matt Rees sacrificed his marathon to help David they will pay for his entry next year, weekend accommodation and first class train travel there. I'm crying all over again!

I saw this too last night, a lovely gesture from the club. As they both finished in under 3 hours despite walking the last bit together, I assume they have GFA (Good For Age, not through the ballot) entry or have got their place through their club. It would be a great finish to the story if they both do it again next year.

brexitstolemyfuture · 25/04/2017 08:00

Surely he'd be disqualified for someone walking him to the end? Anyway the times don't matter as these were just fun runners.

Imagine if he had of had a heart attack shortly after being taken over the finish line. The headlines would be very different. I really don't like this dragging someone over the finish line who has reached their limit, it happens all the time and makes the headlines as it makes a story to a otherwise pretty uneventful event. These stories are just encouraging people to do it more.

sparechange · 25/04/2017 09:01

There is a wonderful quote "if you ever doubt the strength of the human spirit, go and watch the end of a marathon"

It's always incredibly apt, but especially so when you see scenes like that.

But away from the cameras and finish line, this goes on a lot. If you slow down, someone will tap you on the shoulder and offer to run with you. If you look like you are really struggling, strangers will chat with you and distract you from the pain.
It's an incredible community spirit at all levels of competitiveness and one I'm very proud to have been a part of.

EnjoyYourVegetables · 25/04/2017 09:08

My DH who does run, turned to me and said, "surely most people would have done that?!" And was a bit nonplussed by the time given over to the story.

fascicle · 25/04/2017 09:49

brexit
Anyway the times don't matter as these were just fun runners.

They were club runners running sub 3 hour marathons on a day when their races didn't go to plan. As pointed out by another poster up-thread, it was a club runner and not an elite runner who managed to be the first British male to finish. To a lot of club runners, time will certainly matter.

CotswoldStrife · 25/04/2017 09:55

Time does matter to club runners! I was a very slow runner not attached to any club and used to be mystified at races when runners would drop out half way round on a hot day, because their time wouldn't be a good one. To me, as long as I made it over the line that was a race!

AnaViaSalamanca · 25/04/2017 11:51

Loved it too. It renewed my faith in humanity. That is what I love about running, you rarely see this in other sports...it was so beautiful. sniff

user0000000001 · 25/04/2017 13:06

Anyway the times don't matter as these were just fun runners.

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🙄

SanFranBear · 25/04/2017 13:30

I was marshalling at a different marathon on Sunday and there was a gent who was really struggling with cramp and a number of runners stopped, laid him down, bent his legs, pulled and stretched. Up he'd jump and about 20 metres down the road, he'd be struggling again - cue other runners stopping, laying him down, bending his legs, pulling and stretching.

Honestly - so wonderful to watch.. and this was obviously a 'minor' marathon (if you can call any marathon minor) and these were club runners as well as 'fun runners' helping out. So I think the presence of a camera means nothing really - everyone running knows just how hard it is and want everyone to finish.

Really is very wonderful to watch!

theredjellybean · 25/04/2017 14:46

i always thought that if marshalls helped you , you were disqualified which is why they dont run on and assist , but if fellow runners 'asssit' you its ok...i was very moved by it but surprised other runners just ran by them....Mathew rees appeared the only one to stop and help.

Justaboy · 25/04/2017 19:37

Yes very nice to see that event and the human kindness but what impressed me as much if not more was the 18 year girl who left her class to go and crew the local life boat! and the mum of two who came with her very very brave ladies:-)

The spirit of Grace Darling lives no!.

rnli.org/news-and-media/2017/april/19/first-shout-aboard-anstruther-lifeboat-for-a-mother-and-school-student-duo

PrecookedSprout · 25/04/2017 19:42

That's a fantastic story Justaboy!

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