to think marathons in cities cause too much mayhem?

[Bottlew]

There is a full marathon in my city on Sunday. They will start to close the roads 5pm on Saturday and it is impossible to drive anywhere.

My neighbour is immobile and relies on carers. All his visits are severely delayed and it means he ends up sitting in his faeces and urine for hours and hours. He won't get his meals till a lot later. There is access given for carers, emergency services but this still ends up in a lot of delays.

I know it brings in a huge amount of income for the city but the disruption is terrible particularly for those who are vulnerable. It means I don't get to visit people in need because I can't drive anywhere. Public transport doesn't work as I often have a lot of shopping etc.

Not to mention the stewards who are on a complete high viz power trip and won’t let anyone through no matter how valid their reason.. yes I have first hand experience of this.

If the company were worth their salt, they'd use some agency staff for that one day a year, to help out and ensure their elderly/vulnerable people are given the care they need.

No but you're making excuses for this care company.

Yet it would seem other companies manage to look after their clients on this one day of the year, without this sort of neglect happening.

how to do they manage to put him to bed early when they are all running late?

Well I for one am grateful to the ladies running for Ovarian Cancer Charities. This time last year I was waiting apprehensively for my Chemo to begin, having had a big op to clear Ovarian Cancer . Needed more treatment to clear out all remaining Cancer 6 sessions in all .Friend has aggressive sarcoma .

Marathons let carers through they just sometimes have to wait. I know because I’ve stewarded a few.

you cannot stop public events in cities because someone will experience in convince. Everything inconveniences someone, that is how societies work.

it makes more sense in cities which have some public transport than in rural areas where there is minimum transport and a majority reliance on cars.

Also marathons aren’t surprise events plan shopping/deliveries around it.

I wouldn’t call your issue mayhem. The care company should be utilising extra agency staff and planning accordingly. Clearly they’re not, why should marathons not take place in cities because of this?

They drop one visit and bring his dinner earlier and then combine it with putting him to bed.

If the care company know that the normal carers can't get round everyone because of road closures, then they just need to get a few agency workers in to help for that one day.

His needs do sound pretty severe poor chap. How many people do you think with these care needs and no other help live within the road closure areas? A handful? More than 50k people are expected to run the London marathon this year with many more thousands cheering them on and enjoying themselves, and millions will be raised for charities it's the biggest fundraiser of the year for many. I don't think it's reasonable to want a major annual event cancelled affecting thousands when special arrangements could be made for the very small number of people potentially unduly affected by road closures. I know (most) carers work hard individually, but the agencies can plan for this and they should. I bet your neighbour wouldn't actually want life to be put on hold for him.

Have a pal who is running London this weekend, he’s raised money for a local hospice, another guy is running for a small charity foundation. 2 people out of thousands raising money for worthwhile causes - I hope I never need their services.

get real!

The big marathon in our local city was organised on Mother's Day. Many businesses were complaining that they lost out on valuable business because of all the road closures and customers unable to get to their restaurants. That's to say nothing of people who were stuck in all day and unable to get to see their mums. Of all the days they could have chosen, why chose Mothers Day? The people running these events seem to be a law to themselves - very poor planning.

The care company is the issue here. They have had plenty of notice. You can also shop earlier to take account of the road closures.

Manchester or a place technically just outside is disrupted about 25 times a year by people visiting to support a football team, where they have no connection to the area and the profits largely go overseas to Florida. Marathon runners are supporting largely if not wholly UK based charities.

Exactly marathon or not they’re lobbing people in bed at 4 & 5!

I don't think he wants life to be put on hold for him but he is terminally ill and sitting in excrement for hours is a truly awful horrible experience which upsets him a lot.

It is understandable why he finds the disruption unbearable.

He is usually put to bed 9.30-10.00pm.

That does sound very upsetting poor bloke. Also, it sounds like the marathon is a flashpoint but actually, this is about more than just one day - it doesn't sound like being at home with the current set up is really the best thing for him anymore ☹️ Not that you have any power I see that, but I can also see why you are upset about it. x

You seem utterly obsessed with going on about this poor man's bladder and bowel habits

But not understandable that the company doesn't use extra agency staff to prevent such awful neglect one day per year.

Sorry OP most companies plan and hire extra staff when they know there is going to an increase in numbers or disruptions it’s part of any basic operational role.

they should be planning areas in smaller clusters and delivering food shopping etc on the midday/evening shifts before. Increase staff numbers and ask any staff who are willing to cycle if the distances aren’t too far.

all the midwives in our areas cycle to home visits.

You could run anywhere, anytime. It doesn't need to be a formal event for your health improvement.

It is absolutely not acceptable under any circumstances marathon or not to have that man sat in mess for 10 hours.

even if it means the carer has to get public transport and walk. Unacceptable

That’s why I hate city living always something going on to block the roads off for something car rallies - marches for something - marathons - etc etc - nightmare - cant wait to move to the country!!

He should be in a home really but refuses to go. It is very sad. Everybody is doing their best to help but home is not the right environment for him anymore.