One dead, eight hospitalised and 242 runners treated by medical personnel. These were the sad statistics as once again the Edinburgh Marathon attracted the warmest day of the year. Although this year wasn’t effected by the lack of drinking water that blighted last year’s events, the situation was not helped as the starting time of the Marathon was pushed back to allow a Half Marathon to take place, before the main event. This meant that even the elite runners, who started at 9:50 would be out running in the mid day sun. The masses would need to cope with the sun at it’s hottest for much of the race!
Whilst Monday’s television coverage was welcome and did show the leader pulling up a few hundred metres from the finish and then agonisingly force his body, step by step to the line, it did not show the thousand upon thousand of other runners who found themselves unable to run much further back.
I was supporting at around the 12 and 23 mile points and although the majority of runners looked fine on their way out, this was not the case as they walked back. Ambulance staff beside me set up an impromptu water station, others handed out oranges and jelly babies. The competitors were so appreciative of the support that we gave them that many made an effort to put on a brave face, as they smiled for the camera, others made one more attempt to run another few metres. Some shook my hand, ‘high fived’ me or gave me an emotional hug before continuing on their way to overcome the final two miles or so. Every one of them deserves the medal which they received and they all deserve our admiration and respect.
I know from bitter personal experience that this is at least the third year in a row when the event has been held on the warmest day of they year. In any other country in the world the event would be held in the cooler early morning or late evening not the scorching mid day sun. The organisers should pause and have a long hard look at them selves before announcing the final details of next year’s ‘Marathon Festival.’
Loads of photos of the Half and Full Marathon, taken with my new Canon DSLR,
here, please feel free to use them.
Well put. A 10am start for a Marathon at the end of May is ridiculous. The Marathon should have started at 8am with the Half Marathon.
ReplyDeleteGSI Events don't appear to be the best choice to manage the Edinburgh 'Marathon Festival'. I've been there the last 3 years too and there appears to be a trend in the shoddy organisation of each the events, from starting time to facilities at rely points and car parking. Reckon they should move over and let a more competent company do a better job.
Ian I totally agree - so much so I came home on the Sunday and emailed the organisers almost your exact words - we were in Geneva beg of May and it was as warm, but the full marathon started at 0800 and half an 1030 which meant no one was out in the absolute searing heat for more than an hour at the end of their races - come on organisers waken up - or try running in those conditions yourselves!
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