As the London and Manchester Marathons loom this weekend, paramedics are issuing a stark warning to the thousands of runners preparing for the gruelling 26.2-mile challenge. They are advising against what is commonly referred to as a ‘hero’s finish’.
The phrase ‘hero’s finish’ is often used to describe those dramatic moments frequently seen on television or in highlight reels of extraordinary race conclusions. A prime example would be Alistair Brownlee’s unforgettable act of sportsmanship when he helped his brother Jonny cross the finish line during the 2016 Triathlon World Series in Mexico.
However, St John Ambulance has cautioned that a ‘hero’s finish’, defined as “when someone is clearly in distress, they’re clearly struggling, and then other racers are dragging them across the finish line so they get that finish”, isn’t the benevolent act it seems.
According to the first aid charity, such a practice can be quite perilous: “If someone is in that level of physical distress, that means they’re already too hot, something else has gone wrong.”
A shocking tale shared by a paramedic reveals the dangers athletes face: a racer once suffered a heart attack being pulled across the finish line by comrades. “It’s an incredibly bad idea if your body wants to collapse, that’s your body’s way of protecting you, you should let people collapse safely to the floor, get help, and then we’ll bring them across the line in a safe way and give them the help they need,” warned the medical expert.
St John Ambulance has urgently spoken out to caution runners as race season kicks off, with the Mirror being told by a representative: “With running and challenge event season upon us, to ensure any race remains fun and safe we want people to be aware of the dangers of the ‘Hero’s Finish’.”
The advice from the charity didn’t stop there: “It is very dangerous, and we advise against it. If the runner is near collapse, they are in trouble and can’t continue and they run the risk of serious harm. Someone clearly unable to finish a race should stop. If near collapse, they should be helped to the floor and assistance summoned.”
As the long-awaited London Marathon approaches on Sunday 27th April, adding to the excitement is its pursuit of a record turnout, rivalling the New York Marathon’s last tally of 55,646 finishers.
Securing a place in the iconic London Marathon, which takes runners past landmarks such as Tower Bridge, the London Eye, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace, has become an increasingly difficult feat.
This year saw a record-breaking 840,000 hopefuls enter the ballot, shattering the previous global record of 578,304 set for the 2024 marathon.
In contrast, the Manchester Marathon, offering 36,000 runner slots, was fully booked a staggering five months before the race’s start.