The tragedies of running.

If you're in the running community or follow current events, you will know about the Great North Run. It's a half marathon held in Newcastle each year and it's the biggest half-marathon in the UK, possibly the world but I've not fact-checked that! I've done it, back in 2019 and as someone from the flatter parts of the UK I found it hilly, but it's one of those races that it's nice to say you've done as non-runners know it. I also distinctly remember the horrendous queue back to the metro as it isn't a looped course rather an A to B. The A being Newcastle and the B, South Shields. 

The half marathon distance is one of my favourite distances, you're not flat out like a 5k or even a 10k, you're not running for many hours like a marathon. But rather for me at least, I can settle into the pace and it's done within 2 hours. However, it is still an endurance sport, you are running for at least an hour, hydration and fuel are necessary and it's not something you should take lightly. 

The rise in 'influencer' running is dangerous, there are many influencers I follow which take the sport seriously. They fuel properly, I.e. actually eat and drink. They train effectively with varying types of runs, cross-train to prevent injury and they rest to allow the body to strengthen and recover. But, there are many, many influencers to have jumped on running as it's currently popular, focusing on aesthetics, calorie-loss and running every day despite their bodies telling them otherwise. They may or may not get injured, burn out a or give up but what they do is produce an unreastic view of running. It has done the sport wonders as now it's easily the most popular hobby across the age groups but it also means races like the Great North are huge. 

We were at the Great North this year, my husband got in the ballot and we dragged the kids up to Newcastle for the weekend. Well Durham initially then actually South Shields, kids didn't venture to Newcastle at all. On the Sunday, dropped husband at the metro so he could get to the start and we took the metro to the end, kids were quite happy running around and checking out the stands, plus cheering on strangers at the finish line. After husband completed the race he commented on the heat and busyness of the race, that it felt funnelled in places due to the mass of people. He was also frustrated by the standing around, last call for his pen was over an hour before he crossed the start line so he was stood around for ages. It is also a logistical nightmare, like I said it's A to B, B being in South Shields, it's a town in NE England not equipped for 63,000 runners, their support, general spectators, crew and everyone else who lives there and wants to go about their day as normal. After the run it took nearly 2 hours to get on a metro simply because of the queue. It was manned well by fantastic staff and volunteers but it's still an incredibly long time. We then had over 3 hours drive home and by point of comparison, in 2019 when we completed it before we were home early evening. Sunday, we got home at nearly midnight. Anyway, my moaning takes away from what I actually wanted to say. 

It has since come to light that two young men passed away, my husband stated he saw a man being attended to and we were all saddened to hear this was likely the outcome. It is an incredible loss to the community of running. Having been a runner for many years and been to many races large and small, there is usually some form of tragedy. Often and without speculation as to Sunday, it is something undiagnosed, the strain of race day causes an awful fatality. There have been calls for changes since and that's understandable, some injuries, illnesses and fatalities in previous races may have been preventable were adjustments and warnings made. My husband and I discussed it at dinner as night, move the race to April? Same problem as London, winter training for a spring/summer race which means you don't acclimatise. Move to October? More likely to rain, reducing spectators which takes away the attractiveness of the race. Reduce numbers? Better as reduces funnels, quicker through the start line but and must remember we're in a capitalist country, doesn't make as much money (for charities either). Earlier start time? Better again but logistically could be difficult which would reduce numbers and spectators. 

I'm not sure what the answer is but I know the empath in me hates to hear an ambulance at any point. And I hate that someone was trying to do good, achieve something for themselves and they've fallen ill by either pushing themselves too hard or for something they didn't know they had. But what I do know is the running community mourns, so to the family and friends of the two men that lost their lives Sunday, I am so sorry for your loss. And I hope the many other people I saw struggling after are doing better today.