I thought about my children seeing me suffer and felt selfish
David reveals guilt after stranger Matthew helps him across line
THE RUNNER who was helped across the London Marathon finish line by a complete stranger has joked that he feels like a “fraud”.
David Wyeth, 35, was supported for the final mile on Sunday by fellow competitor Matthew Rees, 29.
Project manager David said: “The time means absolutely nothing to me – I feel a slight fraud for having a medal around my neck.
“I should cut a little piece out because it belongs to Matthew.
“I really wouldn’t have got across the line – on my hands and knees, maybe, but the time meant nothing because I know I wouldn’t have got there without Matthew putting his arm around me and carrying me over the line.”
David, from Manchester, revealed he felt “selfish” for putting himself at risk with his children, aged six and four, watching.
He said: “I knew where (my family) were positioned for the last viewing point, and that was around Westminster. I think I was in a state of distress at that
I would not have made it across the line without Matthew DAVID WYETH
point and they knew something was wrong and that I was injured, or worse.
“I will reflect on the day but my concern was the risk I put myself in with two young children. I just felt so selfish that I was there in a bad way. It’s with massive thanks to the London Marathon team.”
David and banker Matthew, from Swansea, completed the race in less than three hours. They were reunited yesterday.
Matthew said: “I was just about to get into my stride for the sprint finish, then I saw David.
“The point I saw him, he was clearly struggling and his legs just went from underneath him and he fell to the ground.
“I went over and he said ‘I’ve got to finish’ and I said ‘you will’ and I helped him up.”