David helped after running out of gas
A VALIANT runner heroically battled to finish the London Marathon – with a little help from a good Samaritan – as his legs buckled beneath him.
David Wyeth, from the Chorlton Runners Club, was on the verge of collapse just 200 metres from the finish line when he began to fall backwards – and fellow runner Matthew Rees came to his aid, telling him they would ‘cross the line together’.
The Swansea Harrier runner sacrificed his own time to support struggling David up The Mall and across the finish line with help from a race official. David said: “For someone just to stop their own race to help you, that’s such a decent thing that he did.”
As he crossed the line to the cheers of the crowd he was met by medical staff and treated by paramedics.
David was running in memory of his uncle Alan Chamberlain who died last year. The race took place on what would have been his 72nd birthday. Despite suffering from complete exhaustion, David still managed to complete only his second marathon in two hours, 52 minutes and 26 seconds. He has been with the Chorlton Runners club for a year.
Neal Wainwright, chairman of the club, said: “He’s the nicest man you could ever meet and I’m sure he’d do the same for a fellow runner in need. The club wish Dave all the best on a speedy recovery and wish to pass our thanks on to Matthew and the rest of Swansea Harriers.”
David has so far raised more than £2,000 for Isabel Hospice, in Hertfordshire, smashing his £1,000 target.