But this was no ordinary fall, this was an M&S fall. (M&S = mutilation and scarring)
Yes, with less than 10k to go, YJ took one of his signature falls and was soon surrounded by sympathetic bystanders. The paramedic estate car was summoned and he was assessed to decide his fitness to continue. Despite a gash to his forehead, which he was told "will need a stitch" and on the proviso that after finishing he went straight to A&E, he was indeed allowed to continue.
He subsequently did finish, after losing 15 minutes for this roadside assistance. He was a little further down the field than he had hoped, placing 419th out of 493 finishers, in a time of 5:10. He was the oldest finisher.
The race was 'won' in a time of 2:44 by wheelchair athlete Steve Hughes with the first conventionally powered runner, Ugis Datavs of Wesham second in a time of 2:48. First lady was Sally Wallace in a time of 3:18.
Ugis Datavs - yes, that's his real name.
YJ subsequently reported back to his nearest and dearest and then to A&E at Preston Royal, where his head wound was mended, not with vinegar and brown paper, but with the modern equivalent - superglue, and his pinkie was splinted using his index finger.
The following day, Monday 29th April, he reports that he is feeling a little bit sore, but nothing that a few days rest (you must be joking) can't put right.
Well done, John, your exploits compare well with those of Hayley Carruthers.
1 comment:
Well done YJ. 5:10 is a great time even without losing 15 minutes for damage assessment. It's a pity. 4:55 would have sounded very impressive.
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