
The atmosphere at the finish line was amazing. The crowd cheered everyone and everything on, from the cavalcade of motorbikes, scooters and classic Minis that crossed the line ahead of the runners; to the elite athletes; to the very last person that crossed the line. The volunteers were working hard retrieving runners' kit bags and giving out space blankets, drinks and snacks to the runners as they crossed the line.
In the medical tent, there were various medical professionals including doctors, nurses, St John's Ambulance, podiatrists, physiotherapists and myself. It was a great team atmosphere and an excellent opportunity to work directly alongside other healthcare professionals to give the best possible care to the runners that came in. I worked particularly closely with Jodie, Amy and Jane, the team of physiotherapists from Body Rehab Studios, who made me feel a welcome addition to their team, so a special thank you to them! The most common complaint I dealt with yesterday was leg cramps which, although stubborn, seemed to respond well to treatment and hopefully meant those runners were able to enjoy their post-marathon celebrations a little more. There were also plenty of sore backs, knees and feet to deal with, as well as some more serious strains and sprains that needed attention, so it was a very busy (but very enjoyable) day.
A huge congratulations to all who took part at the Brighton Marathon yesterday!
Did you take part? If your muscles are feeling rather stiff and achy after your efforts, some gentle stretching will help to relax them. Have a look at my previous blog post for advice on safe, effective stretching.
For race results and a summary of the day in general, visit http://www.brightonmarathon.co.uk/raceday/