The Marathon

Ahh the marathon.

The finest example of physical fitness and an enjoyable day out for many of the fun runners who raise so much money for worthwhile causes that mean so much to many.

This was my first "Aid" day. This meant I was off borough and was allocated to aid local police in crowd and traffic management during this event.

The day was fantastic, bright sunshine from the early hours and during the event clearly shows now on my sunburnt face! Mind you I was wearing my heavy met vest and lovely yellow reflective jacket meant that I too probably sweated as much as the runners! But I know my feet will hurt less!

I was stationed not far form the half mile mark and the crowd was in good nature and cheering on there respective family and friends along.

Then it all went horribly wrong. First even though the road closures are well advertised and local residents well informed regarding roads and times, yet time and time again I had to deal with rude, obnoxious and plain ignorant people in there cars who tired to bully and intimate me in trying to pass trough not only past road cordons but actually wanting to cross the marathon route.

It got so bad at one point I ended up arresting one male under Section 25 for causing an unlawful obstruction of the highway. I was not impressed by this individual who had driven his car forward into our police bollards and was revving his car engine and shouting loudly to “ get out of the way I’m coming thru you cant stop me.”

Well I did. This male’s action not only put me in danger of injury but also put the health and safety of marathon runners in danger. After his arrest the handy “snatch Squad ! “ read Territorial support group arrived to convey this male to a local police station and I was back to the marathon after 30 mins booking him in and making my notes of his arrest after handing him over to that stations Case progression unit.

Then half an hour after arriving back on my post, one of the members of public close to me passed out with which I though was due to the heat! Sadly not. He was having a cardiac arrest. I must admit CPR is bloody exhausting, and you only note the tiredness when the ambulance arrived.

I went with him to the A&E department, and started to write my notes, more out of fear that the male would pass away and these notes would be valuable to any coroner’s court that may follow. Three hours after arriving at the hospital I was relived to be informed that the male was now comfortable and was likely to get through the incident. The A&E consultant who over looked the case, even stated that he would be sending a letter to my inspector , and the family of the male that my administration of CPR at the scene increased the likelihood of him living. Nice and as head spinning as that sounds.

All I did was my job and was the reason I joined.