In 2017, a man running the London marathon showed some of the most incredible sportsmanship ever.
We think it’s a story we all need to hear, as we wait for today’s announcements about #coronavirus restrictions.
We think it’s a story we all need to hear, as we wait for today’s announcements about #coronavirus restrictions.
It was April 2017 when runner David Wyeth was running the London marathon.
Just 300 metres from the end, his race was run. His legs had turned to jelly, and he was at the point of collapse.
Just 300 metres from the end, his race was run. His legs had turned to jelly, and he was at the point of collapse.
After 26 miles of gruelling effort, he had longed to see the finish line – but, having turned the final corner, the sight of the last 300m seemed too much to bear.
Just as David looked doomed to fail, something truly remarkable happened.
Fellow runner Matthew Rees spotted him.
Fellow runner Matthew Rees spotted him.
Rather than focusing on getting a good finishing time for himself, Matthew sacrificed the end of his own race to make sure that David finished.
Arm in arm, the two crossed the finish line together – without Matthew Rees’ selfless support, there is absolutely no way David Wyeth would have made it.
So why are we bothering to tell you this story on a Monday morning?
Most of us have just spent a weekend eating Maltesers and watching telly – is this a clumsy attempt to make a point about the benefits of running?
Most of us have just spent a weekend eating Maltesers and watching telly – is this a clumsy attempt to make a point about the benefits of running?
No! It’s a clumsy attempt to make a point about #coronavirus.
As you’ve all heard by now, we’re waiting to hear about what restrictions are going to put in place to tackle the rise in Covid-19 cases.
Much like David Wyeth, so many people are feeling absolutely tired of all of this, and are longing to see the finish line.
Much like David Wyeth, so many people are feeling absolutely tired of all of this, and are longing to see the finish line.
Crucially, though, we’re not finished yet.
The race is NOT run. We’re going to need a massive amount of support from each other, just like David did, but we can do this.
The race is NOT run. We’re going to need a massive amount of support from each other, just like David did, but we can do this.
Matthew Rees sacrificed his good time to help somebody in need.
The reality is, we’re all going to have to do the same – good times will return for all of us, but for the time being we will have to just accept there will be some things we can’t do. Other people NEED us.
The reality is, we’re all going to have to do the same – good times will return for all of us, but for the time being we will have to just accept there will be some things we can’t do. Other people NEED us.
If we all work together, we will cross the finish line one day. Then we’ll be wrapped in a foil blanket and interviewed by Clare Balding.
Ok, maybe that’s where the metaphor stops working. Ignore that last bit.
#coronavirusuk #COVID19
Ok, maybe that’s where the metaphor stops working. Ignore that last bit.
#coronavirusuk #COVID19
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