IT’S LONDON MARATHON day with a record 40,000 competitors pushing themselves every inch of the way over a gruelling 26.2 miles.
There was a Kenyan double in the elite races where Daniel Wanjiru took the men’s title in 2:05:56 while Mary Keitany set a new women-only world record in 2:17:01.
But a little bit further back in the field, Swansea Harriers runner Matthew Rees gave us a moment of inspirational sportsmanship as he neared the finish line.
Advertisement
As he came into the final 200 metres, Rees spotted one of his fellow athletes, David Wyeth, overcome with exhaustion and struggling to stay on his feet.
Without hesitating, Rees sacrificed his own race and time to come to Wyeth’s assistance, determined that the two of them would finish the race together.
With the help of Rees and another race official, Wyeth staggered to the finish line where he was attended to by paramedics.
“Matthew Rees, of (Swansea Harriers), you’ve just encompassed everything that’s so special about the #LondonMarathon,” said a message on the official race Twitter account.
“We salute you.”
Absolutely.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
London Marathon runner stops to help exhausted fellow athlete make it to the finish
IT’S LONDON MARATHON day with a record 40,000 competitors pushing themselves every inch of the way over a gruelling 26.2 miles.
There was a Kenyan double in the elite races where Daniel Wanjiru took the men’s title in 2:05:56 while Mary Keitany set a new women-only world record in 2:17:01.
But a little bit further back in the field, Swansea Harriers runner Matthew Rees gave us a moment of inspirational sportsmanship as he neared the finish line.
As he came into the final 200 metres, Rees spotted one of his fellow athletes, David Wyeth, overcome with exhaustion and struggling to stay on his feet.
Without hesitating, Rees sacrificed his own race and time to come to Wyeth’s assistance, determined that the two of them would finish the race together.
With the help of Rees and another race official, Wyeth staggered to the finish line where he was attended to by paramedics.
“Matthew Rees, of (Swansea Harriers), you’ve just encompassed everything that’s so special about the #LondonMarathon,” said a message on the official race Twitter account.
“We salute you.”
Absolutely.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
‘When people said I should go talk to someone, I told them to shut up. I thought I was right but I was weak and lost’
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
David Wyeth Incredible London Marathon Matthew Rees