Marathon Runner

[emmie]

This an awful thing for her family and friends, some good will come out of it, donations have been pouring in. As a user and supporter of The Samaritans, this money will go a long way to help those in distress and upheaval

http://www.guardian.c...squires?newsfeed=true

[ummmm]

Up to 240k now.

Sad that she died to achieve this. RIP Claire.

[Ann]

How sad - only 30 years old. Do we know why she died yet? How sad that she died whilst trying to help others, maybe she had a heart defect which wasn't known about. She lives in my county.

[cathfromsaron]

funny how there is no call to ban it, like when there were deaths in the grand national though?

maybe we like horses more than people?

RIP x

[ummmm]

No, human beings have choice.

Should we ban football?

[DTCwordfan]

yes ummm, we should.

rugby is a game for hooligan played by gentlemen
soccer is a game for gentlemen played by hooligans.

It is a shame that this has happened - I was pleased to hear that the Samaritans will sit down with the family at some point to discuss what projects the money should go to, the areas that she was interested in and ré her own work with them.

[emmie]

why should anyone ban it, have you any idea who many people have taken part in the last 30 years, so remarkable that so few in retrospect have died. Sorry if that sounds harsh to those who have lost a loved one in the race, and no i don't know what happened to her. I guess the press will say in due course.

[ummmm]

She's the first woman to die.

[DTCwordfan]

ban soccer that is - best suggestion ummmm has made this year! lol

[emmie]

the money collected over all these years has helped millions, and it's a personal goal for many, who not only run for charity, but are recovering from serious illnesses themselves, i say good luck to them, the race itself, a marvellous event, and to Claire RIP. Her family will be devastated, but money to The Samaritans is often a lifesaver.

[DTCwordfan]

I could usemy flippant remark "they should look at lowering the jumps" but seriously why on earth would they ban the Marathon - HSE, I guess....

No, the frequency of death is very low, and 35000 runners are out there and, of course, there is risk of human body failure during the event, just like any sport.

Look at Sophie Rainsworth last year who collapsed and spent 2 hours or so with St Johns before running in the final mile or so.... These people are largely fit but still you get over exertion and there has even been the occasional heart attack too... The upside news is that there are so many folk around who are medically trained that the chance of dying is further reduced - look in Mamumba's case (or Merv the Swerv Davies when he collapsed at Cardiff), there's not much a better place to have a major failure other than a hospital given the medics present. If Mamumba had collapsed on the Bolton training pitch, he wouldn't have been here today....

[ummmm]

It's up to 307k....

[Vicasso]

The total keeps ticking up....
http://www.justgiving.com/user/24487001

[emmie]

good for those contributing, The Samaritans is a very worthwhile and helpful outfit.

[emmie]

money still pouring in, sad for the family, but this will help loads of people.
last time i looked it was over 400,000 grand.

[Vicasso]

Wow !
Currently...
£623,555.00
raised
54,724
donations

[emmie]

i am aware this is about the death of a lovely young woman, but that money will do a lot of good, The Samaritans is an organisation i know well, and most certainly support. Good to see many people feel the same, and that are giving generously, so some good can come out of this tragedy