London Marathon day is one of those rare moments when an entire city seems to share the same emotional rhythm. You need only glance to your left or right to see a spectrum of feeling gathered amongst the crowd; pride, nerves, joy and passion…and, a few hours later, a very particular walking style among most marathoners that suggests they discovered muscles they never knew existed.
For podiatry, it is also one of the most meaningful days of the year. Not because its glamorous (it isn’t…there are blisters, bruises and sweat ridden socks that sometimes need hulk like strength in peeling off)…not because it is easy (it isn’t… there is pace, pressure, and unpredictability throughout the day); but because it demonstrates, in real time, why foot and lower limb health matters so fundamentally to peoples’ lives.
The London Marathon is, of course, a sporting event. But it is also a healthcare story; and for podiatrists and podiatry students, a professional one. Feet are not a footnote to endurance; they are the point of contact between ambition and ground. When feet falter, everything above them compensates… not only the lower limbs, but often more systemically. On marathon day, this reality becomes unmistakingly visible.
For podiatry students from the University of Northampton, involvement in the London Marathon provides a powerful example of learning beyond the classroom. It places knowledge, skills and professionalism into a fast-moving, real-world context where theory must be applied confidently and compassionately.
Clinical reasoning happens quickly. Communication must be calm and clear. Practical skills need to be adapted to the individual, often under significant time pressure, while maintaining high standards of care. These are the same standards we reinforce within the University of Northampton Podiatry Clinic, where integration and practice are central throughout the programme. On marathon day, however, these are no longer abstract learning outcomes… they become lived experiences. Students treat with context in mind, supported by experienced clinicians working alongside them, driven by pride in the profession and excitement for their future as graduates.
It would be easy to reduce marathon-based podiatry to a narrow list of treatments. Yet, students quickly recognise that every presentation reflects a wider story… one of grit and determination, training load, footwear choice, biomechanics, fatigue and, in many cases, previous injury. For those interested in sports and MSK podiatry, the environment closely mirrors learning that takes place within our sports and orthopaedics clinics. For others, it highlights the breadth and crossover that defines modern podiatric practice.
Just as importantly, the event offers valuable insight into professional teamwork. Students observe how clinicians and interdisciplinary staff communicate efficiently, adapt to changing demands, and support one another within pressured, triage-based environments. Those behind-the-scenes moments play a significant role in shaping students’ emerging professional identities, helping them to see themselves as part of a wider healthcare team committed to keeping people active and moving.
“Treating people in a medical tent (as opposed to a hospital or clinic) was a new experience, but an enjoyable one. The location was well-run, and many of the medical volunteers were clearly experienced in managing patient care and familiar with each other. Patient care still followed the same essential core formula – get patient details (allergies, medication, medical history), find out their presenting problem, treat it accordingly and provide any relevant aftercare advice. SOAP is very useful for any patient encounter! Overall, I’m happy to have experienced this. I met a lot of interesting people from all over the world, I got to see a side of care I don’t normally encounter and worked alongside physiotherapists, doctors and paramedics all in the same room. It was both a learning experience and a genuinely enjoyable day!” – Elisabeth Sherwin
I met a lot of interesting people from all over the world, I got to see a side of care I don’t normally encounter and worked alongside physiotherapists, doctors and paramedics all in the same room.
– Elisabeth Sherwin, student.
Experiences like the London Marathon matter. They compress learning, responsibility, and reflection into a single day, offering students the opportunity to test themselves in an environment where their role genuinely matters and their skills flourish as lower-limb specialists. They also highlight the vital contribution podiatry makes to enabling people to move, participate and achieve goals that are deeply meaningful to them.
On marathon day, podiatry is visible, purposeful and central to the story… not only of sport but for our university, our profession, and the wider practice of healthcare and learning.
