The University of Northampton shows its support for this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon

Our Podiatry staff and students are excited to once again be supporting the runners of the Virgin Money London Marathon, which takes place this Sunday 24 April.

The University of Northampton academic team are taking 20 final year BSc Podiatry students to work alongside medics, as part of a multi-disciplinary team which will provide support to runners after they cross the finish line.

This will be the 28th year that the Podiatry team has attended the event, which offers students a great experience of managing acute sporting injuries.

The students are likely to be dealing with sprained ankles, strained and pulled calves and hamstrings, blisters, blood blisters and detached runners nails. They will also be monitoring the patient’s status, as the forecasted cold weather may well result in the cases of hypothermia.

Steve Avil, Senior Lecturer in Podiatry at the University of Northampton, commented: “This is a unique chance to work alongside other medical practitioners in a ‘field hospital’ environment on Horse Guards Parade. The Podiatry team have volunteered for this opportunity to give something back and make a difference to the wider community, including overseas runners as well as those from the UK. We also look forward to meeting up with Podiatry alumni who continue to support this event in their professional careers having first experienced volunteering during their time at the University of Northampton.”

“We wish all the team and the runners an enjoyable and memorable day!”

The London Marathon course will take runners on a 26.2 mile route through the capital, starting in Blackheath and finishing in The Mall. For more information regarding the University of Northampton’s Podiatry BSc, visit our course page.

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Did you hear our Steve Avil on BBC Radio Northampton, discussing the London Marathon? listen again here – Steve’s interview starts at 2 hours 50 approximately.