University of Northampton staff and students help runners in London Marathon

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

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

The students were prepared to deal with sprained ankles, strained and pulled calves and hamstrings, blisters, blood blisters and detached runners nails.

Steve Avil, senior lecturer in podiatry at the University of Northampton, said: “This was a unique chance to work alongside other medical practitioners in a ‘field hospital’ environment on Horse Guards Parade.

“The Podiatry team 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.”