RAYNET at the Potteries Marathon
David Dixon G7BPG
The Potteries Marathon (now called The City Of Stoke On Trent Marathon), has been running (pardon the pun) for 23 years and for many years was voted the most popular marathon in the country.
Sadly, over the last few years, each successive race has been "the last" as support, in the form of competitors, has been dwindling while the costs of putting-on the event have risen. Each year though sees another resurrection and this year we hear that there is talk of incorporating a half marathon into next year's event to try to encourage a greater entry list.
The course is quite punishing, as there are several long climbs, so in warm weather there are often a lot of casualties and "drop outs". The organisers supply two minibuses, which operate as drop out collection vehicles and they tour the course with a RAYNET operator and St John Ambulance personnel on board.
The RAYNET operator is in touch with event control and can be directed to points where a runner is waiting to be picked up and returned to the finish, the presence of St John personnel is obviously to supply first aid should it be needed.
RAYNET's function is to keep track of the runners so that towards the end of the race the organisers can be made aware of just how many people there are, still out on the course and of course the reporting of any incident requiring emergency attendance. Also any logistical requirements, water for the feeding stations, stewards at any particular point, cones to be placed etc.
Public support is quite phenomenal, with large groups gathering to applaud the runners as they pass. In many areas, barbecues and street parties are held. Even in the rain of last weekend, the crowds were there with their umbrellas still donating to the collections being made by the many "Fun Runners".
Over the years, the marathon has raised a huge amount of money for charities both local and national and it would be a great loss to the community if it were to cease.
RAYNET was formed in 1953 following the severe East coast flooding, to provide a way of organising the valuable resource that Amateur Radio is able to provide to the community.
Since then, it has grown into a very active organisation with around 5,000 members, providing communication assistance on many hundreds of events each year.
To find out more about RAYNET and how you can get involved, please click here
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