Runners of this year’s Bath Half Marathon were pleased to be greeted by students offering to help soothe away their aches and pains with a much-needed massage.
The team of about 10 Complimentary Therapies and Spa students said they received a “very welcome reaction” from runners crossing the finish line of the Bath Half Marathon on Sunday.
They spent about four hours massaging tired limbs in the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Trust’s marquee in Great Pulteney Street.
Alissa Gordon, 20, a Level 3 NVQ Complimentary Therapies student, gave about seven leg massages to weary runners in “very cold weather conditions.”
She said: “Everyone was really grateful we were there. Lots of the runners looked like they could do with a massage.
“We gave them leg massages and really targeted their tight muscles. As we were massaging, we could really feel their muscles loosening up.
“The massages had an immediate effect with people saying they could walk without being in so much pain.”
Alissa and her classmates continued putting their massaging skills to good use on Monday when they invited more runners to the College’s on-site hair salon and spa; The Academy.
They treated runners who raised money for the Golden Oldies charity to 60-minute full body massages.
Paul Lye, who ran the race for Golden Oldies in two hours and three minutes, said: “A massage is just what I needed; it came at just the right time.
“I’ve done three half-marathons and I’ve never ached as much as I do this year. I thought they were supposed to get easier, not harder.
“I’d like to thank the students for coming to my rescue.”
Meanwhile, College staff Suzanna Wheeler, Rob Heyes and Jo Campbell were spurred on by the crowd to complete the Bath Half Marathon and raise hundreds of pounds for charity.
Health, Care and Early Years Lecturer Suzanna ran the 13 miles in two hours and 20 minutes, explaining: “It was hard, especially as the elite athletes were pegging it past me!
“The crowd was a huge help, they really kept me going. My family and friends were there and I saw lots of people I didn’t expect to see.”
Suzanne, who raised £250 for the Send A Cow charity, which helps African farmers grow enough food to feed their families, treated herself to an early night after the race.
Rob, the College’s Student Support and Engagement Manager, clocked up a time of two hours and five minutes and celebrated with “a few beers and too much pizza.”
He said: “This time last year I couldn’t run at all. I started running to lose weight and get fit and I got bullied into doing the Bath Half.
“The crowd was great; I focused on them which kept my mind occupied. It was good to spot lots of people from College.”
Rob and Jo raised about £200 to help pay for the teacher training of Tijan of The Gambia. The pre-school teacher wants to further his career but cannot afford to cover the cost of an Early Childhood Education Certificate.
Student mentor Jo, who completed the race in two hours and 12 minutes, said: “The atmosphere was quite overwhelming; seeing all the people supporting from the side lines… By mile 11 I was so tired, but high-fives from children as I jogged past helped a lot.”
