After suffering a heart attack less than a mile from the finish in 2015, Barney Burgess was saved by the prompt response of fellow runners and marshals trained in CPR.
Barney also received specialist emergency medical care at the side of the road from the doctors and paramedics of Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex [AAKSS].
The Bidborough resident, now 47, was airlifted to King’s College Hospital in London, where he spent the next two weeks.
“Without the early intervention on the course and specialist treatment given in the helicopter before arriving at King’s it is highly unlikely that I would be here today,” Barney said.
“As someone whose life was saved by the air ambulance, I was honoured to start this year’s Half Marathon and to do my bit to help raise funds to support the vital service it offers.
“Congratulations to all who took part in this year’s race and many thanks to everyone who sponsored them”
Proceeds from this year’s Half Marathon will go to AAKSS, of which Barney is now a trustee, and mental health charity West Kent Mind.
It was the ninth edition of the race, which is organised by members of the town’s Rotary Club and Lions Club. More than £350,000 has been raised since the first staging in 2011.
The undulating 13.1-mile course consists of a panhandle out-and-back route on roads and lanes to the south of the town, taking in the village of Leigh and Charcott.
The race was won by Anthony Bradley of Lonely Goat online running club in a time of 1hr 15min 52sec with Tonbridge Athletic Club’s Daniel Bradley in hot pursuit, coming second in 1:17.23.
The first woman to finish was Tonbridge AC’s Helen Gaunt in 1:27.01, followed by Becky Phillips of Serpentine Running Club in 1:27.21.
