Watch the heartbreaking moment Scottish runner Callum Hawkins collapses relinquishing his first place position. Source: TVNZ
Michael Shelley of Australia won the Commonwealth Games men's marathon in dramatic fashion Sunday when leader Callum Hawkins of Scotland collapsed to the road with cramping with about 2km to go.
Hawkins, who had about a two-minute lead over Shelley, first became disoriented at about the 38km mark of the 42.2km-long race, briefly holding himself up next to a race barrier to try to regain his balance.
He was able to continue, despite having difficulty running in a straight line, but fell to the road 2km later and received medical attention as Shelley raced past him on the course.
Callum Hawkins of Scotland collapses as he competes in the Men's marathon on day 11 of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Southport Broadwater Parklands. Photo / Getty Images.
Shelley finished in 2 hours, 16 minutes, 46 seconds.
Munyo Solomon Mutai of Uganda took silver with a time of 2:19.02, with Robbie Simpson of Scotland taking bronze, 34 seconds behind Mutai. Hawkins was listed as a "Did Not Finish" by race organisers.
There was no immediate word on his condition.
Hawkins eventually crashed into the railing on the side of a Gold Coast bridge less than 2km out from what would have been a gold medal.
As he lay crumpled on the ground a group of spectators were spotted talking to him.
According to a report an official informed the spectators not to try and assist the distressed runner — believing medical support was on its way.
The issue was further conflicted by the rules of the race which would have seen Hawkins disqualified if he received any assistance.
Help didn't arrive.
Callum Hawkins of Scotland collapses as he competes in the Men's marathon on day 11 of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Southport Broadwater Parklands. Photo / Getty Images.
The 25-year-old was left lying on the ground unattended to for several minutes.
Even as Shelley ran past him with concern all over his face — there was still no medical attention forthcoming.
Still the spectators were told to watch on.
Eventually medical officials made it to Hawkins' position on the bridge.
It was too little too late for many commentators.
What about the moron official who yells "get back" to the spectators trying to comfort Callum Hawkins. Deadbeat. They were the only people with him for a long time.
What the hell is the matter with the medical officials at the #commonwealthgames?!! .... marathon leader Callum Hawkins not just in obvious distress, he’s hit his head a couple of times falling... no help in sight, just people taking pictures on their phones
Hawkins was not the only victim of the searing 30C morning heat on the Gold Coast with Uganda's Munyo Solomon Mutai also dropping out of the race in the final 5km.
Mutai had been in the bronze medal position before he suddenly pulled up.
Channel 7's Bruce McAvaney had said he looked "disorientated" just a few seconds before the runner stopped and bent over with his hands on his knees.
Channel 7 commentator and Aussie athletics great Tamsyn Lewis said the rules of the sport should have been thrown out after witnessing Hawkins unable to move.
She said the spectators should have helped him.
"People should help him," she said.
"I think now is the time. An athlete works all their life to win gold medals. But there is one thing more important than that, his health. He should be assisted now.
"He will have family at home who can see this. So they need to know the medical staff will help him."
So hard watching marathon and can't believe there is no one to help that poor guy. Do they not communicate to each other. So hope Callum will recover and be ok.
McAvaney said officials should have tried to stop Hawkins from trying to run on after he collapsed the first time.
"He is on autopilot. He was done three minutes ago," McAvaney said.
"He has gotten back into, not a rhythm, he is still wobbling everywhere, the mind is working so hard but the legs are just getting along. You would think he is clearheaded enough that if you can just keep going a bit longer he will get a gold medal.
"He needs to think of himself and his health first.
"This is distressing. Incredibly distressing. He needs some help. Somebody please come and help him."
British Athletics announced after the race Hawkins had spoken to officials while receiving treatment and has been taken to hospital in an ambulance and was conscious at the time.
Team Scotland also tweeted Hawkins was receiving medical treatment.
@GC2018#Marathon I’m watching this sickening awful race on tv of an athlete who struggles to complete his race. Falling over, his body colliding with barriers then hits face on kerb. #CallumHawkins was in so much distress trying to complete his race. Where medical attention ☹️
Shelley told Channel 7 after the race he had to try and block out the moment he ran past Hawkins to try and focus on his own condition.
"I was not sure what was going on," he said.
"A couple of mates told me that Callum Hawkins was in trouble. They might have just been trying to encourage me but then I saw him on the bridge and I was aware he was in trouble but I just tried to hang on. On the home straight, as you can see, I tried to accelerate but I was gone as well. I'm glad to finish, to be honest.
"I was getting cramps earlier than I expected. I tried to run my race. I got the sponges every 2km, 2.5km, made sure I got as much drink as I could and just try to push on."
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