Not enough water for competitors - claim

A full inquiry is being launched into claims there wasn’t enough water for Great North Run competitors, after the death of a teacher. 

Father-of-two Phil Lewis, a deputy head teacher, from Chester-le-Street, was one of four people who collapsed and died during the weekend’s half marathon.  The 52-year-old was taking part in his 24^th run, raising funds for Macmillan Nurses, and had raised thousands of pounds for charity. 

Race organiser Brendan Foster promised a full inquiry would start today. 

Questions are hanging over the safety of the popular Newcastle to South Shields race, amid claims it took an ambulance 45 minutes to reach one of the dead men.  Naomi Bradbourne said her brother Reuben Wilson, 28, of Leeds, died while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.  She also said runners appeared to be running out of water in the heat. 

And Sports Minister Richard Caborn, who ran the race himself, has also entered the debate over safety.  He said medical advice to long-distance runners was under review and may have to be updated in light of Sunday’s tragic deaths. 

Tributes have flooded in from staff and pupils to Mr Lewis, of Elsdon Close, Chester-le-Street, who has been described as an ‘inspirational’ deputy head teacher. 

His death has left his wife, Rose, son, John and daughter, Sharon, devastated. 

Staff and pupils at Moorside Community College in Consett were shocked and the mood in the school was said to be ‘sombre, but dignified.’  Mr Lewis spent 26 years out of a 29-year teaching career in Consett, starting off as a physics teacher before rising to head of science and then deputy head. 

Doctors are concerned people taking part in athletic events may have ‘hidden’ heart conditions which do not show up in normal daily life.  The Cardiac Risk in the Young charity wants to see compulsory electrocardiograms (ECGs) for all to ensure early identification of heart problems. 

Great North Run organiser Nova International insist the race is safe, despite reports of ambulances having to ‘swim against the tide’ of runners to reach those in difficulty.  Race chairman Brendan Foster said there were medical facilities every half-mile, and a fleet of 16 ambulances and two paramedic bikes on duty.  There are two field hospitals at the finish, and south Tyneside General Hospital is within 100 metres of the 10-mile point.  He said there were 280,000 bottles of water on the 13.1 mile route. 

Meanwhile, tributes continued to pour in for Mr Lewis.  "He was tremendously respected and well liked," said head teacher Jonathan Morris. 

"He was also great fun and pupils will remember him donning fancy dress on many occasions to raise money for charity."

Details for his funeral will be announced shortly.