Keeping tabs on runners
THE tragic death of Paralympian Paul Pearce has led to one club adopting a system that makes it simple to identify athletes who are victims of a similar tragedy or are taken ill while out running. Fairlands Valley Spartans are now urging their members to
THE tragic death of Paralympian Paul Pearce has led to one club adopting a system that makes it simple to identify athletes who are victims of a similar tragedy or are taken ill while out running.
Fairlands Valley Spartans are now urging their members to buy the Cramtag which can be attached to either shoe laces, put in a pocket or worn on a chain.
The tag contains details of the owner and an emergency contact.
Mr Pearce, from Letchworth GC, was struck by a lorry while out running along the Stotfold bypass in February.
It was several hours before he was identified and members of his club, North Herts Road Runners, joined police in a search for him after his partner reported him missing.
The Cramtag was invented by international runner and former world 1500m and mile record holder Steve Cram after his brother Kevin fell and died while out running in 2001.
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Like most runners he was not carrying ID and it took several days to identify him, adding to the family's distress.
Now runners throughout the UK are encouraged to wear the tags with the £1 donation for them going to COCO, an organisation Steve set up to help fund projects for children around the world.
Athletes just write their name and contact details and any medical information which would help in any accident on the tag.
Fairlands Valley Spartans chairman Tony Willson said: "After the tragic incident involving Paul Pearce, the committee decided to look into some safety measures for all our members and found a simple but extremely useful emergency identity tag that could be used by everyone.
"The Cramtags are the perfect answer and we have had a big take up from members.
"Many of our members train alone and if anything happens and they have one of these tags, then next of kin can be contacted very quickly. And if they suffer from a health problem the correct medication can be given."
North Herts Road Runners' Richard Harbon said: "The tags are a great idea and will prevent some of the problems we faced with Paul happening again.
