Patty's Weblog

Tammy got up on time and took the shuttle for the race start-point. The race was starting so early because of the oppressive, humid heat. We got up later and went down to the race check-point outside the Ramada to wait for her to pass by. They were handing water out at the check point, but they ran out, so we bought some water in case they were still out when she passed by. She came by, looking strong and happy, and we cheered her on.


Tammy coming towards us as we wait at the check-point at the Ramada.


Here she is a little closer.

Then John and I took a taxi to the finish line. We passed Tammy and she still looked good. We waited at the finish line, camera ready.


One of Tammy's PC buddies coming across the finish line. You can see John looking off towards where Tammy should be appearing soon.


John still looking for Tammy.

Then a car came driving through the finish line. I thought, "what the heck?" Then John yells "That's Tammy in the back seat!" Sure enough, there she was, slumped over in the back seat of the car.

Tammy had suffered heat stroke and collapsed a couple hundred yards from the finish line. The marathon had no medical professional support; there was no medical tent; there was no cool area to take her. John and I took care of her, and she survived. But shame on you, AIM marathon organizers.


Tammy recovering, with John holding a coconut.


Tammy with her medal.


Tammy with Mark, another PC volunteer.

Tammy ran a great race, and would have finished in just over 4 hours. We are so proud of her! She told us she won't run a marathon in Africa again, and we both sincerely hope that she means it.

(I wrote a much longer version of the marathon day events, but decided not to post it. I get too upset thinking about what might have been, especially after looking up "heat stroke" on the internet. If anyone asks me, I'll send them my long version via private email. It's too personal to share on a public web site.)

Next post: Across the border to Togo.