- Julian Spence stopped to help a runner in trouble
- Spence helped the man cross the finish line.
In an incredible act of selflessness, Australian long-distance champion Julian Spence sacrificed his goal to help a fellow runner in the Melbourne Marathon.
Spence, 38, was in the final stretch of Sunday’s race when he saw Michael Barney, who was finishing a half marathon, struggling to stay upright.
Spence sprang into action and helped Barney stay upright as the two crossed the finish line together.
Medical staff were on hand to care for Barney, who spent an hour recovering in a medical tent after the event.
“Very grateful,” Barney said afterwards.
‘After I crossed the line in his arms, he even stopped my Garmin (fitness tracker). Legend.’
Barney’s partner Cayla Demske added: “That’s my partner; I’m so grateful someone helped him to the finish line.”
Australian champion runner Julian Spence (in pink top) interrupted his goal to help a struggling runner
Spence (pictured, left) sprang into action to help a runner who was struggling to stay upright.
On the other hand, Genevieve Gregson achieved her first victory in a marathon, two months after running the test at the Paris Olympic Games.
The Queenslander won the Melbourne marathon on Sunday in two hours, 28 minutes and 13 seconds, beating local Sarah Klein by almost three minutes. Kate Mason, also from Melbourne, completed the women’s podium in 2:34:08.
Genevieve’s husband Ryan Gregson finished second in the men’s race behind Jack Rayner, who clocked 2:11:49 after winning the Melbourne Half Marathon for the past three years.
Gregson finished in 2:13:31 to take another step in his transition from the middle distance events, while New Zealand’s Christopher Dryden clocked 2:18:10 to take third.
It was the first time the two winners had run the full distance in Melbourne.
Queensland’s Genevieve Gregson claimed her first marathon victory on Sunday
Paris was Genevieve’s third marathon and she clocked 2:29:56 to place 24th at the Games, after running track at the three previous Olympic Games.
The 46th Melbourne Marathon Festival attracted 42,000 runners, with Bendigo’s Andy Buchanan winning the men’s half marathon in 1:01:42 having also run the marathon at the Paris Games.
Canberra’s Leanne Pompeani took the women’s race, clocking 1:09:01 in a thrilling finish.
Adelaide’s Jess Stenson, one of Gregson’s teammates in the Paris Olympics marathon, was just two seconds behind Pompeani in second place.
Just eight seconds separated first from third, with Paris Olympic 5,000m runner and fellow Adelaide participant Izzi Batt-Doyle completing the podium.