I

registered for the 2014 Jakarta Marathon in the 10K run category and was so excited to join the event.

Unfortunately, I had a very disappointing experience that I believe should not happen at an international event like the Jakarta Marathon.

On Oct. 26, I started my 10K run at 5:20 a.m. from start line. After five to 10 minutes, less than one kilometer from the start line, I sprained my ankle and was unable to continue my run. I immediately walked to the roadside and looked for help.

Since I didn'€™t see anyone from the event, I decided to slowly walk to the start line and after 10-20 minutes, I met Mr. Abraham and his friend, which I later discovered were college students, volunteers, in that area.

After informing them about my condition, they immediately advised me to rest on the roadside and tried to contact their acquaintance, which I assumed should be the one responsible for medical help for the runners. After frequently unanswered calls, one of them decided to go straight away to the National Monument (Monas) area to seek medical help.

While I was waiting in pain for medical help and observing more and more swelling on my right foot, two gentlemen from Marshall Bike, which I later found out were from the Gowes Community, approached me to check on my condition.

Abraham and I explained my condition and one of the bikers went to seek help, while another gentleman helped me ease the pain by giving me an aerosol spray. I waited and waited, Abraham and the two Marshall Bike gentlemen were having difficulties reaching anyone who could send help.

After around 50 minutes of waiting in pain, one of the bikers decided to approach the nearest hospital (RS Budi Kemuliaan) to send an ambulance for me.

In less than 10 minutes, the ambulance came and I was brought to the hospital to get medical help for my sprained foot, accompanied by Abraham.

This unfortunate event is upsetting and hugely disappointing for an event as big as the Jakarta Marathon. I'€™m not sure what the problem was. The committee'€™s communication? The committee'€™s readiness? I can'€™t help but wonder what would'€™ve happened if a far worse incident than mine occurred at the event.

I'€™m lucky as my condition was not life threatening (although it left me immobile on the roadside).

But would have someone with a life-threatening condition ended up '€œabandoned'€ like me, with almost a one-hour wait with no help from the committee?

I noticed that an enormous amount of people were involved in the marathon as committee members and as volunteers, which are mainly to cheer on the marathon runners. Since medical services should be one of the main priorities for the committee, I feel nothing but disappointment at the Jakarta Marathon 2014'€™s organizing committee.

Nevertheless, I'€™m fully thankful to the bikers and Abraham, the young volunteer who tried his best to help me, but partly failed due to a disorganized system.  

I'€™m also grateful for all the staff from RS Budi Kemuliaan (which I understand are not associated at all with the Jakarta Marathon) for their excellent treatment, especially the ambulance team that swiftly attended to me, an injured runner of the Jakarta Marathon, who was waiting in despair for the help that never came from the marathon'€™s organizers.
 
Rumia Stephanie Monica
Jakarta