Through 12 miles of the New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 2, Megan Searfoss was enjoying the race of her life. “Or at least the last 20 years,” jokes Searfoss, the owner of CT Run Co. in Connecticut.
Looking to maintain an 8:40 pace, Searfoss cruised past the 12-mile mark of her sixth New York City Marathon averaging 8:27 per mile. She felt relaxed, confident and in control – that is, until a runner sliced in front of Searfoss and their feet clicked. Searfoss went airborne and her right shoulder slammed onto the Brooklyn pavement.
“I knew right away what happened, and it wasn’t good,” says Searfoss, who suffered two displaced fractures of her humerus in the fall.
A few fellow runners immediately stopped to check on Searfoss while at least one spectator hustled onto the course — an oncology nurse from Kansas City named Jessica England.
“It was clear she was in immediate pain,” England says of Searfoss.
Alongside others, England moved Searfoss to the curb and helped her lay on her left side. While other good Samaritans ventured to find a first responder or race official, England stayed next to Searfoss. She phoned Searfoss’ husband and placed her bag under Searfoss’ head, at which point Searfoss noticed the logo on England’s ASICS top.
“The Running Well Store? Do you know Kathy Gates?” Searfoss asked.
The question shocked England, who, in fact, has worked at The Running Well Store, Gates’ four-store Kansas City-based run specialty chain, on a part-time basis for two years.
Searfoss called the mutual connection a welcome diversion amid the searing pain and deep frustration. It also delivered comfort.
“If you work in run specialty, you’re likely a good human,” Searfoss says. “That put me at ease.”
England, meanwhile, called the run specialty connection a “nice epiphany” engendering trust between the two.
“You realize how small the world really is,” England says.
Even after police ushered Searfoss to the other side of the street to await an ambulance, England remained at Searfoss’ side for nearly 45 minutes until EMT personnel arrived and transported Searfoss to a hospital in Queens.
“Her calmness and composure were a godsend,” Searfoss says of England, who was in town to support a friend running her first New York City Marathon. “I’m so grateful Jessica jumped into action right away.”
For her part, England says she simply relied on her nursing training to assist Searfoss. Rather than dictating what needed to be done, she listened to Searfoss and practiced compassion and kindness – traits she honed as a nurse, of course, but also polished on the fit stool.
“I’m so happy I could help Megan,” England says.
On November 7, Searfoss endured a lengthy surgery in which doctors inserted a plate and nine pins. She’s on the mend now, excited to attend The Running Event in a few weeks and connect with peers around the country. And when she sees Gates, she will share high praise for one Running Well Store employee, in particular.
“This was a junky situation, for sure, but it was also this amazing moment that speaks to the spirit of run specialty and the kind of people it attracts,” Searfoss says.
