Heroes!

Sunday Morning February 8, 2026…the weather was clear and cold…nearly 3000 runners participated in the Tallahassee Marathon that began at the Leon County Courthouse and wound throughout the city of Tallahassee. The marathon required a tremendous amount of support personnel to make it happen and some of those were members of the Tallahassee Police Department’s Motor Unit.

These Officers are an essential part of this event and have many responsibilities which include leading the runners on the correct route, keeping traffic off the course and maintaining the flow of the run. However, on this day they were called to do more than lead the marathon.

As the runners made their way through south Tallahassee, one of the runners suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed on the course. As witnesses realized the seriousness of the situation, help was called. The motormen who were leading the run heard the call for help and immediately responded to the downed runner. These motormen and nurses who were nearby immediately administered life saving efforts and saved the life of this athlete who, without this emergency intervention, would have not survived.

To these dedicated first responders we, as a community, are forever grateful for all that you do including saving the life of this athlete who, without your quick response and action, would have lost their life. You guys are heroes and we are most appreciative for all that you do.

These photos were taken early on the morning of the Tallahassee Marathon shortly after the race began. Heroes!