Pity Steve Avil, senior lecturer in podiatry at Northampton University, and his team of staff and students who arguably had the most gruelling time at the London Marathon. They treated injuries sustained during the event, ranging from strains and sprains to blood blisters and torn and bruised nails. They issued a series of top tips before the race, which included how to know if you have laced your shoes too tightly: your feet go numb after three miles.