ONE of the two heroes who dashed their hopes of marathon glory to help a breathless female runner has been traced by the Star.

Family man Barry Russell turned good Samaritan at this year's Wycombe Half Marathon when he came to the rescue of a woman on the verge of collapse.

The selfless 32-year-old was tracked down after Free Press and Star editor Steve Cohen described the gallant deed in the Star last Thursday. Barry, who lives in Leicestershire but has lived in High Wycombe for most of his life, was visiting family in the town when he decided to compete in the gruelling 13-mile run.

The married father-of-one explained: "I was coming down towards Bourne End way and I saw this girl leaning against a lamppost. Her legs had all gone wobbly and she appeared to be very dehydrated.

"I sort of had a quick chat with her but she was having difficulty breathing and couldn't really talk. She was exhausted."

Barry, a flood defence engineer, decided to help the woman along and find the nearest marshal but he could not spot one.

Luckily another man, believed to be South African, stopped and they carried her on towards help.

Barry said: "Between us we got her down to one of the carers. She was saying 'oh I've ruined your race I'm so sorry' but I wasn't going for any particular speed or record."

The woman, who Barry thinks was in her 20s or 30s, was treated by St John Ambulance members who gave her lots of water and made her rest.

Barry went on to complete the race in 2hrs 13mins and was cheered on by his wife Catherine and daughter Emily.