26-04-2025
Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon helps hundreds learn Hands-Only CPR
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Around 200 people used test dummies to practice chest compressions at Memorial Stadium on Friday during the Christie Clinic Race Weekend.
For the proper Hands-Only CPR technique, you clench your hands together and press down until you hear a click which signals you've gone down far enough to actually get blood pumping. Now, because of the training, hundreds will be ready to step in during life-threatening scenarios.
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'We saw a need to bring attention to Hands-Only CPR for those that are out on the course,' said Medical Director Lynn Ullestad.
If you're at the Illinois Marathon on Saturday, you might see someone wearing a yellow bib. It means they've been trained in Hands-Only CPR.
'We hope no one ever has to use it,' Ullestad said. 'But if there's a need, we want people to know what to do.'
It's lead by the American Heart Association. More than 40 volunteers taught the basic technique and made sure they were able to demonstrate the movement effectively.
'Push hard, push fast,' Ullestad said. 'That's the immediate lesson here.'
Alida de Flamingh is running the 10K for the first time. She heard about the class from an email the race sent out and was moved by the story of Rafael Ruggeri: A doctor who had a heart attack on the course but was saved by his son through Hands-Only CPR.
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'[If] I'm in a situation like that, I want to be able to help save somebody's life,' de Flamingh said.
The training was open to anyone, not just racers. The Fighting Illini women's soccer team dropped in through their head coach's unique connection.
'My wife works for Stryker who's a big sponsor of the event,' said Head Women's Soccer Coach Katie Hultin. 'We're pretty passionate about it in our house.'
Hultin said Hands-Only CPR is great for their sport because of how much they run. But it's also helpful off the pitch, with hundreds coming to visit for camps and recruiting, not to mention everyday life.
'I'm moving my family here,' Hultin said. 'I've got 30 athletes that live in this community as well, and to know that all of these people are taking time out of their day to learn this skill that hopefully they never have to use, but if they do, they're going to be prepared.'
The American Heart Association employee who was running the training said someone who took this training in February has already saved someone's life.
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