Runner walks final London Marathon mile six months on after cardiac arrest

A runner who suffered a cardiac arrest at the 25th mile of the London Marathon has finally "finished what I started" - by walking the last mile, six months later. Gareth Hopkins, 43, a paramedic from Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, collapsed during the race on 26 April when his heart stopped due to severe rhabdomyolysis, caused by overheating.

He completed the "unofficial" final mile on Sunday, walking through the capital by Buckingham Place and along The Mall with family, friends and supporters, a month after leaving hospital. He said he was "nervous", adding: "Everyone calls me a hero, that I inspire people, I just feel happy it went really well and it was a lot better than I thought." The marathon novice had been taking part for the first time in April with his brother Chris, raising funds for Age UK in honour of their grandmother, Tricia Petts, who died in January 2025.

Chris will now run his third London Marathon in 2027 to raise money for St John Ambulance, the "incredible charity that played a role in saying my brother's life".