A runner who experienced a cardiac arrest during the London Marathon has completed the final mile of the race six months later. Gareth Hopkins, 43, a paramedic, collapsed near the 25th mile of the event in April due to severe rhabdomyolysis, a condition caused by overheating that led to his heart stopping.
On Sunday, Hopkins walked the final mile of the marathon through London, passing Buckingham Palace and The Mall. He was accompanied by family, friends, and supporters, just one month after being discharged from the hospital. "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," Hopkins stated.
This was Hopkins' first marathon. He and his brother Chris were participating to raise funds for Age UK, in memory of their grandmother, Tricia Petts, who died in January 2025. His brother, Chris, plans to run the 2027 London Marathon to raise money for St John Ambulance, an organization that played a role in saving Gareth's life.