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

Image source, Chris Hopkins

Gareth Hopkins said so many people came out for him on Sunday

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”.

Image source, Gareth Hopkins

Gareth Hopkins said before the race he had lost a lot of weight and had got fitter because of his training

Gareth says he does not remember what happened to him on that day.

He became so ill he was first treated in intensive care at St Thomas’ Hospital and was treated there for six months, before finally getting home in September.

He said he had to learn to walk, talk and eat again, all the things he used to take for granted.

“But now I feel like I’ve finished what I started,” he said. “I just wanted to be able to walk to the finish line.”

Image source, Chris Hopkins

Chris (right), Gareth’s brother, said Gareth got his finisher’s medal due to an anonymous donor

Chris, 41, from Whitwell, Hertfordshire, said: “He is so determined and strong – in such a short space of time he is back walking and talking.

“I finished my race just after 2pm, three and a bit hours before I knew what had happened.

“We were tracking Gareth and when he stopped we went looking to find him.

“We then found out he was in a really, really, bad way – he was with St John when we first found him.”

He said the group helped save his life and brought “him back from cardiac arrest”.

Image source, Chris Hopkins

Gareth’s wife Jodie has supported him throughout his recovery journey

Gareth believes about 200 people were there to cheer him on for the final stretch and it was “a bit mad all those people were there just for me”.

“It was the longest marathon ever,” he said. “I’m just a normal person, I didn’t do anything special.”

He said the whole recovery process was stressful for his family, including his wife Jodie, who had been by his side throughout.

“You don’t realise people really care until something like this happens,” he added. “I was doing it for my family.”

Image source, Chris Hopkins

Friends, family and supporters came out to cheer him on on Sunday

He said he “cannot say thank you enough” to everyone who helped save his life.

“I know exactly how lucky I got, I should do the lottery.”

Gareth is still not able to work and a fundraising page set up to help his family has raised nearly £36,000.

He has confirmed he will never do another marathon, adding: “I’ve been banned from running.”

“To be fair, I don’t think I could ever do it again, it’s been emotional,” he said.

Image source, Age UK

Age UK said it was “incredibly grateful” for all the money Gareth and Chris had raised for the charity

Hannorah Lee, fundraising director at Age UK, said: “It was really special to see him complete that final mile and finish what he started earlier this year.

“Gareth’s an inspiration to all of us in ‘Team Age UK’ – we’re so proud of his generosity, determination and spirit.”

He has so far raised £2,900 of his £3,000 target for Age UK.

Image source, Age UK

Gareth and Chris were supported by their parents Tim and Daryl

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