Marathoner completes final mile six months after cardiac arrest

Summarised from BBC Beds Bucks And Herts's report · Updated 4 Nov, 06:17 · Archive

A paramedic who suffered cardiac arrest at mile 25 of the London Marathon in April has walked the final mile, six months later.

Gareth Hopkins, 43, a paramedic from Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, suffered cardiac arrest at the 25th mile of the London Marathon on 26 April. His heart stopped due to severe rhabdomyolysis, a condition caused by overheating. He spent six months in intensive care at St Thomas' Hospital and had to relearn how to walk, talk and eat after his recovery.

Hopkins had been running the marathon for the first time in April with his brother Chris, raising funds for Age UK in memory of their grandmother, Tricia Petts, who died in January 2025. On Sunday, six months later and a month after leaving hospital, he walked the final mile through central London by Buckingham Palace and along The Mall with family, friends and supporters. He said he was 'nervous' but felt 'happy it went really well and it was a lot better than I thought'.

Read the report

• Man walks final London Marathon mile six months onGareth Hopkins suffered a cardiac arrest at the 25th mile of the London Marathon in April.BBC Beds Bucks And Herts · 4 Nov, 05:53

In this story: Gareth Hopkins · Chris Hopkins · London Marathon · St Thomas' Hospital · Age UK · Hoddesdon · Hertfordshire

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