Paramedic walks final London Marathon mile six months after cardiac arrest

Gareth Hopkins, a paramedic from Hertfordshire who suffered a cardiac arrest during the London Marathon, has walked the race’s final mile six months later, saying he wanted to finish what he started.

Hopkins, 43, collapsed at the 25-mile point on 26 April. He was treated in intensive care at St Thomas’ Hospital for six months and returned home in September. He said he had to learn to walk, talk and eat again.

On Sunday, a month after leaving hospital, he walked the unofficial final mile past Buckingham Palace and along The Mall with family, friends and supporters. Hopkins estimated that about 200 people came to cheer him on.

“I just wanted to be able to walk to the finish line,” he said. “I just feel happy it went really well and it was a lot better than I thought.”

Hopkins had entered his first marathon with his brother Chris to raise money for Age UK, in memory of their grandmother, who died in January 2025. He has raised £2,900 towards a £3,000 target. Chris plans to run the 2027 London Marathon for St John Ambulance, whose responders helped Hopkins after he collapsed.

Hopkins said he would not run another marathon. He remains unable to work, and a separate fundraising page to support his family has raised nearly £36,000.