A paramedic was being treated in intensive care today after suffering a cardiac arrest just one mile from the finish line of the London Marathon.

Gareth Hopkins, 43, of Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, was running on April 26 in memory of his late grandmother to raise money for the charity Age UK.

But the father, who has worked for East of England Ambulance Service for 20 years, was taken to hospital at mile 25 and is now critically ill in hospital.

More than £26,000 has now been raised on a GoFundMe page set up by friends to help his wife Jodie and their young children while he receives treatment.

Mr Hopkins's friends James Pearson and Katie Earley wrote on the page: 'As many of you already know, our dear friend and colleague, Gareth Hopkins, tragically suffered a cardiac arrest at mile 25 of the London Marathon on Sunday 26 April.

'Gareth was running in support of Age UK in memory of his beloved late Nan. He is currently critically ill in intensive care at a London hospital. While the future remains uncertain, we continue to stay hopeful and positive.

'This sudden and devastating event has had a profound impact on Gareth's wife, Jodie, their young children, his parents, and his brother.

'Gareth has dedicated the past 20 years to serving others as a paramedic with the East of England Ambulance Service. Throughout his career, he has always been committed to helping people in their time of need.

'Many friends, family, and colleagues have kindly asked how they can support Gareth and his family during this incredibly difficult time. 

'In response, we have set up this page to help ease some of the financial and practical pressures while Gareth receives treatment in London. Thank you all for your kindness, love, and support.'

Mr Hopkins only started running last August and entered the marathon with his brother Chris, the head groundsman at Stevenage Football Club.

They were running for their late grandmother Tricia Potts who died in January last year after suffering for six years with Alzheimer's and dementia.

Mr Hopkins told the BBC before the race: 'I've never done any exercise for five years. I don't go to the gym; I'm not a runner. I watched Chris do it last year… and I thought 'I can probably do that'.'

He added that when he started the NHS 'Couch to 5K programme', he could not even run for two minutes – but had since lost a stone in weight.

Mr Hopkins also said he did not expect to be as fast as his brother but was determined to finish 'regardless' despite enduring pain in his shins.

The race saw Sabastian Sawe smash the marathon world record and become the first man to break the two-hour barrier in an official competition to win the event in one hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds.

The Kenyan defended his 2025 title, beating Yomif Kejelcha by 11 seconds. The Ethiopian runner-up also crossed the line in one hour, 59 minutes and 41 seconds, while Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda finished third in two hours, 28 seconds.

All three were faster than the previous official world record of two hours, 35 seconds set by the late Kelvin Kiptum in 2023, while Sawe's time was also 10 seconds faster than the unofficial one hour, 59 minutes and 40 seconds set by Eliud Kipchoge in 2019.

There was also a new standard set in the women's race, won by Tigst Assefa, who defended her London Marathon crown in a women's-only world record two hours, 15 minutes and 41 seconds.