London Marathon runner completes race six months after collapsing close to the finish line

A London Marathon runner has completed the race six months after suffering a cardiac arrest in the final stretch. Gareth Hopkins, a 43-year-old paramedic from Hertfordshire, collapsed on the last mile of the capital’s marathon in April. His heart stopped beating for 16 minutes and he was forced to spend four months at Northwick Park Hospital’s rehabilitation unit, learning to walk, talk and eat again. Against all odds, Mr Hopkins battled through kidney failure and numerous infections to return to the very spot where he collapsed to complete the final mile.Gareth Hopkins with his wife and two sons after completing the raceThe StandardMr Hopkins showed pride, determination and grit as he crossed the finish line in the Mall on Sunday, walking the final mile of the 26.2 mile course from Victoria Embankment in memory of his grandmother, for whom he has raised more than £3,000 for Age UK. More than 200 of Mr Hopkins’ friends and family walked the final mile in an emotional moment for the family - 160 more than the family had expected. Mr Hopkins was joined by 200 others as he crossed the finish line in memory of his grandmotherThe StandardThe team at Enhanced Care Services joined Mr Hopkins to watch him complete the raceThe StandardMr Hopkins was also joined by his rehabilitation team from Northwick Park Hospital and the whole team at Enhanced Care Services - the paramedics who attended to him on race day. Dr Edward Lang, managing director at Enhanced Care Services, said of Mr Hopkins’ victory: “We were so thrilled to be able to meet Gareth and his family on Sunday. Seeing him cross the line meant so much to our team who provided incredible care that day.”He added: “We founded Enhanced Care Services over ten years ago to raise the standard of care available at events, and it is moments like this that make it truly worthwhile."In a post on X, Mr Hopkins’ brother Chris wrote: “6 months after suffering a cardiac arrest at mile 25 of the London Marathon, my brother finally completed his final mile today“The courage, strength and determination he’s shown throughout his recovery has been incredibleMr Hopkins crosses the finish lineThe StandardThanks to the kindness of another runner, Mr Hopkins was able to celebrate with a medalThe StandardMr Hopkins can be seen walking hand in hand with his wife and two of their children along the London Marathon route. Read MoreShe described the moment when she realised something was wrong, before finding out that her husband had gone into cardiac arrest at the medical tent. Mrs Hopkins recalled her husband’s recovery, spending several weeks in intensive care and the question marks around whether he would ever wake. Thankfully, after 28 days in intensive care, Mr Hopkins showed signs of waking and was moved to Northwick Park where he learned to walk, talk, and eat again. Mr Hopkins also spoke out for the first time since the tragic day in September, telling the Standard of his “determination” to cross the finish line. It was on that day that Mr Hopkins also received a medal. Despite not being eligible for an official medal from the TSA London Marathon, Mr Hopkins was handed a medal courtesy of a donor. He wore the medal with pride as he crossed the finish line with his family. Mr Hopkins was told he would never walk, talk or eat by himself againThe StandardHis hope for the future is that he can return to work and continue to look after his children. But he will take pride in being able to honour all those who cared for him and his grandmother whom he was running the race in memory of. A Gofundme page has been set up to aid Gareth’s recovery - click the link to help support him and his family.