Matt Bliss, a business analyst from Poole, finished the 26.2-mile race in just under three-and-a-half hours, raising vital funds for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) after being diagnosed last May with supraventricular tachycardia.
The condition causes periods of abnormally fast heart rhythm and is caused by electrical impulses not travelling properly through the heart’s chambers.
Matt said: “I’d already completed two previous London Marathons, and I noticed after looking at my watch stats after last year’s marathon that my heart rate had risen to 230 during parts of the run.
“Obviously, that’s not good so I went to my local Nuffield Hospital where they diagnosed me.
“I was also told that I had high blood pressure that runs in my family.
“I underwent an ablation on my heart, which was successful and means I no longer have very fast heart rates, and I now take medication to control my blood pressure.
“I feel fortunate that it was diagnosed and treated as it means I can get on with my life and still run and do all the things I love.”
Matt joined more than 650 BHF runners for the 46th TCS London Marathon, which was held in April and set a new world record for the number of finishers.
The BHF raised more than £1.4 million from the event to support research into treating and preventing cardiovascular disease.
Matt said: “Taking part in the 2026 TCS London Marathon for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) was such a huge challenge and an incredible experience.
“The atmosphere around the course was electric, and it was amazing having so many people cheering me on.
“It made me even more determined to cross the finish line.”
Jas Kaur, events manager at the BHF, said: “It’s fantastic to see Matt’scourage and determination in helping us fund lifesaving research.
“Without the dedication of our team of BHF runners and the commitment of people like Matt, we wouldn’t be able to fund research that has already revolutionised treatments and transformed the lives of millions of people in the UK.
“The stories of why our amazing supporters take part never fail to amaze me, and it was incredible to see Matt and hundreds of others take on such a gruelling challenge to help save and improve lives.”