A St Albans woman who ran the London Marathon for the British Heart Foundation described it as an “incredible” experience.

Emily Hickey-Mason, 25, ran the marathon in honour of two of her grandparents, who suffered serious strokes, and her dad, who lives with an irregular heartbeat.

She said: “It was such an incredible experience. I was grinning the whole way round up until the 20 mile mark when the nausea hit!

“The crowds took me the final 6.2 miles and I managed to finish in under four hours which I’m pleased with. A huge thank you to everyone who sponsored me and helped me raise the £2,000 for the BHF’s life saving research.”

Emily, who works as a media officer for the British Heart Foundation, used to be part of St Albans Athletics Club but gave up sports after a serious injury. Since recovery she has competed in the Birmingham and Richmond half marathons.