'I'm proud to have come last at the London Marathon'

She said she would not have finished the race without the support of four tailwalkers, who volunteer with the slowest runners, affectionately known as the back of the pack.

As soon as participants drop behind the eight-hour pace, they get allocated help from the team, who accompany them on to the pavements due to the roads reopening, and guide them to the secondary finish line.

Tailwalkers were introduced five years ago after the 2019 race was criticised over support offered to slower runners.

Jo Gennari, who works for the NHS, was instrumental in setting up the group after experiencing the "horrific" marathon in 2019, when she was a pacer for slower runners who got heckled by contractors.

She said: "It's such a joy and a privilege to lead the tailwalker team. We know how hard those participants work to complete the 26.2 miles on the pavement as the crowds thin and they head to the secondary finish.

"Their grit and determination and the stories they tell about why they are participating inspire us all to keep coming back."

'It's about courage'

Shreena Kotecha has spent the last few years improving the experience for the back of the pack, forming a group called Team Finish Together.

She ran the marathon in 2022 in about eight hours and was disappointed by the lack of crowds towards the end, so has made it her mission to celebrate the final finishers.

Shreena Kotecha finished the marathon in just over eight hours in 2022 and wanted to improve the support for the back of the pack [London Marathon]

"Witnessing the sheer joy and emotion on the faces of these participants as they crossed the line, knowing they had an entire community cheering them on, was truly inspiring," she said.

"It's powerful to see them being celebrated as the endurance champions they are, and it reminds us that the marathon is about more than just speed; it's about courage, community, and achieving something extraordinary together."

Sonya Trivedy, executive director of external engagement at Samaritans, said the charity was so grateful to Clair for helping the charity support people in crisis.

"Clair is a true inspiration, both as a runner and a Samaritans listening volunteer, and her incredible spirit was clear for all to see on Sunday," she said.

"When it comes to something as amazing as completing a marathon, you don't finish last, you just get to celebrate the achievement for longer."

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