A London Marathon runner had a special surprise for his Highbridge girlfriend as he jogged through the capital.
Mark Bailey proposed to his long-time partner, Sarah Kidner, while taking part in the 26-mile charity run on Sunday.
It all unfolded as Sarah cheered him on while standing in the crowds as a spectator at the 22-mile mark.
“Mark spotted me and came over – at first I thought something was wrong. He was reaching into his back pocket and I didn’t know why,” she told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“But then he pulled out a ring and asked if I’d marry him! It was completely unexpected and an incredible moment that I will never forget!”
“I said yes, we had a hug and a kiss and then he finished the final four miles.”
She added: “I definitely hadn’t expected anything like this would happen – it was such an exciting moment.”
Mark told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I’d always planned to propose to Sarah in a totally unexpected way at a random time – I didn’t want it to be obvious!”
He added: “I’d actually planned to pop the question at the 14-mile mark, because I knew Sarah would be there, but when I ran past she was on the other side of the road and there were barriers in the way.”
“So I continued on for a further eight miles – I knew I would pass her again and get my second chance!”
“It was such a special moment as I proposed and took her hand. I gave her a peck and a hug and finished the run with an extra spring in my stride!”
Mark, taking part in his first London Marathon, completed the run in a time of four hours and 44 minutes.
He has raised more than £600 for the National Autistic Society and Children With Cancer UK.
