Completing a marathon is generally enough to deal with in one day. But runner Alex Prior decided to make the day even more memorable by popping the question.
A marathon runner had more than just the finish line in sight as he approached the end of the London Marathon on Sunday.
Not content with completing the 26.2 mile challenge, Alex Prior decided to make the day even more memorable by proposing to his girlfriend on the final section of the route.
Alex, who grew up in Cranleigh, popped the question to partner Jess Seldon, 27, near Buckingham Palace, with 200m of the run to go.
The 25-year-old described Sunday as the “biggest day” of his life, taking on the route before attempting to get down on one knee.
“I had done two marathons before this and the atmosphere was always amazing”, he said. “I decided to do the London Marathon and all my family and friends said they would come and watch. I thought it would be a perfect time to do it.”
The former Glebelands School pupil started planning the proposal in November last year, roping in his friend Chris Ersser to help him, and asking Jess’s parents for their permission.
Mr Prior and his fiancée, a civil servant from Brighton, met at university in London four years ago.
On the day Chris and Colin, Alex’s dad, arrived early in the capital to get a good spot close to the finish line.
“I was thinking about running with the ring but it’s a good job I didn’t given how hot it was, and I could have dropped it,” Alex added. “So Chris held onto it for me, and when I saw him I gave him a high five and got the ring. We had practiced that before.
“When I got to Jess I did try to get down on one knee, but my hamstring was so tight I couldn’t do it. Jess didn’t know what was going on, she thought I was stopping for a chat.
“She said ‘what are you doing? Keep going and get your time’. It was loud all the way round but the noise was deafening.
“I had planned a speech but I just said ‘will you marry me’.
“It was perfect, so many things could have gone wrong if the weather had been rubbish or if they couldn’t get a good spot. But it went off without a hitch.”
Alex, who works for the Surrey County FA, stopped to take a quick selfie with Jess, friends and family, before carrying on to complete the marathon in three hours, 23 minutes and 50 seconds.
He said he had to text Jess after crossing the line to double check she had actually said yes.
The newly engaged couple then headed to Green Park with family and friends to celebrate.
He added: “I was thinking about it all the way round. At the 20 mile point the pain started and I was thinking why am I doing this?
“This was the biggest event in my life. It is a massive run and you are nervous about that anyway
(via Get Surrey)
