Policewoman named London Marathon's millionth runner

London - A British policewoman was on Monday announced as the millionth person to have finished the London Marathon in the race's 35-year history.

Shannon Foudy, 39, from the town of Hemel Hempstead near London, completed this year's course in five hours and 45 minutes, which organisers said made her the race's millionth finisher.

She was running her first marathon and raised more than £2 000 for a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) that treated her six-year-old daughter Catrin for organ failure and a brain haemorrhage.

"I knew about the #oneinamillion campaign and it's unbelievable that I am the millionth finisher," Foudy said in a statement released by organisers.

"I ran to say thank you to the Luton and Dunstable NICU and it is the most worthwhile thing I have ever done."

Event director Hugh Brasher said: "Shannon epitomises the spirit of the London Marathon.

"She was a novice runner inspired to take on the challenge of 42.2km for a very personal cause and it's wonderful she is our millionth finisher."