A QUEEN MARGARET Hospital medic swapped her operating theatre gown for running shoes at the weekend when she conquered the Virgin Money London Marathon.

Operating department practitioner Lindsay Quinn, 37, tackled the streets of London on Sunday and raised more than £2,000 for the British Heart Foundation by completing the iconic event.

She was spurred on to enter after her dad suffered a heart attack in December 2018.

Doctors tried initially to manage his condition with medication but, after an MRI scan showed his heart was only working at around 38 per cent, he was sent straight for an operation and ended up having a quintuple bypass in October 2019 at the age of 63.

Lindsay only started running four years ago and describes it as her happy place when she has the opportunity to take some time for herself.

She crossed the finish line on Sunday in a time of 3 hours and 59 minutes – beating her goal of running the 26.2 mile course in under four hours.

“Taking part in the London Marathon was a huge challenge and an incredible experience,” she said.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been a long wait to get to the start line and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved and the money I’ve raised for the British Heart Foundation.

“The atmosphere on the day was electric and I want to say thank you to all the amazing people on the sidelines cheering me on; they really inspire you to keep going and put a smile on your face.

“Knowing that the money I have raised will help the British Heart Foundation raise vital funds for life-saving research for people in the UK living with heart and circulatory diseases was also a huge motivator.”

British Heart Foundation events manager Lizzie Moscardini said: “It’s fantastic to see Lindsay’s determination and courage in helping the British Heart Foundation raise life-saving funds for people living with heart and circulatory diseases.

“The stories of why our amazing supporters take part never fails to amaze me and it was incredible to be back at this legendary event, cheering Lindsay and our other BHF runners on.

“It’s thanks to the commitment of people like Lindsay that the BHF has been able to continue to fund groundbreaking discoveries, including pacemakers and genetic testing for inherited heart conditions that help transform lives.”