Skip to content

Runner's surprise proposal at marathon finish line

Wales Marathon Thomas down on one knee at the finish line where Sarah hold her hands to her mouth in shock Wales Marathon
Sarah John had no clue her boyfriend of seven years would propose at the Tenby Marathon

A marathon runner who saw her partner down on one knee as she crossed the finish line said the moment was "the most thoughtful proposal I could have ever imagined".

Sarah John, 26, from Pembrokeshire, said it felt "incredible" when Thomas Grenfell popped the question at the end of the Tenby Marathon.

Mr Grenfell, also 26, from Cwmdu, Powys, said: "It all worked out absolutely perfectly."

The couple have been together since meeting in their first year at University of South Wales seven years ago.

"We went through university together, all of Covid, got our first house together this year and now we are engaged," said Ms John, who said yes at the finish line of her second marathon.

"I was so overwhelmed anyway, looking around to spot all of my family," she said.

"So to turn and see Tom down on one knee at the end was the most incredible feeling ever.

Allow TikTok content?

This article contains content provided by TikTok. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

"I honestly think it helped with the pain because the adrenaline of the engagement as well as the buzz of finishing the marathon," she told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"I did not have a clue that he was going to propose," she added.

Sarah John Sarah holding her hand up with an engagement ring beside Thomas, both smilingSarah John
Thomas says fitness is a "big part" of their life together

"I knew I wanted to do something related to fitness because it's a big part of our life together," Mr Grenfell said.

"When she told me she wanted to do the Tenby Marathon I thought this is the perfect opportunity."