Harriet Cross has become the fastest female MP to have completed the London Marathon after breaking the record set in 2019.
The Scottish Conservative MP for Gordon and Buchan crossed the finishing line in three hours 21 minutes, setting the quickest time to have ever been recorded by a female MP.
The record was previously three hours 57 minutes held by Jo Swinson, the Liberal Democrat leader in 2019.
Harriet was the fastest MP to have completed the race overall, while her party colleague, West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Andrew Bowie, was the second quickest with a time of three hours 58 minutes.
Following the marathon, the pair have raised thousands of pounds for their respective charities – Kayleigh’s Wee Stars and MS Society.
A new world record for the number of finishers was set despite hot conditions during the London event’s 45th edition.
The number of runners to have completed the 26.2-mile route had surpassed the previous record of 55,646 set by the New York Marathon in November.
Scottish Conservative MP for Gordon and Buchan, Harriet Cross, said: “For many years I have wanted to run the London Marathon, and it didn’t disappoint.
“The crowds, the atmosphere and the overall experience was fantastic, even with the hot temperatures which were a test – especially for us Scots taking part!
“It was an added bonus to learn that I had broken the record for the fastest female MP, previously set by Jo Swindon in 2019.
“The London Marathon is the world’s largest annual one-day fundraising event, so to be able to run for such a wonderful charity, Kayleigh’s Wee Stars, is really what it’s all about and an incredible experience that I’ll never forget.”
Scottish Conservative MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, Andrew Bowie added: “It was a tremendous experience.
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“It really is Britain at its best and the crowds push you on when you think you can’t put another foot in front of the other.
“The conditions were extremely challenging. It was very warm and with cloudless skies, having trained in the cold of an Aberdeenshire winter, it was quite a shock.
“But I’m delighted to have raised money for the MS Society, an incredibly important charity who do so much great work.”
