A 24-YEAR-OLD from Flintshire is on the mend after collapsing during the London Marathon.

Michael Gibson from Hawarden was taken to King's College Hospital in the capital after losing consciousness around nine miles into the race on Sunday.

Michael has been monitored by health officials this week and has been told to swallow four litres of water a day until he is given the all clear.

The sports fan is due to visit the Brixton hospital today for one final check-up.

Michael, who studied at Hawarden High School, said: "I have little recollection of what happened.

"I was running at my training pace, then all of sudden felt light-headed and woke to a number of St John Ambulance staff around me.

"Clearly that was the end of my race and I was absolutely gutted that I couldn't complete the marathon after all the hard months of training and fundraising. It was heartbreaking."

But Michael, who works as communications manager for the 2019 Cricket World Cup, was quick to pay tribute to the work of emergency services on the day.

He added: "After being taken to hospital I was told I suffered with Rhabdomyolysis which can lead to serious complications such as kidney failure.

"I am very thankful for the St John Ambulance staff for their swift action and potentially saving my life on the day."

Rhabdomyolysis is a serious syndrome caused by a direct or indirect muscle injury.

It results from the death of muscle fibres and release of their contents into the bloodstream, which can often lead to kidney failure.

The standard Creatine kinase (enzyme) levels in the blood for a healthy adult are between 150 and 300 [WHAT?], but after Michael collapsed his had peaked at just under 28,000.

Michael described it as "perfect storm of heat and general exhaustion" that led to the onset of Rhabdomyolysis, saying he had seen no sign of it in his months of training before the event.

Michael, whose family and girlfriend were in attendance on the day, said: "In hospital there seemed to be a number of people whose race ended between eight to 11 miles, similar to me, as the heat reached its peak.

"The weather on the day was an important factor on everyone involved but that is something that the organisers can't control. I was grateful that I received instant medical support that potentially saved my life.''

Michael's experience has not altered his view of the London Marathon, nor will it deter him from taking part in it in the future.

He added: "The London Marathon is a fantastic and unique event that showcases everything that is great about the United Kingdom.

"I enjoyed every second of it and look forward to taking on the challenge again."

Michael's inspiration for running in the London Marathon came from his late grandmother, who suffered with multiple sclerosis for more than 20 years. He has raised £2,620.70 for MS Society.