A 22-YEAR-OLD runner who was taken ill after completing the London Marathon has died, race organisers said today.

The young man, who has not been named, collapsed after successfully finishing the 26-mile course and died peacefully this morning said organisers.

They offered their “deepest sympathy and condolences” to his family and friends.

A spokeswoman said a second runner, who had been in a critical condition in hospital last night, was better today and had been transferred to a normal ward.

Yesterday's event was the most gruelling London Marathon ever.

The runners were among 73 taken to hospital as temperatures soared to 73°F — the hottest day in the event’s 27-year history.
Some 5,054 runners were treated by St John’s medics, while 617 of the 36,391 starters had to quit, the highest dropout rate for years.

Chef Gordon Ramsay, who finished in 4hrs 20mins, said: “Even at the ten-mile mark they were dropping like flies. The heat was immense.”
Fun runners in costume were left wilting — none more than Lloyd Scott, 43, who dressed up as Indiana Jones pulling a 23 STONE boulder.
Last night Lloyd and two pals were grimacing on, aiming to finish inside 24 hours.
Organisers had prepared for the heat and drafted in extra drinks to combat dehydration.
But some water stations ran out as parched runners took on extra fluids.
On-course SHOWERS were also installed.
A team of 98 doctors and 1,400 St John Ambulance volunteers battled to tend to race victims.
Some needed oxygen, many were put in wheelchairs and dozens more were stretchered away after collapsing moments after finishing the 26.2 mile course.
One runner known only as Anne — running for the charity Hospice Care — had to be supported by a police officer over the last half a mile.
Another woman collapsed just 600m from the finish and was treated for dehydration.
Just eight people have died since the London Marathon launched in 1981.
Sun-sponsored glamour girl Nell McAndrew ran with mum Nancy, 54, in 5hrs 35mins.

Nell, who became a mum eight months ago, said: “It has been so hot. I am so proud of Mum achieving this in such difficult conditions.”
Other celeb runners included Question of Sport star Matt Dawson and TV’s Apprentice winner Michelle Dewberry. Michelle said: “I saw lots of people being resuscitated. It is scary stuff.”
Matt said: “You could see people just burning up in front of you, as I was.”
The men’s race was won by Kenyan Martin Lel in 2hrs 7mins 41secs.
Chunxiu Zhou was fastest woman in 2hrs 20mins 38secs.
SUN staff braved the heat too. Andrew Dillon, 30, finished in 4hrs 36mins; Peter Nuttall, 34, in 4hrs 59mins; and Veronica Lorraine, 30, in 5hrs 10mins.