A Baldock business boss ran a marathon on the Great Wall of China to raise thousands for cancer research, then proposed to his girlfriend at the finish line.

The Comet: Robert Hegarty running in the Great Wall Marathon. Picture: Albatros Adventure MarathonsRobert Hegarty running in the Great Wall Marathon. Picture: Albatros Adventure Marathons (Image: Archant)

Robert Hegarty, 40, popped the question to 26-year-old Hanka Meszarosova after completing the Great Wall Marathon in 7hrs, 55mins and 29secs on Saturday – making it a double celebration.

Robert, from Letchworth, has so far raised £3,070 for Cancer Research UK with his marathon challenge in honour of his sister Rebecca and dad Martin, who died from cancer within eight months of each other four years ago.

He told the Comet: “This marathon was the hardest thing I have ever attempted. The wall was so hard that it took me nearly two hours to do three miles.

“It’s crazy – the heat was 38°C.

The Comet: Robert Hegarty and his fiancée Hanka Meszarosova after she accepted his marriage proposal at the finishing line of the Great Wall Marathon in China. Picture: Albatros Adventure MarathonsRobert Hegarty and his fiancée Hanka Meszarosova after she accepted his marriage proposal at the finishing line of the Great Wall Marathon in China. Picture: Albatros Adventure Marathons (Image: Archant)

“Hanka was in pure shock as she didn’t have a clue I was going to propose at the end.

“My friend David Harris had come over and he filmed it – he also made sure Hanka was on the finish line.

“When I went down on one knee she started crying, then said yes – making me the happiest man alive.”

You can still donate to Robert’s fundraising at justgiving.com/fundraising/Robert-Hegarty5.