Man with 'slight pain' ran London Marathon for 21 miles without realising he had broken a hip

A London Marathon runner completed 21 miles of Sunday's event without realising he had a broken hip.

James Sims, 35, told the Evening Standard that he could feel a slight pain during Sunday's race, but tried to "run it out".

He eventually gave in after 21 miles, though not before attempting to finish the course on crutches after a physiotherapist on the route said his discomfort was probably cramp.

It wasn't until a trip to A&E that evening that the self-employed steel fixer from Eltham, southeast London, discovered he had a clean break through his femur.

Doctors believe Sims, who was running for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, broke his hip during training for the 26.2-mile circuit.

He is now unable to walk for up to six weeks after having a metal plate and screw put into his hip.

Despite the prospect of being out of work for months and having to miss a two-week holiday to Dubai and Mauritius with his girlfriend, Sims described his predicament as "one of those things".

"It's nothing compared to what some people with MS have to deal with," he said. "This is going to heal isn't it."

He has raised more than £4,000 for the charity. Anyone who wants to donate can visit Mr Sims' fundraising page here.