A runner who died at the finishing line of the London Marathon had suffered breathing problems in the weeks before the race.
He added it been suggested to him his condition was “not hayfever, but due to pollution and the dust from the Sahara.”
Robert Berry collapsed and died at the finish line of Sunday's London Marathon
He added: “Hope so as I don’t want to be running like this during the Marathon.”
Earlier this month the UK endured record levels of air pollution, thanks to a phenomenon known as “Sahara dust” – a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
Experts warned the dust can trigger hayfever-like symptoms and cause existing respiratory problems to flare up, prompting a warning to those with lung or heart disease to avoid strenuous exercise outside.
Berry took part in the race to raise money for the National Osteoporosis Society.
His target had been £1,700 but at time of press, more than £37,000 has been donated to his JustGiving page since he died.
Berry, who worked in IT services, ran the Reading half-marathon last month. According to his training regime, he had been preparing for the race since December.
A statement from race organiser Virgin Money said: "It is with regret that we can now confirm that Mr Robert Berry, aged 42, collapsed at the finish of the London Marathon. He was immediately taken to one of our medical facilities where he was treated by four consultants, including one in emergency medicine. He was transferred to St Mary's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
"The organisers of the Virgin Money London Marathon would like to continue to express their sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Berry and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with them all at this difficult time."
Sahara Dust Comes To London
(01 of24)
'Dust rain' has been reported in areas around London leaving a fine red-colour dust on cars.The dust has actually travelled all the way from the Sahara Desert in North Africa. It's been transported by a south easterly breeze The Prime Ministers car covered outside No10. (credit:Rex)
(02 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
(03 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
(04 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
(05 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
(06 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
(07 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
(08 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
(09 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
Air Pollution Reaches High Levels Across London(10 of24)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: The Canary Wharf financial district is seen through smog from the soon to be opened Orbit Tower and the Olympic Park on April 2, 2014 in London, England. Dust from the Sahara combined with pollution from mainland Europe has contributed to one of the worst smogs of the year this week with record levels being recorded in parts of England on Tuesday. The BBC weather centre predicts a potential 8 or 9 out of 10 level of air pollution likely to be found in East Anglia and the East Midlands later today. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Air Pollution Reaches High Levels Across London(11 of24)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: The Canary Wharf financial district is seen through smog from the soon to be opened Orbit Tower and the Olympic Park on April 2, 2014 in London, England. Dust from the Sahara combined with pollution from mainland Europe has contributed to one of the worst smogs of the year this week with record levels being recorded in parts of England on Tuesday. The BBC weather centre predicts a potential 8 or 9 out of 10 level of air pollution likely to be found in East Anglia and the East Midlands later today. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Air Pollution Reaches High Levels Across London(12 of24)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: A general view of the 02 Arena through smog on April 2, 2014 in London, England. Dust from the Sahara combined with pollution from mainland Europe has contributed to one of the worst smogs of the year this week with record levels being recorded in parts of England on Tuesday. The BBC weather centre predicts a potential 8 or 9 out of 10 level of air pollution likely to be found in East Anglia and the East Midlands later today. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Air Pollution Reaches High Levels Across London(13 of24)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: A general view through smog over the 02 Arena and the Canary Wharf financial district on April 2, 2014 in London, England. Dust from the Sahara combined with pollution from mainland Europe has contributed to one of the worst smogs of the year this week with record levels being recorded in parts of England on Tuesday. The BBC weather centre predicts a potential 8 or 9 out of 10 level of air pollution likely to be found in East Anglia and the East Midlands later today. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Air Pollution Reaches High Levels Across London(14 of24)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: A general view through smog of the Canary Wharf financial district on April 2, 2014 in London, England. Dust from the Sahara combined with pollution from mainland Europe has contributed to one of the worst smogs of the year this week with record levels being recorded in parts of England on Tuesday. The BBC weather centre predicts a potential 8 or 9 out of 10 level of air pollution likely to be found in East Anglia and the East Midlands later today. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Air Pollution Reaches High Levels Across London(15 of24)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: A general view of the City of London through smog on April 2, 2014 in London, England. Dust from the Sahara combined with pollution from mainland Europe has contributed to one of the worst smogs of the year this week with record levels being recorded in parts of England on Tuesday. The BBC weather centre predicts a potential 8 or 9 out of 10 level of air pollution likely to be found in East Anglia and the East Midlands later today. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-WEATHER - POLLUTION(16 of24)
Air pollution hangs in the air lowering visibility towards the O2 arena in London, on April 2, 2014. Saharan dust mixed with pollution from Europe and the UK has blanketed a large area of the country, raising air pollution levels to dangerous levels. AFP PHOTO/Leon Neal (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-WEATHER - POLLUTION(17 of24)
Air pollution hangs in the air lowering visibility towards central London and the City from east London, on April 2, 2014. Saharan dust mixed with pollution from Europe and the UK has blanketed a large area of the country, raising air pollution levels to dangerous levels. AFP PHOTO/Leon Neal (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-WEATHER - POLLUTION(18 of24)
Air pollution hangs in the air lowering visibility in London, on April 2, 2014. Saharan dust mixed with pollution from Europe and the UK has blanketed a large area of the country, raising air pollution levels to dangerous levels. AFP PHOTO/Leon Neal (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-WEATHER - POLLUTION(19 of24)
Air pollution hangs in the air lowering visibility in London, on April 2, 2014. Saharan dust mixed with pollution from Europe and the UK has blanketed a large area of the country, raising air pollution levels to dangerous levels. AFP PHOTO/Leon Neal (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(20 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
(21 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
(22 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
(23 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
(24 of24)
London Marathon 2014
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrities Photocall - Tower Bridge(01 of28)
Joe Crowley and Lucy Siegle from The One Show during the celebrities photocall at Tower Bridge, London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrity Photocall - Tower Bridge(02 of28)
Michael Owen pictured at a photocall ahead of the Virgin London Marathon, at the Tower Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrities Photocall - Tower Bridge(03 of28)
(left to right) Nick Pickard, Joe Crowley, Lewis Moody, Keith Senior, James Cracknell, Matt Henry, and Micahel Owen during the celebrities photocall at Tower Bridge, London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrity Photocall - Tower Bridge(04 of28)
Joe Crowley and Lucy Siegle pictured at a photocall ahead of the Virgin London Marathon, at the Tower Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrity Photocall - Tower Bridge(05 of28)
Michael Owen pictured at a photocall ahead of the Virgin London Marathon, at the Tower Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrity Photocall - Tower Bridge(06 of28)
Joe Crowley and Lucy Siegle pictured at a photocall ahead of the Virgin London Marathon, at the Tower Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrity Photocall - Tower Bridge(07 of28)
Laura Wright pictured at a photocall ahead of the Virgin London Marathon, at the Tower Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrity Photocall - Tower Bridge(08 of28)
Charlie Webster pictured at a photocall ahead of the Virgin London Marathon, at the Tower Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrity Photocall - Tower Bridge(09 of28)
Amy Willerton pictured at a photocall ahead of the Virgin London Marathon, at the Tower Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrity Photocall - Tower Bridge(10 of28)
Nick Pickard pictured at a photocall ahead of the Virgin London Marathon, at the Tower Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrity Photocall - Tower Bridge(11 of28)
Amy Willerton pictured at a photocall ahead of the Virgin London Marathon, at the Tower Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrity Photocall - Tower Bridge(12 of28)
Charlie Webster pictured at a photocall ahead of the Virgin London Marathon, at the Tower Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrity Photocall - Tower Bridge(13 of28)
James Cracknell pictured at a photocall ahead of the Virgin London Marathon, at the Tower Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrity Photocall - Tower Bridge(14 of28)
Amy Willerton pictured at a photocall ahead of the Virgin London Marathon, at the Tower Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrity Photocall - Tower Bridge(15 of28)
Charlie Webster pictured at a photocall ahead of the Virgin London Marathon, at the Tower Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrity Photocall - Tower Bridge(16 of28)
Amy Willerton pictured at a photocall ahead of the Virgin London Marathon, at the Tower Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrity Photocall - Tower Bridge(17 of28)
Amy Guy pictured at a photocall ahead of the Virgin London Marathon, at the Tower Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrity Photocall - Tower Bridge(18 of28)
James Cracknell pictured at a photocall ahead of the Virgin London Marathon, at the Tower Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrity Photocall - Tower Bridge(19 of28)
Anna Watkins pictured at a photocall ahead of the Virgin London Marathon, at the Tower Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrity Photocall - Tower Bridge(20 of28)
Keith Senior pictured at a photocall ahead of the Virgin London Marathon, at the Tower Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrity Photocall - Tower Bridge(21 of28)
Lewis Walton Moody pictured at a photocall ahead of the Virgin London Marathon, at the Tower Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrity Photocall - Tower Bridge(22 of28)
Amy Guy pictured at a photocall ahead of the Virgin London Marathon, at the Tower Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrities Photocall - Tower Bridge(23 of28)
Nick Pickard during the celebrities photocall at Tower Bridge, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday April 9, 2014. The 2014 Virgin London Marathon will take place on Sunday. See PA story ATHLETICS Marathon. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrities Photocall - Tower Bridge(24 of28)
James Cracknell during the celebrities photocall at Tower Bridge, London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrity Photocall - Tower Bridge(25 of28)
Amy Willerton pictured at a photocall ahead of the Virgin London Marathon, at the Tower Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrities Photocall - Tower Bridge(26 of28)
Charlie Webster during the celebrities photocall at Tower Bridge, London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrities Photocall - Tower Bridge(27 of28)
Michael Owen during the celebrities photocall at Tower Bridge, London. (credit:PA)
Athletics - Virgin London Marathon 2014 - Celebrities Photocall - Tower Bridge(28 of28)
Michael Owen , during the celebrities photocall at Tower Bridge, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday April 9, 2014. The 2014 Virgin London Marathon will take place on Sunday. See PA story ATHLETICS Marathon. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire (credit:PA)