The 39-year-old completed this year’s edition of the event, held on April 24, in a time of 5hrs 45min 18 sec.

Foudy, a serving police officer, was running the marathon in a bid to raise funds for the Luton and Dunstable Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, who helped save the life of daughter Catrin after she suffered organ failure and a brain haemorrhage in January 2010.

“Shannon epitomises the spirit of the London Marathon,” London Marathon event director Hugh Brasher said.

“She was a novice runner inspired to take on the challenge of 26.2 miles for a very personal cause and it’s wonderful she is our millionth finisher.”

The news was announced after organisers confirmed there had been a record 253,930 entrants for next year’s London Marathon, which represents an increase of over 6,000 on the previous best of 247,069, set for the 2016 event.

Around 56 per cent of those who put themselves forward for the 2017 edition have never run a marathon before.

“These numbers reflect the huge success of the 36th London Marathon on 24 April,” Brasher added.

“One of our goals is to inspire people to take up sport and more than 142,000 people have been inspired to apply to run a marathon for the first time in 2017.

“In 1981, less than 300 of the finishers were women.

"More than 110,000 women have applied to run next year and for first timers to marathon running it is virtually a 50/50 split of men and women. 

“The London Marathon has had an extraordinary impact that has helped to inspire profound social change.

“It is an iconic event that compels people to take up running and to raise millions for charity.

"The London Marathon Charitable Trust has enabled thousands more to get active through its funding of a huge range of recreational projects.”

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge won the elite men’s race in 2:04, while compatriot Jemima Sumgong took the women’s honours in 2:22:58.