02 April 2023 , 13:29
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Mark Wright often has women gawking over his physique, but this time he had former X Factor host Dermot O'Leary gushing over his washboard abs.
The former The Only Way Is Essex star has been documenting his journey ahead of the full marathon, which is being held later this month.
Mark, 36, ran the marathon last year and was helped over the finish line by an unsuspecting hero after the reality start started to experience cramp in his leg.
But while his wife Michelle Keegan often gawks over his gym-honed body and ripped abs, this time, it was Dermot who couldn't help himself as they bumped into one another.
Dermot O'Leary gushed over Mark Wright's 'washboard abs' (INSTAGRAM)
Mark later met up with Curtis and AJ PritchardAhead of the race, Mark took to Instagram to reveal he'd bumped into the presenter and they certainly appeared to be happy.
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Mark gushed: "Look who I've found at the start line the legend himself O'Leary."
While Dermot went on to add: "There he is, the legend, the washboard" as he patted Mark's ripped abs while the TOWIE star started to laugh.
Later on, Mark reunited with AJ Pritchard and Curtis Pritchard who they referred to as "The Challenge UK fam", after they competed in the reality show which Mark hosts.
Throughout the 13 mile event, Mark updated his fans and once again took to social media when he had just one mile to go.
Mark completed the event in 1 hour and 36 minutes (PA)
The reality star later announced he was now an ambassador for the JE3 Foundation (PA)While crossing Westminster Bridge, he said: "We got this, one mile to go, it ain't easy!"
The event saw runners zoom past the City of London as well as Westminster, Leicester Square, St. Paul's Cathedral and Tower Hill.
Michelle Keegan's husband completed the event in an eye-watering 1 hour and 36 minutes and celebrated after raising funds for the JE3Foundation.
He proudly gushed: "Another challenge banked!! The London Half Marathon 1:36:12 happy enough with that. Running for a charity very close to my heart @je3foundation a charity I am privileged to announce I am now an ambassador for.
"Well done to everyone out there today who got that done, you should be so proud of yourself."
The Justin Edinburgh 3 (JE3) Foundation was founded in 2019 and empowers organisations, as well as people to act quickly and with sound knowledge to help an individual who is in cardiac arrest, by increasing access to defibrillators and CPR training.
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This year, Mark is completing the marathon with his brother Josh, 33, mum Carol, 63, and dad Mark, 67, and they hope to cross the finish line in three hours and 30 minutes – knocking 11 minutes off his 2022 time.