Prince Harry sends his well-wishes to the 45, 000 people participating in the London Marathon tomorrow and thanks them for allowing the ‘extraordinary spirit’ of the event to continue to ‘shine across the globe’
- Prince Harry, 36, has sent message to those participating in London Marathon
- Told that while runners won’t gather on streets of London, they will complete 26.2 miles in their ‘own way’ and in their ‘own communities’
- Praised them for helping to spread ‘extraordinary spirit’ of event across globe
Prince Harry has sent his well wishes to the individuals participating in the Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday – and thanked them for helping to spread the ‘extraordinary spirit’ of the event across the globe.
The official London Marathon Instagram shared a video of the royal, 36, alongside the caption which read: ‘A special message from the Duke of Sussex to the 45,000 people taking on the Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday.’
The Duke of Sussex- who is Patron of the London Marathon – usually greets winners at the end and presents them with medals.
In the video, the royal addresses the Covid-19 pandemic and can be heard saying: ‘This year sadly it’s not possible for everybody to run together on the streets of London in the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon.’
Prince Harry, 36, has sent his well wishes to the individuals participating in the Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday. Pictured, in a video shared by the London Marathon Instagram page
The video (pictured) was shared alongside the caption which read: ‘A special message from the Duke of Sussex to the 45,000 people taking on the Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday’
‘Instead, 45, 000 runners from across the UK, and 109 countries around the world, will run the 40th race in their own way, taking on the 26.2 miles, in their own communities.
He continues: ‘Thanks to all of you, the extraordinary spirit of the London Marathon will continue to shine across the globe.
‘While we won’t be together in person, we are together in spirit. And the amazing tenacity of runners from around the world is a reminder of our strength and sense of community during these difficult times,
‘I also want to say a huge thank you for everything you are doing to support so many charities who need our help now, more than ever.’
In the clip, the Duke of Sussex can be heard saying: ‘Thanks to all of you, the extraordinary spirit of the London Marathon will continue to shine across the globe’ (pictured)
‘You are providing a lifeline. So please remember that when you cross the line wherever in the world that may be. Have a great Sunday, We’ll all be cheering you on, good luck.’
The only time Prince Harry wasn’t able to attend the London Marathon was in 2014, where he recorded a message and apologised to the runners, before praising them for their efforts.
He said: ‘Good morning everybody. Congratulations on making it this far to the London Marathon 2014.
‘You’ve all done incredibly well so far to raise as much money as you have and now you’re going to have to run for 26 miles around London, which is something that I’m not doing this year and I’m very sad to be missing out.
‘But I am hugely privileged to be patron of the London Marathon. So much support, so much effort and so many volunteer hours go into this so hopefully everybody who’s taking part and helping will have a really fantastic day. I’m sorry to be missing out but good luck and have fun.’
Last April, the Duke of Sussex made a surprise visit to the event to meet volunteers, watch the runners and present medals to the marathon and wheelchair winners – despite rumours of his pregnant wife Meghan could give birth imminently.
It is understood Harry had always planned to go but with the birth of his child Archie due around the period, it was not announced in advance.