Both the London and the Manchester Marathons take place this morning - and when it comes to the London event, only one royal has ever entered the gruelling challenge and completed it
Runners will be pounding the streets of both London and Manchester today trying to complete all 26 miles of the gruelling marathon. The Royal Family boasts several members with sporty credentials, however only one has actually completed the tough race - and not only did she finish the route, she also set a record.
That royal is Princess Beatrice, who ran the race in 2010 for her mother Sarah Ferguson’s charity Children in Crisis. Beatrice was one of 34 runners who joined together to form a human caterpillar and were tied to each other while running the route. Among the others taking were part were her then-boyfriend Dave Clarke and friends Sam and Holly Branson.
Princess Beatrice took part in the London Marathon in 2010(Image: Getty Images)
Beatrice donned a fluorescent tutu and sweatbands for the race and was pictured cheering with her medal after crossing the finishing line. And impressively, the group broke the record for being the most people to finish a marathon while tied together.
Although they’ve never personally run the marathon, both the Prince and Princess of Wales did make a special appearance at the event in 2017. The couple cheered on participants from a water station as they helped to drum up support for the ’Heads Together’ mental health charity.
They dished out high-fives and selfies to the crowds, having earlier started the event by pressing a large red button. However, they got a little more than they bargained for as they handed out water to parched athletes - as runners squirted them with their bottles.
Some of the 39,000 stopped for handshakes and others for selfies but when a few decided to spray water they did not look amused as some landed on their jackets.
Kate - who is now in remission cancer - previously admitted that she would love to have a go at the annual 26.2 miles race. But she’s not allowed. Journalist Bryony Gordon, who has met Kate and completed the marathon, revealed that she once asked the royal if she would consider doing it.
Bryony told Runner’s World: "I can’t remember exactly what happened, but I was like, ’Are you going to run the marathon?’ And she was like, ’Oh I can’t because security is a bit difficult.’ But I was like, ’Sure, yeah, yeah, good excuse! If I can do it, anyone can.’"
Meanwhile, the Duchess of Edinburgh, completed part of the marathon in 2020 when people ran it socially distanced. She ran 1.5 miles in the pouring rain alongside one of the 45,000 runners taking on the challenge. She joined Tomas, who was running to raise cash for Mencap, which she is patron of.
William and Kate helped runners at the London Marathon in 2017 (Image: PA)
The charity supports the 1.5 million people with a learning disability across the UK by providing social care support to adults and campaigning for better healthcare, employment and financial support.
The London Marathon will weave through the streets of the capital from Greenwich to Westminster today, with thousands of spectators expected to line the route. Over 50,000 people are expected to take on the mammoth two-foot tour of London landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, Cutty Sark and Tower Bridge.
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