45,000 runners prepare for virtual London Marathon along their own 26.2mile routes

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As many as 45,000 people have braved torrential rain and heavy wind to run the 40th London Marathon along their own 26.2-mile route on Sunday after the usual mass event was scrapped due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Only elite athletes were allowed to brave the pouring rain to run over 19.8 laps of a fenced-off course in a ‘controlled secure biosphere’ around St James’s Park, London, today due to social-distancing restrictions. 

And while the women’s professional race has already crowned its winner – Kenyan world record holder Brigid Kosgei – thousands of runners took to the great outdoors to run their own route – a challenge taken up in part by the Countess of Wessex. 

Sophie was pictured jogging along the Long Walk in Windsor as she joined the first 1.5-miles of the Mencap running team’s virtual marathon this morning.

The charity – of which she has been a patron since 2004 – supports people learning disabilities and are the marathon’s official charity partner for 2020. 

And Countess was not the only royal to lend their support, as Prince Harry wished runners good luck and praised participants for providing a ‘lifeline’ for vulnerable people amid the pandemic by raising money for various charities. 

The Duke of Sussex – who is also patron of the London Marathon Charitable Trust – posed with runners who were starting off in a much sunnier Los Angeles park. 

The annual race was due to take place on April 26 but was pushed back to October 4, and it was later decided only the elite athletes would be able to race in central London.

In address to participants, the Duke of Sussex praised the ‘extraordinary spirit’ of runners taking part from his home in Los Angeles.

‘This year, sadly, it’s not possible for everyone to run together on the streets of London in the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon,’ he said.

‘Instead, 45,000 runners from 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.

‘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.  

Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, an eleven-time Paralympic champion and six-time London Marathon champion, was announced as the official race starter after Lord Sebastian Coe was forced to pull out. 

Kenyan Kosgei cruised to a dominant victory in the women’s elite race this morning, overcoming her rivals on an unfamiliar multi-lap course in relentless rain to triumph in two hours, 18.58 minutes.

Running her first marathon since setting the world record of 2:14.04 in Chicago a year ago, Kosgei ran alongside compatriot Ruth Chepngetich until around the 20-mile mark, when she forged clear to open a lead of about 50 metres within a couple of minutes.

She then ran strongly for the rest of the race, looking comfortable, with American Sara Hall producing an incredible finish to snatch second place from world champion Chepngetich in 2:22.01 to the Kenyan’s 2:22.05. 

Eliud Kipchoge is the red-hot favourite to win the men’s race on the same course later on Sunday. 

It comes as Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia, the second fastest man in history over the marathon distance, was forced to withdraw from the race with a calf injury.

He was due for a showdown with Kipchoge, who set the fastest ever time at last year’s event and could make history yet again if he seals a record fifth marathon win.

Other participants will now take part wherever they choose and people will be on the streets of the UK and 109 other countries completing their own marathon between midnight and 11.59pm.

People are able to break up the distance however they like across the day and event director Hugh Brasher said: ‘It was about inclusivity, removing the pressure that people can feel on event day.

‘There’s a reason we have a cut-off, because we have to reopen roads, to reopen London to get it back up and running. But that pressure is removed.’

Several famous faces have sent messages of support to charity runners and elite athletes, including heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua.

‘I just want to say good luck to everyone, this is going to be a marathon like no other before,’ he said in a video message.

‘That’s why I wanted to get this message of support across to you to wish you all well, we are all in this together.

‘Take in that fresh air, be efficient and just enjoy it! Be in the moment.’ 

The marathon’s vision is Inspiring Activity and Mr Brasher said the unusual 40th event fitted with that vision.

He said: ‘We are delighted to say that’s how we believe the 40th race should be run. A celebration of achievement.

‘That was always part of the thinking. This is not the same as it has been for the other 39 years. For some people it’s better, for some people it’s not as good.’

Asked if he would feel relief when the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon was finally over, Mr Brasher said: ‘What I hope is after the marathon I will feel enormously proud of what the team has achieved, what the public will have achieved and what the elite athletes will have achieved.

‘It will live in my memory for a long, long time.’

Many runners in the UK will face wet and windy weather, with a Met Office rain warning in place until noon which covers Wales, eastern Scotland and much of England. 

Catherine Woodhead, chief executive of Muscular Dystrophy UK, is one of 117 people taking part to help the charity, which has seen its income fall by £2.8 million.

Mrs Woodhead, 48, who plans to walk 26.2 miles from her home in Chelmsford, Essex, said she would not have felt able to take part in the mass event in central London.

Of MDUK’s Team Orange runners, 38 signed up after the virtual marathon was announced and Mrs Woodhead said at least one family planned to push their child in a wheelchair, adding: ‘There are people who could never do it normally who can take part.

‘It will be really inclusive.’

This year’s charity of the year is Mencap which has 10 runners with a learning disability among its 312 participants.

This year’s event will be very different but completing 26.2 miles is still the same challenge.

Martin Yelling, the official coach of the Virgin Money London Marathon, told runners in a Facebook Live event: ‘One of the things to remember is tough moments do pass.’

He added: ‘It may not be what we had in mind but it’s a wonderful way to experience running a marathon.’