Press Release - London Marathon - 3/4/21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  The London Marathon Charitable Trust pays tribute to The Duke of Sussex

The London Marathon Charitable Trust (The Trust) pays tribute to The Duke 
of Sussex for his unstinting support during his time as Patron of the 
charity.

The Duke spent nine years as Patron of The Trust, from January 2012 to 
January 2021.

Sir Rodney Walker, Chairman of The London Marathon Charitable Trust, said: 
"The Duke of Sussex has been a wonderful Patron of The London Marathon 
Charitable Trust since 2012 and we are immensely grateful for his 
unstinting support and interest in our work over the past nine years. 
Everyone at The Trust and the wider London Marathon family sends our best 
wishes and thanks to The Duke for all that he has done for The Trust."

During his time as Patron, The Duke played an active role in the work of 
The Trust and was a regular presence at the London Marathon, presenting 
prizes to the winners of both the elite races and the mini marathon races 
as well as meeting mass runners, volunteers and staff.

In 2017, the Royal Foundation's Heads Together campaign was appointed the 
London Marathon's Charity of the Year - spearheaded by the Duke alongside 
the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The campaign's objective was to raise awareness of mental health and the 
Duke played a huge role, including attending training days for Heads 
Together runners and opening the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon Running 
Show. Memorably, he was also one of the official starters of the 2017 
Virgin Money London Marathon, alongside the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, 
and appeared at various points along the route to cheer the runners on.

Heads Together raised £4 million in 2017 - the most by any Charity of the 
Year - and succeeded in its objective to change the conversation on mental 
health. In his final year as Patron, The Duke of Sussex helped celebrate 
the historic 40th Race in London Marathon history by providing a video 
message for all runners and meeting runners in Los Angeles who were taking 
on the first ever virtual Virgin Money London Marathon.

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