The Covid London Marathon: Up to 45,000 runners brave heavy rain and winds for the virtual race along their own 26.2mile routes while elite athletes do circuits of St James's Park - as Prince Harry lends his support from sunny LA

• Prince Harry praised participants for providing 'lifeline' for vulnerable people by raising money for charities
• The Duke of Sussex posed with runners who were starting off in a much sunnier Los Angeles park today
• Annual race was pushed back to October 4, and only the elite athletes are able to race in central London
• Some 45,000 people will run or walk the 40th London Marathon along their own route due to the pandemic

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, who has been a patron of the charity since 2004, ran in Great Windsor Park alongside Tomas Cardillo-Zallo, one of the 312 people running to support Mencap and a member of the charity's Learning Disability Running team.

She said: 'It was an honour to join Tomas, even just for a small part of his triumph today, as he completes the virtual London Marathon in support of Mencap.

'Tomas has shown what people with a learning disability can achieve with the right support. He is an inspiration.' 

And the 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.

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. Left: Matt Stevenson-Dodd gets ready to run his marathon along the North Wales coast path. Right: Mills Hill Primary School in Oldham heaped praise on Mr Norman who ran his marathon 'in memory of Mrs Lawson'

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Alistair Jones shared a picture with his running shoes to Twitter with the caption: 'After a year in which life has been turned on its head. A year that was meant to see me run marathons in Tokyo, New York and Chicago - I finally get to run a marathon and bag a PB on the streets near my home. Thank you London Marathon you are the silver lining on my running year!'

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Elite runners have already started their races on the track in St James's Park, central London while 45,000 participants will run their own courses virtually

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Prince Harry, a patron of the London Marathon Charitable Trust, wished people good luck and praised participants for providing a 'lifeline' for vulnerable people amid the pandemic by raising money for charities. Pictured: The Duke with runners in Los Angeles

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Runners were urged to take to the great outdoors to run their own route - a challenge taken up in part by the Countess of Wessex (pictured)

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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 morningThe 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.

To ensure all runners at the official event keep a safe distance apart once they finish the race, all athletes and race staff must wear Bump devices around their necks. They will beep if two wearers get too close to each other. 

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. 

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Left: Louise Warbuton is running the marathon in 'rainy Wigan' to raise money for Wigan & Leigh Hospice. Right: Ken Griffiths is pictured with Haslemere Town Mayor John Robini before his marathon

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Two runners were pictured ahead of their marathon on the Isle Wight today. They joined thousands in taking part in the virtual event today

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Colin Burgin-Plews, 52, of South Shields undertakes his fifth marathon in his home town, after this year's event was postponed

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Ran-soaked staff in plastic ponchos were seen preparing for the marathon today. They wore Bump devices on their necks for social distancing. All staff and athletes are wearing the device which will beep if two wearers become too close

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Elite women runners are seen competing in the London Marathon today. Only elite runners are able to participate this year

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Organisers have set out cardboard cutouts of several celebrities and royals (pictured, Prince William and The Queen) along the track after spectators were prevented from attending the closed-loop track

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Elite athletes will have to run 19 laps of the downscaled marathon route, starting near Admiralty Arch and running around St James's Park  before finishing on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace

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Made in Chelsea star Joshua Patterson will run a London Marathon route spelling out the words RISE UP on Strava, to send the nation an inspiring message of support today

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Kenya's Brigid 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

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Kosgei crosses the line to win the London Marathon on Sunday. 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

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

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While speaking to runners ahead of their marathon in LA, Harry asked if they run a 26.2mile route 'before actually running a marathon' as part of their training

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The Duke of Sussex then asks who the runners are running for. One replies: 'I'm running for my mother-in-law too and my mom. My mom just had a stroke last year too so she's kind of recovering. And my mother-in-law is battling brain cancer'

'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. 

While speaking to runners ahead of their marathon in LA, Harry asked if they run a 26.2mile route 'before actually running a marathon' as part of their training.

One participant replies: 'I did not reach marathon distance. I've done a couple of long runs leading to this.'

The Duke of Sussex then asks who the runners are running for. One replies: 'I'm running for my mother-in-law too and my mom. My mom just had a stroke last year too so she's kind of recovering. And my mother-in-law is battling brain cancer.' 

 
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.

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Runner-up Sara Hall - from the US - sprints to the finish of the women's race of the 2020 London Marathon in the rain today

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Great Britain's Tracy Barlow receives her Bump device after the race. All staff and athletes are wearing the device which will beep if two wearers become too close

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Eliud Kipchoge (pictured warming up) is the red-hot favourite to win the men's race on the same course later on Sunday

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.

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The course has been drastically reduced from its usual route starting in Woolwich and snaking along the River Thames to Buckingham Palace, after non-elite racers were stopped from taking part of fears its could cause a virus outbreak

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The Elite Women's Field competes during the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon around St. James's Park. This is the first time the event has taken place outside of April or May

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Running her first marathon since setting the world record of 2:14.04 in Chicago a year ago, Kosgei ran alongside compatriot Ruth Chepngetich (pictured together) until around the 20-mile mark

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Kenya's Chepngethich (front) and Kosgei in action during the Women's Elite Race during the Virgin Money London Marathon around St James' Park

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.

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 Elite women athletes have already brave the rain and windswept track around St James's Park today, with downpours set to last into the afternoon

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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

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It was an early start for the Elite Women's group at just after 7am. Pictured: Runners taking in a last warm up lap'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.'

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