THE INSIDE STORY
THE COUNTESS OF WESSEX
LEADS A ROYAL MARATHON EFFORT
No one can accuse the Countess of Wessex of failing to go the distance when it comes to supporting her charities.
Approached to complete part of this year’s virtual London Marathon for learning difficulty charity Mencap, of which she is patron, 55-year-old Sophie took it in her stride.
Joining first-time marathon runner Tomas Cardillo-Zallo in Windsor Great Park, the Countess ran the first 1.5 miles to represent the 1.5 million people in the UK who, like Tomas, have a learning disability.
“Thank you for allowing me to come,” she told Tomas. “Let me know how you get on.”
Sophie had nothing but praise for her fellow runner, calling him “an inspiration”.
The mother of two was not the only royal offering encouragement. Taking steps to ensure the event was a success in the US, London Marathon ambassador the Duke of Sussex surprised husband-and-wife team Mark and Chudney Espiritu in Los Angeles with a visit to discuss their run (below).
Describing their talk as being “more like a chat with a friend”, Chudney wrote on Instagram: “I will never forget this day.”
Also helping to make it a memorable event were BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin and former Strictly Come Dancing star
Rob Rinder, who ran in the Cheshire countryside, and Sir Mo Farah, who ran as a pacemaker for the elite men’s race in London.
“It was a very different experience but I really enjoyed myself,” he said.
THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE
BARKING UP THE RIGHT TREE WITH PLANET PLEA
The Duke of Cambridge
