There was a dramatic moment in this year’s London Marathon when runner David Wyeth began struggling with tiredness as he approached the finish line. Battling to run, the competitor was helped by selfless fellow runner, Matthew Rees, who put his arm around David to cross the finish line together. Princes William and Harry, who attended this year’s marathon to support runners participating for charity Heads Together, looked on in concern as the two men slowly crossed the line of the 26 mile race, helped by a steward. The royal pair could be seen clapping for David and Matthew, surrounded by an emotional crowd.
It had been a busy day for Princes William and Harry, along with Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, who together marked the beginning of the famous race by pressing the start button. They then remained on the podium for 15 minutes cheering on the runners and waving. In Greenwich, the trio joined supporters for mental health charity Heads Together and spent half an hour chatting with them as runners passed by. "Well done guys," William shouted. "Thank you so much," Catherine told some of the 700 people running on behalf of the charity.
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Harry enjoyed chatting to competitors at the pre-race warm-up at Blackheath and gave many runners a supportive hug. One woman told Harry: “You’re like my little brother,” to which Harry laughed: “Oh was he ginger with a beard?” In another meeting, Harry chatted with a lady called Sally Orange, 43, from Stafford who was dressed as a strawberry. She told the prince of her challenge to run seven marathons on seven continents dressed as seven different pieces of fruit. “Doesn’t it get hot?” said Harry.