Today, The Countess of Wessex took part in the 2020 London Marathon. Sophie looked in high spirits despite the gloomy weather, running on behalf of Mencap, of which she is patron.
Sophie ran alongside Tomas Cardillo-Zallo, who has learning disabilities and is an advocate for Mencap. She completed 1.5 miles in Windsor Great Park with Tomas as part of his 26.2-mile marathon. The 1.5 miles represents the 1.5 million people living with disabilities in the UK.
??♀️The Countess of Wessex joins Tomas for part of his first-ever marathon in support of @mencap_charity #TeamMencap.
HRH ran 1.5 miles alongside Tomas to represent the 1.5 million people in the UK with a learning disability.
? Music: Mencap’s ‘cheer’ anthem Side by Side. pic.twitter.com/vTiLBr17Sy
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 4, 2020
The full marathon route saw Tomas run along the River Thames to his home in Kingston-Upon-Thames.
The annual event had adapted due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Originally scheduled for April in the capital, today’s marathon saw athletes running the distance in their own environment and own route.
The Countess 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.
The Countess of Wessex ran 1.5 miles in Windsor Great Park today, with one of Mencap’s ambassadors for the London Marathon (@Mencap/Twitter)
Sophie, The Countess of Wessex helped Tomas run part of his London Marathon at Windsor (@Mencap/Twitter)
‘Tomas has shown what people with a learning disability can achieve with the right support. He is an inspiration.”
Sophie donned trainers and a Mencap bib for the run in the rain. In 2016, the Countess completed a Diamond Challenge for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, cycling 445 miles from Edinburgh to London! As far as we know, Princess Beatrice is the only Royal to have completed the London Marathon.
Mencap, was founded in 1946 by Judy Fryd became one of The Queen’s patronages in 1986. The charity offers support to carers and families with learning disabilities and the children themselves, and is the 2020 London Marathon’s official charity partner. The Countess of Wessex took over the patronage in 2004.
“Tomas has shown what people with a learning disability can achieve with the right support. He is an inspiration!”- The Countess of Wessex
Congratulations to Tomas, the 312 #TeamMencap runners & all virtual #LondonMarathon runners who took part in the 26.2 miles challenge today. pic.twitter.com/lJv3wPYSud
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 4, 2020
Mencap Chief Executive Edel Harris commented: “We are incredibly grateful to HRH The Countess of Wessex for running part of the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon with Tomas to help raise awareness about learning disability.”
