Prince Harry, who became patron of the London Marathon Charitable Trust this year, will hand trophies to the first three finishers in the men's and women's races, and those in the men's and women's wheelchair events.

He will also present prizes to winners in the Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon, races to be held over the final three miles of the course involving young runners aged 11 to 17 from across the country.

"We are delighted to have Prince Harry with us to present awards to our runners this year," said Virgin London Marathon joint race director David Bedford.

"Prince Harry is a great supporter of the event and it is especially fitting to have a royal presence during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee year."


The 36,000 runners will also be given a memorable send-off on their 26-mile journey through the capital when Tyler (pictured above) sets them on their way from Blackheath.

Tyler won silver medals in the high jump at Berlin, when she was only 16, and later at London – making her the only woman to claim Olympic athletics medals before and after World War Two; she also competed at the Helsinki 1952 and Melbourne 1956 Games.

"I still love athletics and look forward to starting the London Marathon," said south Londoner Tyler, now a sprightly 92-year-old.

"It's nice to still be involved even at my age."

"It's fantastic to have Dorothy with us to start the race," said Bedford.

"She is s true legend of the sport and it's fitting to have a great Olympian with us just three months before the London Olympic Games."

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