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London Marathon 2017: Kate, William and Harry kick off iconic race

London Marathon runners received a royal send-off as a record number began the gruelling 26.2-mile feat.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry joined hands to press the traditional red button which started the elite men's and mass races.

Kate was spotted joking around with an air horn as the group laughed and joked with each other.

The royal trio were then appeared along the course to lend their support to the 40,000 competitors pounding the streets of the capital.

William, Kate and Harry champion the official charity of 2017's London Marathon, Heads Together, and earlier met racers competing for their campaign.

The royal party met some of their campaign's supporters after arriving casually dressed on Blackheath common, in south-east London, the venue for the start of the marathon.

William's first words to Pippa Creasy and her two grown-up children Will and Henrieta were "Good luck, how's the training been going?", then he added "How's the adrenaline going?"

He added later laughing: "When we were driving in here we saw people sprinting up and down, that's surely not a good tactic."

Mrs Creasy and her son and daughter are running the marathon together to raise money for CALM, a Heads Together charity partner that campaigns against male suicide, after their husband and father, Terry Creasy, a consultant interventional radiologist, took his own life four years ago, aged 55, after an acute struggle with depression.

Royal trio: Runners wave at Kate, William and Harry as they pass the finish line (REUTERS)
Royal trio: Runners wave at Kate, William and Harry as they pass the finish line (REUTERS)

The 59-year-old said her husband had missed a number of family milestones like weddings: "He's not here to share this happiness and that's when we really miss him, and we're going to miss him today because we will think even more about him.

"I can't you how much of an emotional journey it's been, but I'm sure it's the same for everyone. We're all here doing the marathon with many issues."

Among those taking part was Mauro Pizzale, a 45-year-old City worker, running to raise money in memory of Westminster terror attack victim Ayshe Frade.

'Amazing person': Aysha Frade was killed in a terror attack on Westminster (Met Police)
'Amazing person': Aysha Frade was killed in a terror attack on Westminster (Met Police)

Mr Pizzale is a friend of Aysha’s husband John Frade, a sales director at Citigroup’s Canary Wharf offices.

Breast cancer survivor Jackie Scully also married new husband Duncan Sloan on the Cutty Sark shortly before the pair took part in the race.

Breast cancer survivor Jackie Scully and her new husband Duncan Sloan on the The Cutty Sark (PA)
Breast cancer survivor Jackie Scully and her new husband Duncan Sloan on the The Cutty Sark (PA)

And, Dr Holly Lewis, the mother of four-year-old Sebastian, who was born at just 26 weeks, is running to raise funds for research into pre-term births.

Hundreds of police will be on duty to keep about 800,000 spectators and runners safe, barely a month after crowds were targeted in the Westminster terror attack.

Head Together: The trio are raising awareness for mental health (PA)
Head Together: The trio are raising awareness for mental health (PA)

Armed officers will also be sent to watch over the crowds but the Metropolitan Police said: "There is no specific intelligence that the marathon will be targeted."

Steel road barriers straddled the entrance to key roads along the route, including the final stretch on The Mall, amid heightened concern of a vehicle-based assault.

Huge support: Kate, William and Harry cheer on runners (PA)
Huge support: Kate, William and Harry cheer on runners (PA)

Organisers said a total of 40,382 people collected their race packs on Saturday, meaning the 37th event is poised to outstrip last year's record of 39,140 competitors.

Supportive couple: Kate and William cheer on runners (REUTERS/Luke MacGregor)
Supportive couple: Kate and William cheer on runners (REUTERS/Luke MacGregor)

Gary McKee,47, will be finishing his 100th marathon distance in 100 days.

With an election race in full flow, the annual challenge will also fittingly play host to a record number of MPs.

A total of 16 members - five from Labour, nine Conservatives, one independent and one from the SNP - will join the throngs of racers.

A host of famous faces will be spotted undertaking the arduous endeavour for good causes, including pop band Scouting for Girls, who are running for the Alzheimer's Society, and radio host Chris Evans, who is running for the third year in a row, raising cash for Children in Need.

EastEnders star Adam Woodyatt faces a more emotional challenge as he runs alongside his 19-year-old son Sam just months after the teenager was hit by a car.