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GO THE EXTRA MILE
Sport Relief Saturday:
10 July 2004
BBC One from 1900 BST
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Prince
William has helped the BBC's Sport Relief raise more than £11m through a
mile run.
The surprise entrant joined 10,000 people along London's Embankment.
The appeal was organised by Comic Relief and BBC Sport to raise money
for children in poverty in the UK and abroad and help disadvantaged
people.
Across the UK 81,000 people took part in 144 official races to help
achieve a record £11,078,359. The BBC transmitted five hours of programmes
for the event.
Hosts included Gary Lineker, Gaby Logan, Jamie Theakston and Tess
Daley.
There was an interview with England football captain David Beckham by
The Fast Show's legendary Ron Manager, played by comedian Paul Whitehouse.
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 I've been training for about two
minutes...I've had a good run round the block
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Other highlights included Superstars: Battle of the Channels, a boxing
match between EastEnder Sid Owen and Castaway's Ben Fogle and a meeting of
the sports quiz shows They Think It's All Over and A Question Of Sport.
Sport Relief's 'Go the extra Mile' campaign slogan was dreamed up in
recognition of the 50th anniversary of Roger Bannister running the first
sub-four minute mile.
'It's brilliant'
Before Prince William started his run at London's Embankment he
jokingly said he was in great condition.
"I've been training for about two minutes. I've had a good run round
the block," he said.
Comedian Patrick Kielty and Prince William running
for Sport Relief |
The prince's appearance was kept secret until just before the race in
London started.
"I've run a few miles in my time, not very well. I'm better at being
stuck in the swimming pool. It's brilliant, it's an awesome sight what's
going on all over the country," the prince said.
Prince William, 22, was expected to run with his brother Prince Harry,
19, but he had to pull out because of an injury.
Lord Coe, the former UK Olympic medal winner and Chair of London's 2012
Olympic Bid, put the runners under starters orders.
The prince, who was also joined by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and
comics Patrick Kielty and Nick Hancock, took six minutes and ten seconds
to finish the race.
At the end he said he thought his brother would have finished the race
a lot quicker than him.
Martyn Smith, senior producer of the Sport Relief campaign at the
London Mile, said: "It was fantastic to see Prince William leading off
10,000 people at the Embankment.
"The Sport Relief Mile was the perfect event for all those people,
especially families, who have always wanted to enjoy the London Marathon
experience but aren't able to run that far."
