PRINCE PHILIP AT 24TH BELGRADE MARATHON
RUNNING FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Belgrade, 28 March 2011 – HRH Prince Philip will be participating 24th Belgrade Marathon on Sunday, 17 to raise funds and sponsors for HRH Crown Princess Katherine Foundation to help children with special needs in Serbia.

Initiating that Belgrade Marathon should become one of most important charitable events, like London Marathon; HRH Prince Philip addressed a letter to a potential donors and sponsors emphasizing: “On Sunday, 17 April 2011 I will run the Belgrade Half Marathon and would greatly appreciate your support. By becoming my sponsor you will help the work of the Foundation, which has been actively involved in helping all those in need, regardless of race or ethnicity for the past ten years. All collected funds will go towards helping children with special needs, which is something that I hold very close to my heart.

The Belgrade Half Marathon is very important to me as it is being held in Belgrade, a city which both my family and I feel very connected to and also because all the collected funds will go toward humanitarian goals. The marathon is traditionally being held for the twenty-fourth time in a row irrespective of the economic difficulties that Serbia is facing. It is one the largest sporting events in the country which generates great support from world organisations and athletes”.

The Belgrade Marathon will be held on Sunday, 17th April 2011, for the 24th time. The Belgrade Marathon is Serbia's biggest sports events that attracts the largest attendance, and as such has been declared an event of special importance for the Belgrade city by the Belgrade City Council.

The Belgrade Marathon comprises the 5km Fun Run, half marathon and marathon. It is considered to be the major sports and promotional event that is traditionally held in the country. Together, the Children's Marathon and the Belgrade Marathon draw significant attention from the national media every spring.