Competitors run along the Embankment during the 31st Virgin London Marathon

Exhausted and exultant winners of the London Marathon will be presented with trophies by ‘party’ Prince Harry, on Sunday.

Joint race director David Bedford said: “We are delighted to have Prince Harry with us to present awards to our runners this year.

“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.”

A total of 36,000 runners have registered for this year’s marathon.

A St James’s Palace spokesman said Harry - who has accepted a three-year patronage of the London Marathon Charitable Trust - will meet volunteers involved in the administration of the marathon and members of St John Ambulance on Sunday.

The prince, 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.

The event involves young runners aged 11 to 17 from across the country in races over the final three miles of the course.