OK, so in six days time I will be following in the footsteps of Pheidippides. Phei who I hear you ask? Pheidippides of course, the fabled Greek messenger who ran to Athens from the Battle of Marathon to announce that the Persians had been defeated two nil. Apparently there is some historical doubt about all this and also whether the Persians should have had a penalty. But what's not in doubt is the basis of his legend, which is that he ran approximately 26 miles non stop, without energy gels or decent trainers. And that he didn't even have one of those odd silver blankets and a warm sandwich to look forward to at the end.

But in six days time I hope to complete a similar distance, 26.3 miles to be precise, following a circuitous course that begins in Greenwich, takes in a fair few of London's landmarks and finishes a couple of hundred yards from the Queen's house.  

If you've read this far you're probably wondering when I am going to ask for sponsorship. Well, to be honest, I toyed with the idea of not running for charity this year. When I ran last year and back in 04 and 05 I ran for charity; and your marvellous support raised hundreds of pounds for The Willow Foundation and Cancer Research. But this year I thought, heck, the economy's not great. People have got other things to spend money on. I don't think I know anyone who hasn't had a baby, got married, moved house or bought a bluray player in 2010. Sometimes even a combination of these expenses. People are low on funds.

Then I thought , blimey, don't be so selfish. If you can raise a couple of hundred quid for sport relief that would be fantastic. So here I am. Probably two weeks too late. Appealing for your charity and to your better nature my friends. If any of you saw some of the films as part of the sport relief night this year you will know they carry out some absolutely outstanding work. So 50p, £2 or £3. Whatever you can afford, every little helps.

Finally - some of you may be aware that in 05 I ran the marathon in a tuxedo and last year I ran as Bananaman. Some call it crazy. Some call it attention seeking. Well I put my hands up and admit last year I called it wrong. Running 26 miles in a stiflingly padded Bananaman costume on a hot day was not the best idea I've ever had. The chafing had to be seen to be believed. I pity whoever hired that costume the following week. But I'm not giving up. My final outfit this year will be based on a long range weather forecast a few days before. But if it looks like it's going to be warm then I'm thinking cave man. If it looks overcast there is talk of Wonder Woman or even Baywatch - and if it looks like rain then I need to get my thinking cap on.

But however much of a plonker I make of myself it would be really, really great if you'd send Sport Relief a couple of quid as a result. I know I'm not a celebrity climbing a mountain or cycling the length of the UK. And I'm far from ever being able to replicate the incredible achievements of Eddie Izzard who ran 43 marathons in 51 days last year. But I am a short slightly tubby bloke who's not really the right shape for long distance running. And I know that by 17 or 18 miles I am going to be suffering. Worse still, possibly chafing. So please help me raise some money for Sport Relief!

Cheers

Jonathan

PS Outfit for this year now chosen - Fred Flintstone. I may lose the wig halfway.

PPS

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