Keep on running

The London Marathon is a fantastic event. It's about the only thing we can organise properly in this country (even taking into account troublesome Tamil protesters), and hearkens back to a bygone era in London where communities came together in some good honest family fun. And whilst the coverage on BBC is one of the most boring things on earth, the live experience is something else altogether.
The whole day is always conducted in such a wonderfully good-natured attitude that it almost leaves you with a Hovis warmth in your heart. Millions of people of all ages pour out onto the streets to cheer on people dressed as rhinos, carrots, leprechauns, Mr Stay Puff and the Beatles. Countless charities and good causes sit back and watch their coffers fill up and just about everyone has a great time (except for the poor 35,000 buggers who had to run in pretty unpleasantly hot conditions yesterday).
When I did it back in 2000 it was the support of all these Londoners, as well as the Status Quo tunes being pumped out of pub stereos and the Sally Army bands dotted around the course, that really kept me going. To help you forget the pains and aches that are running through every bone from your ankle to your hip. To keep you smiling whilst everything is hurting. To help you remember that sport can be fun too, and isn't just about inflated salaries, egos and having a nike swoosh tattooed on your arm. So well done London once again. Let's just hope that we can carry this spirit through to the Olympics…