2010 marathon trainers looking a bit knackered already
The course remains the same, so the best places to view will be around Bermondsey (but away from the Tube station); around the Isle of Dogs (again away from Canary Wharf Tube) or if you don't mind some crowdage then around Limehouse is good as you can catch 2 laps of the course. The masses start from Greenwich at 9.45am.
So what's different? Branding-wise, Flora's 'Lib Dem' yellow will be gone and replaced by Virgin's 'Hooker' red. We're also promised that a bouncy Richard Branson is running - we want El Bearded One to run the full distance, though, not just a few feet for the paps. Anyway, they'll need him if the volcanic ash keeps many of the top runners away.
So what don't you know about the marathon? Here are a few random facts, they may help at a pub quiz one day or perhaps if you want to impress your friends. See you on the course!
Oldest Runner (er, god-willing) - Jerzy Kolodziej, aged 86. 173 people running have their birthdays on race day.
Most Common Occupation - teacher/education (over 2,000). They'll share the course with 79 pilots; 114 librarians; 79 clergy; 48 economists; 72 film-makers; 429 fire-fighters; 54 politicians; 667 scientists and 1086 housewives.
Stuff needed - 1,250 portaloos; 6,000 volunteers; and 250lbs of vaseline for St John Ambulance to dole out
Pubs - On the course there are 81 public houses (woop!)
2010 Celebrity contests expected (in our mind) - Natalie Imbruglia vs Princess Beatrice; Lorraine Kelly vs Ben Shephard; Lee from Steps vs Lee Evans; ITN's Tim Ewart vs Steve Rider; Michele Heaton vs Kat Slater from 'Stenders; Dennis Wise against Dom (half of Dick and Dom); Gordon Ramsay against himself; and the Red Arrows (who will start in formation - no, really).
Image and the 2010-marathon-running trainers portrayed within it are the author's own
