Running Man

I am a runner now.

The best thing about being a runner is that you get to use lots of new words. For example, I haven't had a meal or a drink of water for days now. I have, however, carbo-loaded and taken on fluids.

It also way better than cricket. You don't get all dressed up for nothing. No body comes up to you, 2 minutes into the race, and says, "Sorry, you're out, you have to sit out and watch for the rest of the day." And you can't drop a catch. And you don't have to explain what running is. And you're done by 10am, and you can go with your famly (who, unlike in cricket, are still talking to you) for brunch somewhere. They treat you like a hero because you ran for more than half an hour. It's lovely.

Furthermore, I get to wear shorts so skimpy they'd make a beach volleyballer blush.

Not to mention the value for money. For just $50 pesos you get a free hideous shirt, lots of new friends, all the Gatorade and water you can carry (3 bottles of each, if you hoard - this slows you down somewhat, and attracts odd looks from fellow competitors, but makes savvy financial sense), a free aerobics lesson (group warm up! 'Knees elbows, elbows knees') and approximately 2500 babysitters (at least, 2500 people who return your lost child back to you).

Bargain. Just do it, as we say.

Y21K

March 21st 2010.

Three brothers, three continents, one race.

Iain, 36, North Carolina, United States.

Advantages: Experience (meaning age), attention deficit disorder, outdoor job, new shoes, experience (he has a 1-0 lead in this fixture, having actually run a 21k to date).

Disadvantages: 3 children, large unaerodynamic hair, most body mass.

North Carolina: Quiet, cool, only 11 people to run around.

Training: Iain likes to train by running between his many houses whilst overseeing his empire.

Dougal, 33 (just), Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Advantages: Youth, skinny legs, most aerodynamic body hair, reserves of untapped anger.

Disadvantages: Age, 1 and 3/4 children, quite old shoes, indoor job.

Buenos Aires: 35 degree heat limits training runs to 3 mins. Giant holes in paving can lead to injury. 13 million people to run around.

Training: Dougal is dedicated, disciplined and diligent (to highlighting and annotating) his training program.

Chris, 17, London, England.

Advantages: Youth, ah youth; least body mass, Adidas endorsement, coached by highly rated Miles MacLagan.

Disadvantages: Unaerodynamic beard, floppy feet, training interrupted by injury and answering Are You Andy Murray? type questions.

London: Cold, icey. 18 millions people to run around.

Training: Chris can train on the job working as a runner. Often forced to run to work due to inclement weather based tube/bus cancellations.

Bring it on!