Neil and Kieran are running the Athens Classic Marathon on 13th November.

 

Like a Marks and Spencer food advert, this isn't just a marathon. This is the marathon: the original one, in which Pheidippides ran from Marathon to Athens in order to announce the Greek victory over Persia. He promptly collapsed and died. Which is a little ominous.

 

This very course also saw off Paula Radcliffe during the Athens Olympics in 2004, as she wimped out with some feeble excuse after 22 miles. Which is a little ominous.

 

To be fair to her (and Neil, who breaks out into cold sweats every time he thinks of this), the course itself is one of the toughest in Europe, with a full, continuous 13 miles of uphill climbing. Yikes.

 

Anyways, it's too late to pull out now, and both of us have surprised ourselves by our dedication to training. In so far as that we've both actually done some.

 

But, given that historical precidences suggest that at least one of us are likely not to return, it's the very least that you can do to sponsor us.

 

Our chosen charity is Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, in memory of Neil's mam, who died ten years ago of a lymphoma-related illness. Suffice to say, Neil's mother would have been appalled at the idea of him taking on such a recklessly foolish endeavour.

 

Incidently, everything that is donated goes to charity. We've stumped up for flights, hotels, race fee, and everything else. So this isn't one of those dodgy affairs where you effectively sponsor someone to go on holiday.

 

And while we're on the subject of money, if we're successful in finishing this, we fully intend to bailout the Greek economy through the medium of souvlaki and lager.

 

We have four hours to save the Euro. Wish us luck.