YORK Tory hopeful Clive Booth has laid down a challenge to his Labour rival Hugh Bayley. Race yer!

Inspired by the sight of 5,500 women running the Race For Life on Knavesmire, Mr Booth wondered: "When do the men and the boys get to run? I don't presume to think we'd present such an attractive photo opportunity, but Something Must Be Done surely?"

There are plenty of good causes that could benefit from a male fun run, says the Conservative parliamentary candidate for York. "I was staggered to learn that two per cent of breast cancer victims are... men.

"Of course discussion of testicular and prostate cancers are now less taboo, and nonetheless worthy causes to fund raise for."

That was when he laid down his gauntlet, with a resounding thwack.

"I'd be happy for the Diary to announce that I challenge all York's politicians to put their best foot forward and volunteer for a fundraising run," he said.

"The National Association for Crohns and Colitis will be my beneficiary and I'll also double any donation York's MP makes to a charity of his choosing if he runs too."

We think it would be marvellous to see Clive, Hugh, and, representing the Liberal Democrats, Steve Galloway, hotfooting it around the Minster as the bells chimed midday, in a Northern recreation of Chariots Of Fire. Hugh and Steve, it's over to you.

BEING a full time public relations consultant and a parliamentary candidate keeps Mr Booth busy enough.

"This fact was brought home to me by my ten-year-old daughter this weekend who rather sarcastically, I thought, booked an appointment to see me between 10.30am and 11.30am on Sunday," he tells the Diary.

He was due to attend a Quaker meeting at that time, but took his family to see Shrek 2 instead. "Verdict: not as funny or clever as the first one,

and we all wished we'd gone to Thunderbirds."

FIRST, thieves stole part of one of the exhibits. Now another of the modern sculptures on display at Museum Gardens is being treated with disrespect, the Diary learns.

The figure of Greek god Atlas, by Dame Elisabeth Frink, is considered rather well-endowed by mortal standards, according to those who feel able to judge.

To put it in the words of one young woman, overheard in the park by Diary spy Mary of Acomb: "He's got a big dong."

Now children have taken to swinging on it. "I'll give his dong three weeks," adds Mary.

WITHOUT further ado, on to episode two of the Diary's gripping new serial, Captain Calamity. The SS York has struck an iceberg but Cap'n Galloway orders the ship forward...

"RUSHING into the dining lounge, navigator Peter 'Gridlock' Evely blurts out his message. 'Cap'n, it's getting very congested out there.'

"Cap'n Galloway retorts: 'Nonsense, full steam ahead.'

"Ship's Purser Quentin Macdonald rushes in. 'Cap'n the third class passengers are getting restless.'

"Cap'n Galloway bellows: 'Lock the stairwells, break out the firearms and charge 'em extra for complaining.'

"Crunch - the ship hits the huge job losses iceberg which tears a gaping hole in the hull. Turning to the first class passengers, Cap'n Galloway says calmly: 'Time for a stroll to the lifeboats...'"

THE final gripping instalment is published tomorrow. Order your copy to avoid disappointment.

SPOTTED on The Times online's Guide To Britain 2004: "July. York's second Eboracum Roman Festival, on July 24-25, features a re-enactment of Constantine the Great's 306AD crowning as Iperor."

Write to: The Diary, Chris Titley, The Evening Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN

Email diary@ycp.co.uk

Telephone (01904) 653051 ext 337

Updated: 09:43 Tuesday, July 20, 2004