THE London Marathon is extraordinary. We are condemned as a nation of obese coach potatoes, yet on Sunday 10,000 people will run 26 miles.
We are dismissed as the self-obsessed society, yet almost all those competitors, including York Professor Sally Baldwin's daughter Julia, will be raising money as a tribute to a loved one or friend.
The only sour note comes from Gordon Brown. Despite protests, he is set to skim £3 million of donations for the Treasury.
The Chancellor had better keep away from London this weekend. Otherwise he may find himself pursued by thousands of fit and furious fun runners.
Updated: 11:01 Friday, April 16, 2004
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