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ITN
Cool running for marathon
Cool running for marathon
Runners are set to enjoy perfect weather conditions at this year's Flora London Marathon.Forecasters say the temperature will be around 10C, much cooler than last year, when highs of 21C made it the hottest race ever.About 35,000 runners are expected to complete the 26-mile, 385-yard course from Greenwich and Blackheath in southeast London to Buckingham Palace via Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf.Organisers say it is the largest single fundraising event in the world.Celebrity participants include chef Gordon Ramsay and Liberal Democrat London Mayor hopeful Brian Paddick, while ex-Olympic rower James Cracknell and TV presenter Ben Fogle are using the race as a training run for a 400-mile race to the South Pole in November.Rebecca and Mike Tomlinson, the daughter and husband of multiple marathon runner Jane Tomlinson, are running together.Jane died in September after a seven-year battle with cancer during which she raised millions for charity.Blind athlete Dave Heeley, 50, will become the third runner to complete the Seven Magnificent Marathons challenge when he crosses the finishing line, having already run six marathons in six different continents.Also hoping to break a record is Buster Martin, who is set to become the oldest competitive marathon runner.The 101-year-old van cleaner is already Britain's oldest working man.Six Maasai warriors from Tanzania are running the marathon in traditional dress to raise money for a well in their village.And marathon veteran Lloyd Scott, 46, from Rainham, Essex, will run inside a nine-feet tall robot costume.
ITN | April 13, 2008
