For aficionados, were we talking about the Velvet Underground, the Beach Boys or more like “Run for Your Life” by the Beatles? Well yes, we were talking about the London marathon on 13 April. After conning colleagues that he was serious about participating, Jeremy Smith pulled the proverbial “get out of jail free” card with a mysteriously unsigned doctor’s note. This left the suckers, Francesca Birch and Michael Mainelli, stuck with the entire four month training regime building up to a miserable 26.2 miles. Strangely, both managed to straggle/struggle through to the end.Some never learn – it was Fran’s second time. While both beat the 5 ½ hour mark, Fran revels in beating Michael – although he stresses the margin was less than ten minutes yet almost 20 years. Fran and Michael’s pains benefit Leukemia in Children and The Children’s Society respectively for over £3,000. At least we know Jeremy has two supporters (sic – tormentors) for next year.