Loneliness of the long distance writers

Journalists run marathon for charity

Blood, sweat and tears are not usually the first things that come to mind when you ask someone what they associate with a journalist. Pubs, cigarettes and late nights are the more common connection.

However, on the news desk at vnunet.com's sister publication Computer Reseller News (CRN) it is an altogether different story.

For the past five months the topic of conversation has switched from the usual football, soap operas and mobile phone ring tune trivia, to Vaseline, blisters and Lucozade.

Why? Because three intrepid CRN reporters have decided to run the Flora London Marathon. What possessed them? No one really knows, but suddenly their ordeal is only six days off. Of course, it's all for 'charidee'.

"It's been a mad experience," said Sara Yirrell, senior reporter at CRN. "It definitely beats sitting around waiting for Silverlink trains in the evenings."

Kate Marshall, features editor at CRN, said: "A marathon is just one of those things that is good to achieve, and I'd rather do it while my knees are still real, not made of metal and plastic."

Yirrell, and news and analysis editor Sara Driscoll, will be running the gruelling 26.2 miles around London in aid of MacMillan Cancer Relief. Marshall will be running for Oxfam.

"I don't particularly like running, but I like finishing," admitted Driscoll, who will be running the course dressed as Wonder Woman.

If you or your company would like to sponsor the girls, please email the address below.

CRN would like to thank the following companies and individuals that have pledged money: Network Appliance, Quantum, Computer Associates' channel team, Symantec, Xerox, EquIP, Hammer, Medialink, August One and Upgrade Options.

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