Running for Charity

[Karl-G]

The London Marathon was run today, in pouring rain and with 36,000 runners. There would have been more, but many people were unable to get to England because of the no-fly days. Apparently many of the participants run to raise money for charities. Although it is 26.2 miles long, it seems to be different than your usual race. Most participants dress in costumes. Princess Beatrice, along with 33 friends, were dressed in black tights and lime green tutus. They were all tied together with bungee cords and were raising money for one of her mother's charities, Children in Crisis. They collected over one million pounds, which is substantial. They interviewed her and she explained how difficult it was to run with so many people and how to stop when someone needed to go the bathroom, etc. You could tell the concentration and effort this must have taken. Their group got the award for most people tied together with bungee cords and wearing lime green tutus. There were both females and males in the group, including Bea's American boyfriend Dave Clark. They called themselves "The Caterpillar," and they may get another prize as the largest caterpillar ever to finish. They made it in 5 hrs. and 15 minutes. The group was led by Sam and Holly Branson, whose father Sir Richard, was the sponsor of the event this year. Mr. Branson owns Virgin Atlantic Airlines, Virgin Records, and many other virgins. Sam and Holly are close intimates of the young royals and they party and vacation together. The Bransons usually pick up the tab and provide the private jets.

 

Many celebrities participated. Sir Richard Branson ran with giant butterfly wings. There were categories for cartoon characters, movie characters, historical figures, animals, etc. They weren't sure if Madonna and Guy Ritchie were there or not. Harry Potter apparently was. Many records were set today; they give lots of prizes The Fastest Leprechaun broke the record. The Large Pumpkin also set a new record. Famous English chef Gordon Ramsay ran with his wife, but didn't make it to the end. (The Daily Mail On-Line has the best selection of pictures.)

 

Fergie and Andy were there to watch the whole thing with their daughter and were enormously proud. It was the first time that a member of the royal family had ever run in the London Marathon dressed as a caterpillar. The queen was said to be very excited and proud. Spectators are also expected to dress in support of their teams, but there was no picture of Fergie and Andy, so I am not sure if they wore lime green tutus or not. (This is all from the London Telegraph.)

 

Beatrice, of course, has begun her business career in London. She is a personal shopper at Selfridge's Department Store. It is the First Time That a Member of the Royal Family has ever worked, much less at Selfridge's. Marks and Spencer, Harrod's et al are green with envy. Grandma gave her the use of a 26 room house nearby so she won't have a long commute and get tired. As she personal-shops, she is accompanied by only four bodyguards and two senior staff of Selfridge's so that she gets a real feel for working. She works three days a week for three hours each day, as most English shop assistants do.

 

Meanwile, the possible new Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, is receiving more and more attention. His mother is Dutch, and he speaks fluent Dutch, German, Spanish, French, and English, which he does so well that he has been winning all of the televised debates in England against Gordon Brown and David Cameron. He would be the first Prime Minister ever in England to speak another language besides English. (And you wondered why they had problems?) The British press is having a delightful time. His wife is Spanish, and they have given all their children Spanish names: Antonio, Alberto, and Miguel. They are being raised in a bilingual household. Mrs. Clegg, Miriam, is a lawyer with one of the top firms in London and earns "in the upper six figures," according to the paper. Miriam is the breadwinner for the family. She also buys her underwear at the same shop as Queen Elizabeth, and the Daily Mail of course has a picture of her coming out of the store. Nick seems to enjoy giving interviews, and in speaking with GQ recently, he stated that he had "had sex with no more than 30 women" during his lifetime. The Tories were outraged and said he was unqualified to be P.M.! (They thought the number was much too low for a really good politician.) Dutch and Spanish newspapers have been giving him a lot of coverage because their readers find him interesting. There are even reports on the web that Nick may be gay; he is so good looking, dresses so well, is so articulate and cultured, that it is difficult to believe that he is a mere English breeder.

 

Meanwhile the affidavits have been prepared to arrest the pope for crimes again humanity when he comes on a visit soon. Security will be fairly high. At the marathon race, a white-clad mitered runner won "Fastest Pope" in record time.

 

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[+ Gar1eth]

The London Marathon was run today, in pouring rain and with 36,000 runners. There would have been more, but many people were unable to get to England because of the no-fly ...

 

Meanwhile the affidavits have been prepared to arrest the pope for crimes again humanity when he comes on a visit soon. Security will be fairly high. At the marathon race, a white-clad mitered runner won "Fastest Pope" in record time.

 

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And in the words of the Famous Arnold Cronkite, " And that's the way it was on April 25th 2010".

 

I really liked the OP. It set me in mind of a news report hence my remark.

 

Gman

[MsGuy]

"He would be the first Prime Minister ever in England to speak another language besides English."

 

Pretty sure Churchill spoke French (as well as schoolboy Latin).

 

Delightful post, Karl-G!

[JackTwist]

Karl-G, I enjoyed your report, too. Here's a few pics from the London Marathon to accompany your Pulitzer-worthy editorial...

 

 

http://www.uli-sauer.de/laufen/london/london2006/2006_queen_bbc.jpg

 

http://www.pastymuncher.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/heart-costume-runner-london-marathon.jpg

 

http://www.400mtogo.com/blogImages/londonMarathon.jpg

 

http://www.pastymuncher.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/carrot.jpg