Boston and London Marathons

490 BC. Ancient Greece. A messenger with a funny name and patriotism surging through his veins spots a Persian ship alter its course towards Athens. He is in Marathon, 26 miles and 385-ish yards away from his nations capital, but decides to do the unthinkable. He sheds his armour, his sword, and (being Ancient Greek) the rest of his clothes too. He runs, he makes it, he passes on a message of victory, and then he promptly expires on the spot.

2385 years later, a French academic looking to link Ancient and Modern Olympics creates the modern marathon, a battle of stamina and will against one's own limitations and common sense. And today, people dressed as rhinos, fridges and deep sea divers repeat the ancient feat for fun, and generally without it being terminal too.

The marathons of Boston and London present different histories, challenges and cultures, but both are undoubtedly incredible sporting events full of stories and people worth talking about. The former has some weird and wonderful tales of female participation against the usual strange male sensitivities. The latter, a charitable culture that has so far raised well over a billion pounds for others, as well as participants with astonishing tales of their own.

Both bring people together, no matter what others may do to divide them. This is where sport and wholesome, generous community spirit join hands, and all participants are heroes - from record breakers to ordinary people attempting to do the extraordinary alike.