The 30th annual Brussels 20-kilometre road race takes place today. The 25,000 available places were snapped up very quickly after registration opened. This year participants, including renowned international athletes, will have come specially to Belgium from 43 countries. Seventy-six nationalities will be represented. It's a gorgeous day. If you click here you'll see a map: http://www.20kmdebruxelles.be/20km/set_en.htm I live just where the guy is running on the bottom of the circle drinking from a can.

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Unfortunately I have to be elsewhere when it is happening (if Sweeney's in he'll get a superb view - by the way, his younger son is back), but I hope to get a few photos. I actually took part in it twice in the eighties and once in the nineties -

I think I came in around the 13,000 position the third time! I am not, and have never been, a runner, but all the same it was one of the most exhilerating experiences in my life - the first two times I was fairly young and fit: the third time I had to train a huge amount. Although I never did more that 10 kilometres in a training session (not sure what the experts' view would be on that) it was not difficult to double that on the day - I was just drawn along with the crowds. Now let me quickly go and move my car to a side street on the other side of the avenue as I need to use it later today. For more info (in English - well, sort of English!) see http://www.20kmdebruxelles.be/20km/set_en.htm