This year's crazy stunt

[El Gordo]

Hi Rick

Great to hear from you again. I'm conscious that Chicago is coming up as a few messages have appeared on the UK Runners World site about it recently. People are always asking there if Chicago is "worth doing". Yes, I always reply, Chicago is worth doing.

In a way I'm glad that you're not doing Dublin because if you had been, I'd be very annoyed with myself for pulling out of it. Announcing my intention to run Dublin has become an annual event. Sheepishly announcing, a few months later, that I won't be doing it after all, is also an annual event.

Next year, no doubt, I'll once again resolve to run it. If you're up for it, let me know well in advance so that I can work harder on not flunking the training yet again. It would be great to meet up again, over a pint or two of post-race Guinness. Dublin is one of the world's great cities. The marathon has a lot of American runners in it, I'm told.

I've not visited Hal's forum for ages. I will call in again soon and reacquaint myself with some of the characters there.

We made a flying visit to Detroit when we were doing our whistle-stop tour of Michigan and Ohio in teh week after the marathon in 2002. We visited the Tamla Motown museum and were given a personal tour by Berry Gordie's nephew, which was fantastic. Interesting city. Not since Calcutta have I seen such extremes of wealth and poverty side by side.

Very best of luck with the marathons, Rick. Do let us know how you get on.

Cheers

Andy