Flack

Next month he will run through the republic, one of the most dangerous places on earth. To drum up publicity, he will run a treadmill marathon in the Asics store near Oxford Street this week. Take note, Paula Radcliffe.

2. Hacks are still recovering from a hammering at the annual Hacks v Flacks summer sports day last Sunday. The flack cricket team powered to a seven-wicket win thanks to 50s from Smithfield's Stewart Harris and Hudson Sandler's Charlie Jack.

3. 3 Monkeys' Mandy Johnson swam the English Channel in the early hours of Friday morning last week as part of a relay team of seven. They completed the challenge in 23 hours and 19 minutes to raise money for Malaria No More and the Hope Foundation. 'I'm proud, but I wouldn't say I enjoyed it,' she said in one of the year's great understatements.