Tonight:
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BBC man's marathon to save young lives
Shekhar Bhatia, Evening Standard11 Apr 2008
Every step that BBC football commentator Jonathan Pearce takes in Sunday's Flora London Marathon promises to be painful and poignant.
The Match Of The Day broadcaster is running to raise money in memory of his eight-month-old niece Lily, who died a year ago from a rare metabolic illness.
He will run alongside Lily's father David for a charity set up in the child's name to help other babies and toddlers suffering from mitochondrial disease.
Pearce, who lives in Brighton, said: "It is a metabolic disorder that affects the tiny powerhouse elements of each cell within the body - the organelles which convert the nutrients we put into our bodies with food and drink into the energy the cell needs. "If the mitochondria-fail, organs fail and you die. One in every 1,000 babies born will have a metabolic disorder of some sort.
"It was terrible to see our beautiful little Lily taken and to witness the suffering of Liz and Dave, her parents. But in her short life, Lily taught us so much about ourselves. She had an old soul in a baby's body and used to give such knowing looks. She inspired all of us.
"We hope to find a reason for mitochondrial disease and a cure, working closely with Guy's and St Thomas'."
Pearce, who will be one of an estimated 46,000 runners hoping to complete the 26.2- mile course from Greenwich to Westminster, began training in September for what will be his first marathon.
"I've hated it," he said. "I have very bad knees from football days and, as well as twice-weekly visits to the gym, have been with the physio most weeks.
"I have cut a burly, grumpy figure trudging the roads of West Sussex but I've gradually built up to 20 miles and I'm confident I can get round in about five and a half hours.
"As long as I finish I'll be raising valuable money for Lily. I'll be running with Lily's dad and two others who have kindly joined us.
"Dave has run the race before and tells me the atmosphere is great. I worked on the marathon for 15 years at Capital [Radio] but from the studio - I never experienced the real feel of the day. It will be a unique experience."
Other famous names taking part include Pearce's BBC colleague Adrian Chiles. Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden is running on behalf of animal rights group Born Free, while other actors include former EastEnders Phil Daniels and John Altman, The Bank Job star Jason Flemyng and TV presenter Floella Benjamin.
Former West Ham players Paul Brush, Mark Chapman and Steve Potts are also taking part, as are chefs Gordon Ramsay, Anton Edelman and Michel Roux, pop singer Ronan Keating and Olympic rowing champion James Cracknell.
