Thanks Arthur for the offer! I would have ran the 'Great' North Run for you in return to try and get you a PB. I assume it was the same football rivalries survey that Cliff posted that Sunderland v Newcastle was quite a way down. The rivalry between the two is 250 years older than any football team, and goes back to when Newcastle was granted a charter to export coal from the North East, so coal from Sunderland had to be taken to Newcastle for export. This changed during the English Civil War, when Newcastle and Sunderland fought on the different sides (Newcastle supporting the Monarchy) and Sunderland was allowed to export coal from the Wear and prospered as a result. Rivalry between teams in two different towns must be slightly different to rivalry between two clubs in the same town. Complaints about one town getting more funding/favouritsm etc. which helps breed dislike won't occur if both teams are in the same city. Anybody doing Sport Relief?

Not doing Sport Relief George but Arthur knows a lady who does hand relief I believe.

Arggghhh! Can't believe I typed that!!!

George, thanks for the offer but what's the point of getting someone else to run for you? I'm entered for the Great Nth Run this year and I'm up to about 3 miles. I'd love to be doing 10 minute miles all the way around but I think the important thing is to jog the whole way around and after that look at my times. What I love about the race is that it's 100% positive and brings out the best in people.