The Gardeners' World Blog

At half past midnight, just after this Saturday night becomes Sunday morning, Paula Radcliffe will set off in the Olympic Women's Marathon.

Two hours earlier, Match of the Day will embark on a marathon of its own, one which will arrive at the finish line in late May 2009.

We're in no way claiming that preparations for our marathon have been anything like as arduous or lonely as Paula's, but it will be a relief when we hear the starter's gun and the actual action gets underway.