Marathon contenders line up

THE PRIDE of the pub trade will be on the line in April when the chefs take on the brewers in this year's Flora London Marathon.

The Chefs on the Run team assembled by Flora, and led by Michelin- starred chef Michel Roux Jr, met up with friendly rivals the Fuller's London Pride team at a special launch event held at the Mint, near Tower Bridge, a landmark pub on the marathon route.

Also on the chefs' team are Robert Clayton, executive chef of pub group Merchant Inns, and Anton Edelman, Hospitality Action's ambassador.

The Fuller's team includes Alan Cresswell, licensee of the Little Windsor in Sutton, Surrey, and John Walker and Lisa Rafferty, licensees at the Queen' Head in Chesham, Bucks.

The challenge has been set to see which of the teams will cross the finishing line in the fastest time. Individual times will be collated to come up with a team average.

For more information on the Flora Chefs on the Run team, the charities they are running for and Flora products, visit www.unileverfood-solutions.co.uk

For further information on the London Pride team and Fuller's, visit www.fullers.co.uk

Nick Yates, features writer on The Publican, is running with the Fuller's team in the London Marathon. For the first of his regular training blogs, click on the related stories link.