THE dozens of Channel Islanders running in Sunday’s Virgin London Marathon will be engulfed by the masses on the start line.

But there is a good chance, perhaps every chance, that you will see one Guernseyman on BBC’s live television coverage.

Lee Merrien (pictured) is not running this for charity, he is running against the clock, for the prestige, the challenge of mixing it with the world’s best marathon men and the prize and distinction of finishing top Briton and a place at the European Championships this summer.

He also has 2012 London Olympic ambitions in the running race of all running races.

Barring disaster, and let’s face it there are always potential ones when taking on such distances, the 30-year-old marathon debutant will emulate all the biggest bands and acts of popular music’s past and go straight in at No. 1 when local athletics statistician Ray Hollis publishes his 2010 athletics review.

• Read the full story in the Guernsey Press. See below for subscription details.