IT was the Greater Manchester Marathon yesterday — not that most of us would know it from the lack of coverage on television.

The race, as luck would have it, goes straight past the end of my road, so we took the opportunity to go out into the bright Spring sunshine and cheer non the runners.

Having once struggled through the London Marathon I know how hard those 26.2 miles can be.

As I barely jogged down the last half mile, four years ago, I heard the TV commentator on the big screen announce that a big name was finishing the race.

No, not me. It was Gordon Ramsay — and so being a big fan of the celebrity chef I slowed up allowing me to cross the line at the same time.

I approached him to quickly congratulate him on his run and was rewarded with a firm handshake and a 'well done big man'. What a guy.

I actually beat him as I checked our respective times later online and he had set off 20 minutes before me — but given he's a good 20 years my senior, I shouldn't really be boasting about it.

Anyway, anyone who takes on that run or any marathon — whether they are a seasoned club runner, or a first-timer taking on the feat for a charity — has every bit of my respect.

It is a shame the event doesn't get the same prominence as it's London counterpart in the national media.

We shouldn't be surprised — one, London is the capital, and two, it is the sort of north-south bias that we have come to expect and, in the main accept.

But it also got me thinking about the Bolton Marathon — a once popular annual event, which attracted runners from all over the country.

The race is now no more but I think someone needs to revive it.

It would be great if Bolton Council or a local business could think big and bring back the race.

We've shown with Ironman that we can host big sporting events — so why not put on a town marathon.

It would be a great event — and it would also be something of an inspiration to youngsters in the town.

The race could either follow the current Ironman marathon track — or we could dig out the old route to add a touch of tradition.

TELL US: What do you think? Email letters@theboltonnews.co.uk