I want you to hear it first: I am hereby announcing my candidacy as a runner in the 2008 ING New York Marathon—a race considerably less grueling and full of hot air than the political marathon that will come to an exhausted end only two days after the race I'm entering (Sunday, November 2nd). But, since I'm not a citizen and therefore ineligible to run in the presidential race, I've chosen to exercise my prerogative on this one.

Now, some of you will remember that I ran last year's NYC marathon, moseying along at a respectable nine minutes a mile, and, much more importantly, stretching my legs to raise some money to pay for a leg for little Albie, the goat who currently resides at the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary (WFAS). Well, this year, not only am I planning to beat my time, but I'm raising money to help complete WFAS's Animal Rehab Center. They're so nearly there, just a bit more cash will take them over the line. There's a matching donor ready to give $1,000 if we can get $1,000 more. You can donate by clicking here.

Because you're such generous souls, I know that donating to WFAS on my behalf is just not enough, which is why I'm running on behalf of two other charities. For those of you in the UK, I'm raising money for my mother's local church, which has been supporting a school in Juba, southern Sudan. So far, we've raised nearly $500 (250 pounds). For more details, click here. Also, please dish up the dough for the Small Planet Fund, which supports great environmental and human rights organizations such as The Green Belt Movement and the Landless Workers Movement. You can donate directly by clicking here.

In a few days time, I'll let you know more details about my run. In the meantime, I hope you'll take some time out to visit these websites and make a little donation. See you at the finish line!

[NOTE: You can see the video of the run below]