10 April 2007: Space Marathon

One of the International Space Station's astronauts plans to run the Boston Marathon, despite still being up in space.

Suni Williams plans to run the 26 miles on the Space station's treadmill, which astronauts use to ward off the muscle loss that results from living in the station's low-gravity environment.

While she won't face hills or jostling competitors, she will face challenges unlike those confronting her earthbound rivals.

Because of the low gravity she will have to be strapped to the treadmill with a harness to prevent her floating away.

And apparently sweating is a problem too. "One of the interesting things about sweating or working out up here is that the stuff doesn't evaporate off you or drop off you," she said.
"The water just sort of stays on you until it makes a big enough glop, and then it kind of floats away."