Six Maasai warriors from Northern Tanzania are planning to run in this Sunday's Flora London Marathon to raise money to bring water to their dry village. The tribesmen will run in their traditional dress, wearing sandals made from cut up tires.

Costumed charity runners are all part of the spectacle of the London Marathon, which also sees about 48,000 runners take on the grueling 26 mile race around London as half a million people look on. Popular UK track star Paula Radcliffe, three-time winner and world marathon record holder, had to pull out of this year's race because of a toe injury, but loads of other world class runners and champion athletes will be taking part.

The race sets off from three different points in Greenwich Park and Blackheath, southeast London, at 8:30a.m. GMT on Sunday. Spectators can pick their spots along the route. Click here for the Flora London Marathon 2008 Interactive Map. If you are in the United States, you can watch the London Marathon live on the internet on Sunday from 3:30a.m. EST.

Read more about the London Marathon at About.com: London Travel.

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