Track and field
IF it takes a winner to know one, then Matt Dawson would have spotted one as soon as he met Jane Tomlinson. England's rugby union legend, who has agreed take part in the 10k run founded by the heroic cancer campaigner, is a fine example of how a top sports star can continue to find meaningful challenges after they have hung up their boots. In these difficult economic times, children's charity Sparks will be particularly glad of every penny Dawson raises.
Thousands more runners will follow his example. Their names might not be as heralded as that of Dawson, a World Cup winner in 2003, but they are all heroes as they toil through the streets of Leeds to raise money for a host of good causes.
Dawson described Jane, from the city, as having an "aura" about her and he was right. That's why the race has been such a success since it was set up five years ago, raising more than 3m for children's and cancer charities. The former player knows that the event, supported by the Yorkshire Post, is the perfect way to honour a Yorkshire heroine.