Speaking of marathons, in 1897 the first Boston Marathon was held and won by John McDermott of New York. Run every April on Patriot's Day, it is the oldest annual race of its kind.

Image source, Getty Images

Aashay Knights: How Launchbury, Laidlaw, Watson, and Russell didn't even make the squad is beyond me.

Jennifer McCalman: What a slap in the face for @Scotlandteam, external. The SRU should tell Gatland to stuff it. Number of Welsh players is a joke

Jono Wake: Not enough turnover experts in the back row for me, plenty of muscle, Watson and/or Haskell should be in for me at flanker

Away from the scrum of the Lions tour announcement for a moment and it is the London Marathon on Sunday.

Some of us will probably be watching whilst eating a bacon sandwich but tonight on BBC Radio 5 live at 21:00 BST there is Darren Campbell’s Get Inspired show where Darren will be hearing some inspirational stories ahead of this year’s race.

You can learn more about Ben Smith, who ran 401 marathons in 401 days to help him overcome severe depression. If you can’t listen tonight, you can download the podcast later this evening. here

Image source, Rex Features

More from Lions coach Warren Gatland, who believes Sam Warburton was the "natural choice" to lead the Lions in New Zealand.

"Sam is fully aware his form needs to be good enough to be selected," Gatland says of Warburton, one of 12 Welsh players in the squad.

"There is pressure on him for that but he is the right man for the job. It was a tough call, other players in the squad need to provide leadership. 

"He did a great job in 2013 so for us he is the natural choice."

Dave Fassam: I'm English, but only 2 Scots! 12 Welshmen (who finished 5th in the 6N), predictable Gatland. Disppointment beckons in NZ!

Rob Zabrocky: The Launchbury omission is a travesty, and one gatland will regret. One of the best players in the world

Sophie Knox: Well done @RoryBest2, external and Ian Henderson, shame not more Scots. But on the positive side - no Hartley!!

Image source, PA

More from Warren Gatland: "There are going to be some players fighting for the Test spots. There is no clear number one, two or three in some positions. That is what makes us excited about the quality of the squad.

"This will be the toughest tour. In previous tours the midweek games have been easier. If you look at the quality of the teams we are playing midweek it is going to be hugely challenging. 

"That is why we have picked a few extra players, to make sure we have got depth and quality."

Tom Fordyce
Chief sports writer

Image source, PA

Decision:

Joseph, Payne and Moriarty in

Verdict:

"Rumours were that Joseph was going to miss out, but his sweet angles and steps could prove critical in a Test series where the Lions will have to score multiple tries to win matches. Moriarty’s form for Wales and an expanded squad of 41 get him in; Payne represented New Zealand under-21s, and comes with both local knowledge and caps for Gatland’s old side Waikato."

Stats: Joseph has scored 80 points in 33 appearances for England.

Meanwhile in Monte Carlo, Andy Murray lost the first two games against Gilles Muller, who is serving 3-2 up.

They're not happy at Wasps over the omission of Joe Launchbury.

Image source, Getty Images

More from Sam Warburton and his supermarket surprise: "I found out last Thursday. I was in the supermarket car park. My wife was getting bread and milk. I hung up on Warren first time around, I thought it was the boys [team-mates] messing around."

Asked about his injury problems, Warburton said: "It's fine. It is something I have managed and have no doubt I will be 100% fit.

"I only saw the squad five minutes ago. If someone asked me to pick a squad I would have found it difficult but it is an immensely strong squad. Everyone is a top class player and as a captain that gives me a massive amount of confidence."

Rory Forrest: What a slap in the face for all the efforts and improvements made in Scottish rugby!

Asked when completed his squad selection, Lions coach Warren Gatland said: "Late yesterday afternoon. There were some pretty lively debates in terms of finalising the squad. We are very happy with the quality and we’re excited with the team put together.

"It was probably the hardest we have had [to pick]. We think it is the strongest squad. We are really excited with the talent and quality of the team we are taking to New Zealand."

Image source, PA

More from Lions captain Sam Warburton: "I only saw that squad five minutes ago. Every one of those guys is a top class player.

"It is hard to put it into words. Four years later 2013 (the series win against Australia) hasn’t really sunk in. 

"We had a dinner last night with the ex-captains of the Lions and it was only when I sat down to see the company I was in that I realised. 

"That was when it hit home how big a deal it is and this time against New Zealand is arguably the toughest tour.”

Tom Fordyce
Chief sports writer

Decision:

Hartley out/George in

Verdict:

"A decision that will be doubly galling to Hartley - missing out on a tour to the country of his birth, seeing a man picked who is his back-up for England. Even if in truth it was more of a battle for the third hooker’s spot between Hartley and Ken Owens."

Stats: All 17 of George’s caps for England have been as a replacement.

Decision:

Launchbury, Gray brothers out/Henderson in

Verdict:

"While Henderson’s display against England in the Six Nations may have sealed his place, Launchbury’s sterling efforts in the first four matches have not been enough. Richie and Jonny Gray, meanwhile, can take consolation in the fact that second row is the most competitive position in the squad."

Stats: Richie Gray has started 56 of his 65 appearances for Scotland, Jonny Gray 29 of his 33. Of Henderson’s 32 caps for Ireland, almost half have come off the bench.

Chris Jones
BBC Radio 5 live rugby reporter

Wales flanker Sam Warburton leads a 41-man British and Irish Lions squad, which features 12 Welshmen and only two Scots.

England captain Dylan Hartley has been left out, but 16 Englishmen are included including prop Kyle Sinckler and centre Ben Te'o, while the Wales number eight Ross Moriarty is a surprise inclusion.

Head coach Warren Gatland has named an enlarged party, with England's Jonathan Joseph named as one of the centres, but there is no room for Joe Launchbury, George Ford, James Haskell or Chris Robshaw.

Warburton becomes only the second man to captain back-to-back Lions tours, after Martin Johnson in 1997 and 2001.

"There were some pretty lively debates finalising the squad," Gatland said.

"But we are very happy with the quality of squad we have."

Sam Warburton reveals where he was when he received the call from Warren Gatland telling him he would captain the Lions: "I was in a supermarket car park." The Welshman insists he will be 100% fit for the tour to New Zealand.

Coach Gatland says: "There were some pretty lively debates finalising the squad," but we are very happy with the quality of squad we have."