If any readers find themselves in urgent need of a City lawyer this evening, they may find the phone is ringing out to an empty office. It seems that more or less the whole of the City branch of the profession will be taking part in the 5km Standard Chartered Great City Race this year. Whether it’s anything to do with a drop-off in mergers and acquisitions work, Obiter would not like to speculate, but 1,943 lawyers will be lining up at the starting blocks. Apparently there is always a big turnout from the legal profession, which this year will make up a third of all participants. So you might presume that the first prize is regularly taken by a solicitor? Not so. The trophy has not gone to a law firm since the race began. Come on, City lawyers – surely it is time for this embarrassing state of affairs to be resolved. If any legal runners are in search of inspiration, just imagine you are chasing the last M&A deal.