Poker-Playing Soccer Boss Bloom Stakes Winnings on Charity Run

Tony Bloom, a professional gambler, poker player and soccer club owner, is placing a major wager -- on himself.

Bloom bet 13,000 pounds ($19,400) that he can complete the April 12 Brighton Marathon in under three hours, 45 minutes. Three friends have given him odds ranging from 5-1 to 10-1, meaning he could make at least 65,000 pounds toward his goal of raising 100,000 pounds for the Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis charity. If he doesn’t make it, his friends keep the money.