'Hancock's' Jason Bateman enjoys the Hollywood climb

NESTLED IN the hills to the west of the Hollywood sign, Runyon Canyon is a see-and-be-seen hiking circuit, heavy on the unleashed dogs. As a workout, it's a dust-bowl journey of around 45 minutes, during which one sometimes passes -- amid the halter-topped women running fiercely and the Sherpa types strolling with several dogs -- an actor of some repute.

By Paul Brownfield

July 4, 2008