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French Fries Field Antrim's Troy French proved to be a hero on two accounts Tuesday evening as the Summer Sizzlers kicked off its twelfth season with the first of a dozen foot races at four popular venues. The speedy Troy not only took first place honors by posting a time of 18:21 over one rough and tumble three miler at Norway Hill, but he also saved the day when both stop watches went kablooey, leaving the Race Director scrambling for both another solution as well as his meds. Lightbulb! Meds must have helped. because I sent out a Sizzler Nation cavalry scout officer (Ruth Bergmann) to warn/ask /beg /plea the first place runner NOT to stop his watch at the finish line.. so we could accurately time him and the rest of the field. Fortunately,Troy was both wearing a watch and had the presence of mind not to instinctively push the 'stop' button.I'd have been popping nitro pills like penny candy..not to mention the valium. In 121 races, a timing malfunction had always been my scariest nightmare and one that eluded us.Until till last night. Mr French could have said:'So what's it worth to you anyway..having a working chronometer?' He could have named his price.. got it too. But the Springfield College gentleman has too much class...and rescued Sizzlerville from disaster. Anyway,thank you,Troy.Runner- up,fresh from a track workout at Con-Val earlier in the afternoon, was defending champion Ed Glidden,Greenfield, with an 18:35.Third and fourth places saw dad and son duo Alec & Scot McGovern of Peterborough duke it out in times of 20:24 and 20:31.Alec probably walked to school today and my bet is he found an old potato in his lunch box and a dram of H2O as his only sustenance for the day.That's what happens when you show up poppa.Something tells me we may see the order reversed next week. Hometown wunderkind 11 year-old Andrew Hunt nailed down fifth with a sterling 23:27.Andrew was wired before the race. I had to wonder if Jolt Cola was still on the market and just how much of it the little guy consumed at his home just down the road before flying over the tree tops to join us at The Apple Orchards.Whoa boy! As far as the Damsels were concerned, none were in distress(you know the old saying) but we did have several ladies join us. Shauna Burt,Antrim,notched a 24:15 to earn bragging rights.I liked it better when her name was Bean..Nicknames were easier (lima,pinto ,baked and pea to name a few).A normal surname such as Burt makes it much more difficult on pundits. I wonder if Shauna realizes that. Defending Sizzler Lady Championette Shannon Glidden,Greenfield,was 2nd(10th overall) in 26:59.She is only about eleven.Like Mr. Energy is. See Jolt Cola ref above. Libby Twitchell ,Peterborough, was bronze medalist in 27:30, and Christina Christides(with a ring ding in one hand and a soda in another....I think so anyway, but maybe I am wrong) captured fourth for lassies in 33:20. It was 'Thanksgiving in May' as we christened yet another season here in Sizzler Nation. We are the longest continuing race series in the Granite State. Prizes included turkey bacon, turkey hamburg, turkey hot dogs, turkey bologne, turkey juice and milk(scratch those last two), 'May'flour',' 'Macy's Parade Gatorade, 'Thanksgiving Day Milky Way', 'Pilgrim Peanuts', 'Massasoit Manna,' 'Tom Turkey Tic Tacs,' Horn Of (Good &)Plenty,'Plymouth Rock Sun Block,' 'Peace Pipe Popcorn,' 'Indian Pudding,'gravy,cranberry sauce,corn ,pies and so much more. We do have a lot to be thankful for, certainly, and we did just that last evening here in Sizzler City..counted our blessings. So we set our sights next week upon Oak Park for our second event:'Race For The Black Fly Pie.' Cost is only 5.00, start time is 6:30 pm and the runners will be traversing a lovely four mile route. The black flies will most likely tag along en masse.After all, the whole theme is in their honor and they wouldn't dare be no-shows.Even though no one would complain if they stayed home for the evening. Possible prizes you could win if you run (and finish) include such items as the following: -Black Fy Apple Pie -Dragon Fly Pie -Horsefly Pie -Larvae Pie -Mosquito Muffins -Gator-Raid -It's A Bug's Life Cereal Rug -Bee Stings Ring Dings -Deodor-Ant -Insect Infection Confection Those and many more. You should attend.Why join the lemmings to pay 20 or 25 bucks so you can get yet another shirt and run 5 thousand of your closest friends. It doesn't make sense.Shop local .Run local. Oh Hey.Thanks to Gretchen Garfinkle and Bob Fogg for voluntering last night.They are the best. See you there.Call 525-9357 or email at sizzlermania@hotmail.com Below are the results from Race One.
Norway Hill Apple Orchards.. Hancock.. 'Thanksgiving in May'....May 27th, 2008.... 3 miles... 12th Annual Summer Sizzler Races
1. Troy French Antrim 18:21
RACE NOTES: * Good to have 5x Sizzler Nation Champion Mike Casner back with us.MC has been nursing an injury but is running once again.The Cazmeister has competed in four world championships as a member of the US Mountain running team and also has finished in the Top 5 at Mt Washington many times. * Bob Fogg is back for Our Dozenth Anniversary too.He is superb with children, active in so many town activities, and a real blessing to Sizzler City. Every town needs a Bob Fogg.Glad we have him. * Ditto to Gretchen Garfinkle.One of our all time volunteer all-Stars,the Gretch -meister really lightens things up and is a blast to work with at the finish line.One year she dressed up as a Christmas Tree whilst very much with child back in 2001 or '02 while carrying Ben.Welkommen! * Late last year Ken McCloud ,owner of Norway Hill Apple Orchards, passed away.He and wife Peg have always been the most gracious of hosts to us.We runners in Sizzler Nation extend our condolences to Peg and her family.He is one who really will be missed.I alwys enjoyed chatting with him.
Big void there.. with shoes no one can fill.He was part of that generation I have such deep admiration for.. and reminded me of my own pop. * I wheel -measured the course Monday..and it was 170 feet shy.I marked every half mile...spot on!
We may need another national referendum to vote on whether or not we should keep the course as it is .....or bring it up official wolrd standards.
* Don't forget to join us at Oak Park next Tuesday june 3rd.It is a cool, friendly and popular venue.Let's crank up the numbers.Bring a buddy.
* Race enty fees are getting crazy.Now it is $25.00 for a 5 k post -entry, $50.00 plus for half marathons, and pushing 100.00 for 26.2 milers.Why pay it?The sport is being invaded and taken over by the greedy.. with no regard for the runners themselves, except to be used as mice on a treadmill to generate cash for this and that.We need folks to be stewards of the sport of long-distance running,who will guard and preserve its integrity, tradition and purity.That is the whole purpose of the Sizzlers.... it is how I remember racing when I first got into it.. very old school.. $1.00 races.
* Steady Eddie Glidden was 2nd tonight..this after attending a Con-Val track workout earlier in the day.Ed and sister Shannon are defending champs.
* Weather was perfect at Norway Hill......cooled down nicely in time for the start...and the rains eluded us.
* Did you know Ben Franklin advocated for the turkey to be our national bird instead of The Bald Eagle?
That was a trivia question that never quite made it to the floor of The House last night.Now you know.
* Opening Night at the Sizzlers is a little like Christmas eve for me.It involves many different aspects & details of adminstration, but I love it. Exhausting from sunrise to sunset, but well worth it.
* We had a super duper group last night. We get the unique, the tough, the regular Joe & Jane. Good folks and wonderful camaraderie. Love'em!
Respectfully Submitted,
Dave Birse, Director of Maintenance
Sizzler Nation
603-525-9357
sizzlermania@hotmail.com
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Friday, June 20, 2008 07:19 PM