*Ed & Shannon:Possibly poised to repeat?.... *Jack Murphy:The Godfather of Local Running & his Thur eve fun runs..... *Liberty Night @ Oak Park Results..... *And Story ,Too.... *Der Fuhrer(papers und I.D.,bitte schon) coming to Hillsbororo Balloonfest?.....*Valet Parking at the Sizzlers:It is true! *Holy Moly: Races galore on the Fourth......*Theme change for next week at Nuby(fives are wild: read below).....*Caz & Burt leaders at Sizzler Halfway point...*Overall Point Standings.. *Bananarama Relay to add new division....*

Hi Kids: Aren't you happy it is summer? Sure, you are.Who isn't?

* Say,I had the chance to partake of Jack Murphy's summer fun runs in Peterboough last Thursday.They are held each Thursday at 6:00pm at Pboro El. School,Rte 202.Best part? They don't cost nuthin'! This is as pure as it gets.Jack Murph' has been in the sport for 60 years(maybe 62).He was a very decent distance runner in his day, competing at the varsity level Boston College,this following a stellar prep school career where he was among the elite in New England.. like the Alex McGrath of his day.I know..there is one Alex.One,Jack Murphy too.

He made his mark, though, wher we should all strive to make it....in service and in giving. This he has done...Coach Murphy served as track and cross country coach for Con-Val HS for ages, building the program into a New Hampshire powerhouse, a respected tradition that has churned out countless champions during his tenure.It has continued to this present day, under the guidance of Scott Jenkins.

Coach Murphy loves the sport of running.It shows in his time investment.He is a true asset to the community in whch he lives.He must be in his mid 70's now, and is a throwback to an earlier, better era.It was great to see him still at it, still contributing.There were 8 runners who tackled the 5k x-c route.No frills.I remember races like these.Long may he live.Thanks for all you have done,Jack!

*With their wins last Tue night at Oak Park,Ed and Shannon Glidden are stealthily moving up the standings in their respective genders.Ed won outright(no Eliza this week), and is now tied with Scott McGovern for second with 39 points.Shannon, meanwhile, cut into Shauna's(Tour De France:remember?)lead , and now sits pretty in the runner-up spot, only 2 points of the pace.

* So at the hafway point we have our leaders (donning the yellow flags): Cazman at 42,and Shauna Burt at 43.It is tight on both sides.Will it be Mikey with his sixth world title, the Gliddens repeating, or Scott McGovern claiming his first.Libby is in third for the gals with 34.We will see. Check out the overall point standings below.

*Speaking of Libster, I wonder if she has been taking race car lessons from Danica Patrick, the Diva of Driving on the INDY circuit.We were all sent scattering into the bushes as L.T.careened around the corner on two wheels in order to make the race.No one was hurt.Maybe some minor cuts and bruises, but nothing serious though.It did get the arenalin going fo the runners, however. I think everyone set a PR at Oak Park.

Anyway,with the car on its side,a group of us pulled Lib out, set her on the starting line, got the racers off,and tipped the vehicle back onto all fours..like you would a cow if it fell over & couldn't get back up. Bob Fogg, who does it all, parked Lib's Ferrari(or was it a souped up etta?) so she would be all set when she finished.Lib was 2nd, her highest finish ever.Nice job..and Thanks,Bob, forthe valet service.I am not sure how much Lib gave Bob for a tip. My guess? One Ulysses S. Grant.But knowing Libby,a Century-note is more like it.

* So the Hillsboro Balloonfest race is this Friday.And if you produce I.D.(you'll have to in order to race), you may run.I have done this many times(event he first annual many moons ago).The price is right at 10.00.But I will not show any ID simply for a race.So I shall not participate.Der Fuhrer had national ID program, Homeland Security, and other civil liberty-stripping measures in order to control the citzenry.Act.But wait! We have the same things here.Sig Heil?Nein,Danke.

*Many races over the Fourth.They had 330 runners in Keene on Indy Day.Wow.So that is 330 times 20 bucks a head.Only 6500 bucks.I saw that a 53 y/o woman ran like 20 mins and change( 5:15 pace) for a 4 miler.Must have been a misprint.That would be a first.If anyone knows the scoop, clue me in.I think the course is short.I have run it.Merrimack had about 600 in it.Again, $20.00 times 600 is a mere 12 thousand dollars.Chump change.I say:Cut the fees in half.

* We have a change in themes next week at Nuby! Rather than ' Hall Of Fame Night' I have decided to make it 'Beat The Race Director!' Here is the deal.Yours truly will participate in the killer 5 miler on the shores of Lake Nubanusitt Lake.I will give everybody in the field who pays their 5.00 fee a five minute head start.If I catch you..then ya win nuthin'.Just your regular prize at the table of booty.

However...... if I do not beat you, then ya get your choice of either a small ice cream at Kimball's, or..... one general admission ticket to a 2008 Nashua Pride baseball game! Not bad, huh? This could put me in the por house.So mark your calendars for Tue,July 15th. It is your chance to get revenge on me.. and go home with some extra bling. Bring a friend or two or three or more...

*Don' t forget:One fortnight hence and a day(July 22nd) is the Annual Bill Engle Bananarama Relay @ Norway Hill!This draws them out from the four corners of the Earth. This year we have five divisions: Family,Mixed, All Ladies,All Gents,and a newby... over 60....So start assembling your teams today.

Scroll down for updated point standings, Oak Park race story and results.

Mr Birse, Editor,Publisher & Majority Stockholder, Monadnock Runner News