Creek Road Runners Bill Rose, Bob Bennett, Charlie Riordan, Bob Opila, Vic Kaliakin, Steve Goodwin, and Mark Deshon salute the new year 2007.
 

No muss, no fuss (no mud, no wildlife*) this year. All seven of the hearty who showed up for this traditional run—at an unconventional 1:00 start time—enjoyed the improved man-made and weather-enhanced surface conditions at Fair Hill. The group began to spread out just before heading up the center hill, with Mark Deshon and Vic Kaliakin in pursuit of leaders Charlie Riordan and newcomer Bill Rose.

On the downslope to the low point on the course, Mark makes a tactical blunder by catching up and racing past Charlie and Bill. This lit a fire under Bill, causing him to press the pace up the monster hill, which, as always, further divided the field. Charlie struggled to keep in contact, and Mark and Vic fell well off. Vic was especially annoyed to have incurred a delay while trying to pass a half dozen horses on the narrow trail after cresting the hill.

But the real theme of the day was that no mistakes were made. Both Bob Opila (see the 2005 run) and Steve Goodwin (see the 2002 run) started on time AND in the right place. They were both rewarded with not having to run either a) alone or b) any extra distance this day.

Munchkins™, the official post-race event food (Charlie, too, runs on Dunkin’), was supplemented this year by some muffins and water (thanks, Jo Anne). In mastering the course once again, Bob Bennett completed his first hard run since last April.

*unless you count circling buzzards and riders on horseback

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