Discussion: Streak

Forty consecutive Classic Champs is quite amazing! I'm impressed that you were healthy enough to compete every year. We missed you and Gail this year.

I could have gone, not ailing that much right now. I looked at the map some time ago, I think it was used a couple of years ago, and in all honesty it looked pretty unappealing, and so my desire was never real high. And so the easiest decision was just to bag it.

All things come to an end. Best to try to do it on your own terms.

I always felt a bit guilty for never being the course setter for the Classic champs. But it just never happened. I was involved in organizing two of them -- 1979 in Richmond, VA, registration/results in support of Hans Bengtsson meet director and course setter, so I could still run, and then 1993 at the O-fest at WOC, when the M/F21's ran a month earlier and then for everyone else it was days 4 and 5 of the O-fest.

A lot of memories over the years, mostly good....

If you wanted to assuage your guilt, it's conceivable that NEOC might host the Classic Champs in Western MA in 2017, and I'm sure Phil would be delighted to have your expert assistance - especially since who knows if he will be able to drive to the event site. Your streak is most impressive.

NEOC might host the Classic Champs in Western MA in 2017

First I've heard of that. But no worries about the car. By then I will have replaced my smogmobile with a new non-diesel VW, courtesy of that venerable company.