MILLER-PROULX-FERENCE SMASH  BANANARAMA SIZZLER  RELAY RECORD

It was bound to happen. Especially with this tandem.  And perhaps ONLY with a trio consisting of Mark Miller, Mary Proulx, and Josh Ferenc could a course record be obliterated on the grueling Norway Hill three-mile loop.

 On Wednesday July 26th these national class athletes accomplished precisely that with a cumulative time of 15:19 in capturing first place overall honours at the 2006 Summer Sizzler World Tour’s Annual “Bananarama Relay Race” in Hancock. The contest consists of three different runners covering a mile apiece. It is the anchor leg of the race which puts hair on the chests of the competitors, regardless of gender.

This was quite possibly the most elite field  ever assembled in the 109 Sizzlers which have been run over its storied ten years of existence. There was an energy and electricity  radiating, penetrating and encompassing  the dense midsummer air that was felt by competitor, spectator and volunteer alike. Its presence was  evident from the advent of the initial  runners  at the pre-race sign up and continued to build through the night.

Norway Hill is arguably the most difficult  incline in the region to negotiate, featuring a monstrous climb nearly three -fourths of a mile in length. Few   get to the top without walking( no shame in that).So when the record books get rewritten on a night more fit  for a swim medley than a running relay, it is time to  stand   up and note  the occasion well. History is being made in our very midst.

 Mark Miller, Keene, led a starting field of  seventeen teams with an absolutely blistering 4:08 downhill first  mile, while Francestown’s Nick Jenkins (of UNH) loomed a few seconds back in 4:13. Miller, a national  1500  meters champion  at Keene State , then handed off to Mary Proulx, who also holds several collegiate titles  and course records  during her days at Keene State. 

She kept up  a strong  pace  for mile two, keeping company with   Con-Val’s  Troy French ( A Sizzler Iron Man, by the way) as the  duel continued past the race’s half way mark  and the turn onto Norway Hill Road.

Proulx passed off the baby banana( which we use as a baton...because we here in Sizzlerville like to be different and always think ‘outside-the-bun”) to hill maven Josh Ferenc, who is not only  a 10,000 meter All-American  but a 2005 member of the US- National  Mountain Running Team which competed at the world championship in Spain.Josh consumes mountains like obese America does trash TV and fried twinkies. Can’t get enough of them.

Ferenc charged upward and onward through the heart of the ascent, but valiantly  scoping him out was nationally- ranked   high school wunderkind Alex McGrath of Francestown, who at a mere 15 years of age is a rising star who has not come close to his potential yet. Alex earned his asterisk(signifying he is among the elite in his age division) with a superb clocking at the Hillsborough Balloonfest certified 5-k race  earlier in the month.

Having taken the ‘baton” from French, Alex  knew  he had his work cut out for him. Going against a more seasoned and savvy veteran can only help Alex  as he heads into his junior year at Con-Val , where he will likely be the odds-on favorite   for the cross-country title.

When the dust had settled   from this  knock-em down, drag ‘em out brawl on the broiling pavement, it was Ferenc who provided his team a  slim  yet sizable seven-second  margin of victory over the young guns.

Both times of  15:19 and 15:26 were well under the previous standard of 15:35, set by the same Josh Ferenc in 2000.That mark still remains the CR for individuals. 

Miller, Proulx and Ferenc have achieved All-American status  about 17-20  times collectively.

Winning team members received  native New  Hampshire  maple syrup for their efforts.

Division champions were as follows:

·         MIXED:       Mark Miller, Mary Proulx, Josh Ferenc (15:19)

·         MEN’S:        Ben Jenkins, Troy French,Alex McGrath (15:26)

·         FAMILY:     Matt Worthen, David Worthen,Nathan Worthen (22:23)

·         ANCIENTS: Bill Engle, Kathy Engle, George Vagalebre (23:56)

A total of forty-one runners took part in the Bananarama relay event, which has been a fan favorite among the citizens of Sizzler Nation for years.

 A big thanks to special volunteers   Lisa Ramey, Bob Fogg, Bill and Kathy Engle,and Gina Damon.

The 2006 Summer Sizzler World Tour series concludes next week at Oak Park in Greenfield , with a four mile circuitous route in the offing. ”Customer Appreciation Night “ is our final theme, and Nation members will enjoy hand-picked  blueberries as well as hot dogs and the usual fruit, beverages and potpourri of prizes.

The highlight of the evening will come at the finish line, when all racers are presented with  the yearly ‘novelty item’ as they cross the line. Calculators, frisbees, flashlights, mini-footballs, tumblers( all with the race logo and lettering inscripted on the item)have all been presented in the past.

The race itself is slated for Wednesday August 2^nd, 2006, 6:30 pm. Post entry only. The cost is five dollars. While this is not a closed competition, Sizzler Central advises and encourages only those who have competed in at least three runs  to participate in the event. Preference and partiality will be given to alumni first.

Order of  prize selection will be given to those who have completed the most Sizzlers on the year. Moreover, iron runners Nick Jenkins and Troy French not only get first dibs at the  booty, but also will gain a one-minute advantage over all others. Beginning sixty seconds ahead of their comrades may result in a two-man duel at the  finish  line for top honors overall. That remains to be seen.

For first timers, the entry fee will be ten dollars. We pay respects on week ten to those who have faithfully supported the races all year. It is their night. You can still come if you like, and will garner the same amenities, but it will just cost a few bucks more.

 It remains a bargain nonetheless in an age of super-inflated and totally unjustified entry fees for a sport that needs to be rescued from greedy charlatans and unscrupulous profiteers.

For more information on the finale, to run, volunteer or become a financial “Patron Saint of the Sizzler,” please call 525-9357 or email HQ @ sizzlermania@hotmail.com