Suffice it to say, the o' world is abuzz now in the leadup to the state champs.

As always, much of the speculation revolves around Snorkel, who is purportedly in the "best shape of his life" now and whose svelte, new look brings back shades of '85, the year he brought back the gold from the US champs. If this is true, he will be a "tough out" for Fritz, Peter, or anyone else with the gall to challenge for the lead.

Some say that Snorkel is also a leading contender in the Trot, a race in which he, like Spike, has always been the bride's maid and never the bride. A one-on-one showdown is possible between the two, who have split their last couple of meetings. Everybody knows that Spike has feigned slowness this year, preferring to avoid the spotlight. Many feel that he has just been biding his time and plans to debut his new form in a spectacular Trot bid. Of course we've all heard the reports that Spike clocked an unofficial 13:35 Test Loop last week, a would-be world record. Why would Spike have been fighting so hard to keep that news under wraps unless he planned to reveal his true fitness soon? No word has been heard yet from Brian May, last year's winner, leading many to speculate that he is vulnerable this year having acquired a fondness for K-Bob's BBQ $10.99 all-you-can-eat specials. Some feel he will hold off announcing his intentions until he sees the start list. Another possible spoiler would be Swampfox, who would head to KC straight from his sunny training camp in Santa Barbara where he recently finished up a lucrative mapping contract with Neverland Ranch. With a berth on the WOC team for Sweden up for grabs in LaRamie next summer, Swampfox will want to check out the new Snorkel.

-- Mook (mook@mook.com), November 25, 2003

Answers

Here is the current list of people who have entered for The Trot:

Nadim Ahmed Bowie, MD 20720; Casey Caughron Overland Park, KS 66212 ; Dave Coziahr Council Bluffs, IA 51501-2 ; Sharon Crawford Frisco, CO 80443 ; Kerry Davis Kansas City, MO 64111 ; Charlie DeWeese Canton, CT 06019 ; Michael Eglinski Kansas City, MO 64152 ; Matt Foresman Kansas City, MO 64155 ; David Frei St. Louis, MO 63146 ; Keith Lay Shawnee, KS 66226 ; Aaron Luffman Lee's Summit, MO 64081 ; Mikell Platt Laramie, WY 82070 ; Eric Saggars Olathe, KS 66062 ; Orlyn Skrien Leadville, CO 80461 ; Gary Thompson ;

-- Michael (meglin@juno.com), November 25, 2003.

Don't forget the all-time standings. http://www.ptoc.org/PTStand.htm

I'd expect to see some changes in the all-time standings.

-- Michael (meglin@juno.com), November 30, 2003.

Mook isn't running. I've heard rumors that Brian May (who wasn't on the list when I looked), might show up. I've also heard that Fritz was seen putting in a session of nearly five hours (!) of running last weekend.

-- Michael (meglin@juno.com), December 03, 2003.

I wouldn't expect much change. Barring DNF, the highest places in contention would be 5th-7th, although Mook would probably have to win to threaten the two ahead of him. Dave Frei and Gary Thompson will both hop over Rich Ruid (who won't be there), but it would be a big upset if Gary beat Dave. Other than that, the top 10 looks pretty set. Further down the list, there are some close battles, but with only 1 point difference for each place outside the top five, it takes years to erode even a small deficit.

-- ebuckley (ejbuckley@earthlink.net), December 03, 2003.