For those of you who were sitting around thinking, "I wonder where Boyd will be on Sunday, October 31, 2004?" (you were wondering that, weren't you?), I've got the answer: I'll be at the 29th running of the Marine Corps Marthon, also known as "The People's Marathon." And no, I won't be running in it (biking is more my style), but I'll be providing communications support, along with a hundred or so other Amateur Radio operators.

And speaking of biking, that's what I'll be doing for the race. I'll be operating out of one of the aid stations to respond to reports of folks needing help, and patrolling for same. I've outfitted my bike to support a dual-band 2 meter/70 centimeter antenna about three feet tall, and a small "walkie talkie" style (we Hams call them HTs, or Handie-Talkies) attached to the handlebar and an earpiece/microphone with remote transmit switch on the handlebar under my right thumb.

The Marines are trying something new this year. While they've used the Champion Chip in past years to provide timing information on the runners, this year they'll be putting that information up on their web site. The site will show actual splits and the final time for each runner, and will also project each runner's position on the course based on the most recent split time and pace calculations.

So as you're preparing for your Halloween festivities, whatever form they may take, you can be comforted knowing that Boyd is out there on the mean streets of DC, helping to make the Marine Corps Marathon a success!