It was a cool, foggy day, the day before Halloween, a day of ghosts and goblins, of witches and black cats and of Halloween road races! We start our ghoulish expedition in Waban, a small, sleepy village outside of Newton. Ray Gonzalez, Feliciano Protasi, and Mark and Kumiko Seijima-Woods found their way through a fog suitable for Ichabod Crane! This was to be Mark and Kumiko's first 5K, would it be their last? Fred Tressler, the dungeon master, glared over the proceedings. Bob Gillon, his leading henchman, saw to it that the masters wishes were fulfilled. Was this done in the hope of immortality, or simply for a crunchy cockroach? The course started down Beacon Street before making a left onto lonely Waban Road. Many a glowing Jack O'Lantern were seen on seemingly benevolent stoops, their jagged, carved smiles peeled back in a hideous grimace as if mocking the agony on the faces of the runners as they streamed by. Mark, perhaps spooked, was running for his life. So great was the fear in his heart, he gave little thought of the friends he left behind.

After a mile the course turned along the river. The smell of bog bodies filled the air. Feliciano glanced at his watch at the two mile mark. He heard a heavy breathing closing in behind him. He pushed the pace even more, but the last mile, perhaps sensing his urgency began to climb, slowly at first and then more quickly. The breathing was getting closer. Thoughts of werewolves, vampires, and mummies ran through his mind, as he tried vehemently to escape his tormentor. Who or What could it be? Little did he know it was Ray Gonzalez, back from the dead! Yes, he was back and he was hungry for blood! Like a zombie, he persued, his face expressionless, his eyes glazed over in a mirky haze. "Felix... FElix ... ", he groaned.

Ahh, the 3 mile mark! One tenth of a mile to go, and as if some deity had taken pity on the motley mass of sweaty bodies, a gentle downhill began. Mark cruised in first, the terror still so great he didn't even acknowledge those few supporters on the sideline.

Then came Feliciano, the sound of Ray still ringing in his ears. Ray Gonzalez, as evidence of his "other-than-human" persona, seemed remarkably fresh. "A pact with the devil?" you may ask. We may never know!

But what of Kumiko? Had she fallen into the clutches of some sinister sorcerer? Ah, happy to say, no! She too survived and lived to run another day!