Happy Holidays and Thanks from DtB

Happy Holidays everyone!

On behalf of the humble little operation known as Down the Backstretch, let me wish all of you a happy, healthy, and relaxing holiday season. As much as we all love cross country, track & field, and road racing, it's now time to focus on family and friends rather than results and performances.

As we've done in the past, DtB is going to enjoy a holiday vacation in the next few weeks. We'll be back after the New Year, of course, getting you back on top of the sport and the budding indoor season.

Before we go, let me take a moment to thank some of the folks that made 2009 another fine year for DtB. First off, special, heart-felt thanks go to Adam Lindahl of TC Running Company and the Board of Directors at USA Track and Field - Minnesota for their support of DtB as its presenting sponsors. Without their generous support, DtB would likely not still exist. We'd also like to thank everyone who has advertised with us during the year -- your support is truly appreciated!

I'd also like to thank anyone and everyone who has contributed to DtB. Special thanks go to co-founder Pete Miller, fantasy maven Doug Cowles, photographer Gene Niemi, reporters and commentators Jim Ferstle, Chad Austin, Chris Marshall, Chris Lundstrom, Kevin Holubar, Sean Hartnett, and Bill and Tim Miles. Without the generous contributions of those folks and others, DtB wouldn't have been all that it was.

Finally, allow me to thank you, our readers, for making DtB an important part of your enjoyment of the greatest sport on earth. Your continued loyalty to DtB makes the job of covering all the track, road, and cross country action fun and rewarding.

So Happy Holidays everyone ... and see you next year!