In response to e-mail suggestions that NER's web posting pick of Greater Lowell stalwart Eric Beauchesne (Bew-Shane not Bew-Chez-Nee) as the favorite to defend his title at this weekend's CompassBank Cape Cod Marathon has devastated the young man's chances...

We say, Ix-Nay!

Consider that the medium is the message and that the prediction was posted on our website, which like all websites is a tiny island in an ever expanding sea...hence, it will have the opposite effect of the usual jinx.

Now, if the prediction had seen the dark of print in a certain bastion of journalistic running integrity...well yes, that would have been the kiss of death.

Anyway, while we're here, NER also predicts that GLRR teammate Tom Doody will win the masters title and that returning champions Jimmy Fallon and course record holder (2:17:35) Randy Thomas will get lost on Saturday's booze cruise to Martha's Vineyard and wake up Sunday in Oak Bluffs.