Long-time runner Al Bourgeois (MMM) got a lifetime thrill on 30 January as he carried the Olympic flame on a piece of its journey to Salt Lake City. After hopping off a bus that shuttled (and paced) a cluster of about 20 runners, Al brought the flame down two blocks of Iris Avenue in below-freezing temperatures as part of the nationwide torch relay. More than 20 relatives and friends, including a number of NCAR colleagues, braved the chill to watch Al in action. "It’s hard to describe the feelings of excitement and inspiration that went into those few moments running down Iris Avenue," says Al. "The support from family and fellow NCAR employees was just terrific. It was a cold day for spectating, and I appreciate that so many people came out to watch." One of the several people who nominated Al for the torch relay was Anne-Marie Tarrant (RAP), who says "Mr. Positive" was a natural choice: "He’s got such an infectious enthusiasm about him." Al gets to keep more than memories from his sprint—the flashy runner’s outfit and the torch stay with him (only the flame itself was relayed). "The most electric moment came as I jumped off the bus, with the cheers of the fellow torchbearers behind me and the cheers of the crowd ahead. Our last instruction was to make up as much time as possible—’Savor the moment, but savor it fast!’ " In retrospect, Al wishes he had taken his time a bit more, "but it was certainly the most emotion-filled two-tenths of a mile I think I’ll ever run." -Bob Henson (Photo by Carlye Calvin.)