There's a new addition to the Cambodian section in the Guinness Book of Records.

The first person on the face of the planet to jog across the newly refurbished "Broken

Bridge" was M.P. Noonan, so the intrepid Yankee argues. M.P. attempted the track-shoed

crossing three times -only to be turned back each time-and then was finally successful

on her fourth bid when bridge guards let the sports enthusiast truck on by with a

smile and a wave on Sept. 22.

Speaking of sports, Cambodia is about to be invaded again from Vietnam only this

time, as a good indication of how times have changed for the better, it will be by

those fun-loving, jogging (and a few beers) enthusiasts known fondly for decades

as the Hash House Harriers. The Phnom Penh chapter has invited their soul-mates up

from Ho Chi Minh this weekend to celebrate their 60th run. They too will run or walk

or stop and enjoy the view as they try and cross the Chrouy Changvar Bridge and back

on Saturday around 4:30 PM. The Olympians depart from the Royal at 4 PM. All proceeds

will go to charity. Continental Indochine has taken the lead in sponsoring the event.

The Gecko hears that one of the sights one can now see from the bridge includes Phnom

Penh yuppies on rented cruise boats out for an afternoon of some fun in the sun.

Happy-go-lucky coeds have been seen shooting off their boyfriend's pistols which

are then tucked in the back of the boy's pants with an affectionate smile. Can you

imagine some 19-year-olds retelling of the date: "Wow, I let her shoot my gun

and I think she likes me."

Gun prices are going up, so the Gecko hears. Vendors at the gun market on the way

to the airport say that an influx of "foreign aid workers" looking for

hand guns has pushed prices up. East German Lugers have gone from $75 to $150.

A traffic advisory has been issued from now to December on the road from Phnom Penh

to the Thai border. Watch out for UNTAC convoys of 150 cars each driving at reckless

speeds because as the Gecko was told there will be less chance for any of the drivers

to take a convenient left turn and make off with a stolen vehicle. In any event,

the convoys are on hold for the moment -too many blown up bridges north of Battambang.

Two consumer alerts. Watch our for cases of Becks Beer on the market that have passed

the expiration date. One disgruntled guzzler described the outdated brew as "..flat

and metallic, better save it for guests."

Need a condom? Rumor has it that a batch of CAREXs made by a Malaysian company and

purchased by UNTAC were found to be "rotten" while a not-so-tightly controlled

disposal process has enabled them to end up in shops around town.