EXPERTS MAKE EARLY RACE PREDICTIONS
These changes, along with several alterations in personnel and format come just one year after the event experienced its largest and most successful run, with 75 participants in 2004.
ONE FOR THE KIDS
The division formally known as the Pok-O Sprint has been refined for 2005. Only those competitors aged 10 or younger will be allowed to race in the newly dubbed “Kinder-Sprint”. Says race director Sandy Solomon, “It’s our version of the kids fun run!”
“With a reduced entry fee and guaranteed awards for all finishers, this should be a fun and popular division,” said Solomon. “Designated chaperones will accompany the kids. These chaperones will receive free entry into the post-race party.”
The Clydesdale division, for racers and trekkers weighing 200 pounds or more, will again be run in 2005 with an added twist: For each pound over 200, racers will have one minute subtracted from their overall time. Thus, a 247 pound Clydesdale who finishes the Patch Sprint in a time of 4:06:55, will have a “net” time of 3:19:55. Placings will be determined by the top net times.
The change came about in large part due to the complaining of 2004 Clydesdale bronze medalist Josh Bornt. “It just wasn’t fair. I mean, Phil Maher is 203 and I was 260. That’s just bul#@&)t!”
Long time Patch Sprint spectator and supporter Gregson figures that “at 370 pounds, I have a shot at beating Kobak. I just need to be no more than 2 hours and 50 minutes slower!” Gregson was quickly corrected. “The weight formula is only specific to the Clydesdale division,” said Solomon, “and I don’t see Kobak qualifying for Clydesdales in 2005.”
For the 2005 Patch Sprint, Sandy Solomon will serve as the lone race director. The past two years, she had shared the title and responsibility with Mike Daley. Daley has stepped down to concentrate on winning the race. “I think I have a real shot this year.”
Said race co-chair Tim Singer, “We are sorry to see Mikey D. walk, but are thrilled that he has chosen to stay on as organizer of the race Expo. As for Sandy, she should be able to handle it alone, as long as she doesn’t sleep in on race day.”
Registration is still early, but active. Based on who is already in, along with projected entries, The Mirage in Las Vegas has placed the following early line:
MENS OPEN: Jim Kobak (1-4)…. Matt Moscatto (3-1)…. Jason Metakis (5-1)
WOMENS OPEN: Sami Daley (3-1)... Maggie Durlacher (7-2)... Elizabeth Disney (4-1)
MENS MASTERS: Peter Levine (even)… Tom Lynch (2-1)… John Rayburn (7-1)
WOMENS MASTERS: no line
CLYDESDALE: Ben Stanley (1-2)… Phil Maher (5-2)… Mike Taptick (10-1)
KINDER-SPRINT: Catherine Zimmerman (2-1)… Jackson Konowitz (4-1)… Nora Canning (6-1)
TREKKER (over/under): 27 finishers
For those who have already registered, please make your checks out to “Patch Sprint”. Payment should be sent to:
Greg Henderson, 128 Druid Drive, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Your entire amount- fee and donation- should be combined into one payment. At the event in May, you will receive a receipt for your charitable donation. Five dollars from every race fee is automatically earmarked for the Adirondack Scholarship Foundation. Your receipt will reflect that amount, plus any additional donation made upon registering, or at the event.
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