DISNEYS HOLDING OUT FOR PRIZE MONEY "I gotta put my kids through college!"

WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY: (l-r) Two-time champions Elizabeth and Alexandra hold the course record; Sarah has been the event's most reliable volunteer; George annualy challenges for masters title; Cecilia has volunteered and raced.

Johnstown, NY, April 24--  The Patch Sprint would not be the same without them.  The Disney Family has been a fixture at the annual Memorial Day weekend race, trek, party and reunion.  "Not just a fixture," says race director Sandy Solomon, "but a vital cog."      Yet unless race organizers come up with a way to meet the Disney's financial demands, the storied family will be a no-show for the 2006 event.  At issue are prize money, incentive bonuses and appearance fees."

"We don't want to sound selfish," voiced Elizabeth Disney, 18, "but we are busting are butts here!  Most events have generous cash rewards not only for winning, but for setting course records, as Alex and I did in each of the past two years."  Added Alexandra:  "Yeah.  The Olson twins rake in $50-million annually.  We're just looking for our fare share!"      Meantime, Disney family patriarch George will settle for a modest appearance fee.  "We've got mouths to feed and kids to put through college!.  Race volunteer Sarah allows how "I'd be happy to work.  I don't even need a wage; just a simple 'thanks' from the runners as they pass by."      The fifth member of the family, Cecilia, is steering clear of the controversy for the time being, hinting that "I may make it to the race regardless."

The potential loss of the Disney's would be felt far and wide.  "I've been training hard to beat them," complained Kate Durlacher, third place finisher in 2005.  "They can't let me waltz to victory without at least a challenge!"  Two-time defending masters champion Tim Singer added, "George was right on my tail in each of the last two races (a 26 second separation in 2005).  I thought that 2006 would be his year."      And as the Patch Sprint is searching hard for volunteers, the loss of Sarah really stings.  "I count on her," said Solomon.  "That one year when I was hungover, we never would have pulled off the race without Sarah."      Patch Sprint officials are in ongoing meetings with Disney attorneys here in Johnstown in hopes of reaching some sort of accord.

FIRST EVER MASTERS WOMEN      Registration is busy with 2006 totals, as of today, already approaching the 2005 race day tally.  "Did I mention we still need volunteers?" asked Solomon.      For the first time in race history, the women's masters division will be contested.  While expected favorite Marianne Perrault pulled out, former MacCready camper Eileen Sofield Leto Leone has entered, along with fellow Virginia based distance runner Barbara Timbrin.              SEE DETAILED LIST & BIOS OF ALL ENTRANTS

REGISTERED (as of 4/26 )      TREKKER -                     26      OPEN MALE -                 13      OPEN FEMALE -              7      VOLUNTEER -                  7      MEN'S MASTERS -           6             CLYDESDALE -                5      KINDER-SPRINT -            4      FRIEND / DONOR -           3      WOMEN'S MASTERS -     2

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