Patch Sprint Imposters Abound in 2007 Rival Camps to Stage Their Own Events

North Country, March 26-- It's no secret the Patch Sprint has increased in popularity over the past few years.  Now, a few Adirondack summer camps want in on the action.  Two local camps have submitted their ideas to hold "Patch-like" events over Memorial Day Weekend, unapologetically stealing the successful formula that has made the Patch Sprint a great success over the years.      Patch Sprint organizers suspect this was a move initiated by Camp Dudley operatives in order to prove their worth as hikers.  Dudley counselors have long been considered well-mannered, stylish, charming, and clean.  Yet they find themselves at a distinct disadvantage to Pok-O-MacCready when it comes to hiking.

Camp Dudley, located just a few miles south of Pok-O-MacCready Camps, proposed the "Four Hill Jaunt."  Dudley spokesman Rufus Dinwiddie describes this as a "lovely spring afternoon walkabout on some breathtaking hills surrounding the Dudley environs."  The 3-mile course starts at Dudley, then proceeds up Kronks Hill (450'), Twin Hill (450'), Ainger Hill (600'), and finishes atop Bart Royce Hill (540').  Finishers are served non-alcoholic mint juleps along with a catered breakfast of Canadian Bacon, Crepes Suzette, and Eggs Florentine.  Proceeds raised will go toward furnishing every cabin with a 57" Plasma and Xbox 360.  "We'll need to break away from Croquet practice (right) in order to train for the Jaunt," said Chipper Covington.

Camp Lincoln on Auger Lake in Keeseville quickly followed suit with its own version of the Patch Sprint.   The hippie Lincoln counselors who conceived the idea have called their version the "4 Mountain Move and Groove."  The 10-mile course begins at Lincoln, proceeds up Perkett (1128'), Hogback (1335'), Bald Face (1719') and finishes atop Pok-O-Moonshine.   Proceeds from the event go to "Save the Phish", a charity devoted to reuniting popular jam band Phish for one final performance.  Jay Fiegl (running past Lincoln rooters) is torn as to which race to run.

Only time will tell if these events will take hold.  Nonetheless, the Patch Sprint welcomes the attempts made by these rival summer camps, if only to show that come Memorial Day Weekend the Patch Sprint will still be the greatest event in the North Country.

2007 REGISTRANTS TO DATE DIVISIONAL BREAKDOWN OPEN MALE                13 TREKKER                    11 VOLUNTEERS              5 MENS MASTERS          4 KINDER SPRINT          4 OPEN FEMALE             3 WOMENS MASTERS    1 FRIEND/DONOR          1

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