Two Days Remain to Get in at Bargain Rate
"As advertised, our fee will rise from $25 to $35 for the month of May," said Greg Henderson, interim race director and chief financial officer for the Patch Sprint. "The early bird gets the worm; He who hesitates is lost; A stitch in time saves nine and a penny saved is a penny earned!"
So far, nearly $1,900 has been raised for the Adirondack Scholarship Foundation, the Patch Sprint'a sole beneficiary. "We've had several pledges of over one hundred dollars, and a dozen other 'Patch Club' donors ($46 or more)," voiced Tim Singer, Patch Sprint co-chairman and executive director of the Foundation. "We're well on our way to our goal of $2,500!"
A good chunk of that donation comes thanks to trekker David Mason. Earlier this year, Mason made a generous contribution and pledged an added bonus: one extra dollar for each registered participant. Now, he has upped the ante. "I'm giving a dollar for each racer and trekker, two dollars for each Kindersprinter, three for each Clydesdale and five dollars for any racer and trekker 65 and older."
All of the divisions are starting to take shape. Here's a brief overview, keeping in mind that official predictions won't be released for 22 days.
OPEN MALE: During the 21st century, only two racers- Jim Kobak and Jason Fiegl- have won here and there's no reason to believe that they can be unseated this year. Their closest competition should come from teenagers Alec Bohn, Jacob Gittler ("I'm in it to win") and Jack Kinney, as well as improved performances by Tom Moffett and Chris Durlacher. WILD CARD: Moscato is always a wild card.
OPEN FEMALE: Total opposite of the men: eight different winners in the past eight races. Of those, Sheila Mulherin is the only former champion entered into this year's event so far. Devin Winter has been training hard; Jen Mattimore has lost a lot of weight from last year's race; and Cindy Mercado and Stephanie Lylis are past Top-3 finishers. WILD CARD: Not much is known about Diana Falkenbach. She may be a college professor.
MEN'S MASTERS: The clear favorite in this division will be 57 year old Jerry Ross, who surprised many with his victory in his 2007 debut. Past medal mainstays George Disney, Tom Lynch and Tim Singer will battle for second and third, with at least one dropping out due to injury. WILD CARD: Erik Anderson
WOMEN'S MASTERS: A freak snowmobile accident (who allows their ten-year old to drive?) has knocked two-time defending champion Eileen Leone from the race. Susan Trzaskos is the heavy favorite in this division. Anyone know how to pronounce her last name?
CLYDESDALE: Lawsuits and name calling have smeared this once proud division. Come race day, past winners Ken Ryba, Ben Stanley and Roberto Mercado will have to settle things on the trail. WILD CARD: Josh Bornt.
KINDER-SPRINT: The Canning, Zimmerman, Lynch, Lounsbury and Konowitz kids have all threatened to boycott claiming that "the division is treated as second class and we don't get to attend the evening keg party!" At press time, Elizabeth Swan appears to be the front-runner..
TREKKER: The largest division has over 20 entries, as of April 28. Chris Bell, 50, will be jogging the course and could post the fastest time. Everyone else will be enjoying themselves.
(as of 4/28)
TREKKER 21
OPEN MALE 12
VOLUNTEER 10
OPEN FEMALE 9
FRIEND /DONOR - 9
MENS MASTERS 6
CLYDESDALE - 5
KINDERSPRINT - 3
WOMEN'S MASTERS 1
for the 2008 Patch Sprint
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