PATCH SPRINT
2008
MAY 23-25,
Willsboro, NY
RACERS TUNE UP FOR THE BIG EVENT
Several Top Contenders Post Top Results
Willsboro, May 5--  The North Country's largest and most popular sporting event- The Patch Sprint- is scheduled to be held in 19 days, and many of the top athletes have been putting in some solid performances in tune-up races around the region.
    The Buffalo contingency participated in the "Grand Island Half Marathon". Jen and Joe Mattimore have been preparing for several months. This year Jen (left), less than a year removed from bringing their son Waylon into the world, will be competing at the Patch Sprint in the Woman’s Open division. She completed her first half marathon in a solid two hours and 17 minutes. 
     Jen's Husband Joe, who has been Jen’s training partner, broke the two hour mark for the half-marathon.  Joe is signed on as a volunteer for the Patch Sprint, taking photos and acting as Sherpa.
     Matt Moscato, one of the Patch race favorites, posted an impressive time of one hour, 39 minutes.  "I'm looking forward to the Patch," said Moscato, who stopped short of predicting a victory, or even a top-3, but added,  "and I think that, if all goes well, I can come in around 2:30-2:35".
    On the other side of Lake Champlain, three Patch Sprinters tuned up at the "Champlain Classic 15K" in Shelburne, VT.
     Four-time Sprint champion Jay Fiegl (right) ran a very competitive race in the 15k with a time of one hour, five minutes, and a 15th place finish among the elite field. "I felt good and did a bit quicker than I had expected."
     Women's Open entrant Stephanie Konowitz, a veteran Patch Sprint trekker, racing for the first time in 2008, also completed the 15K with relative ease:  "I felt strong!"
     Meantime, two-time Patch Sprint Champion and master's division winner Tim Singer had to drop out mid-race with leg pain.  "My calf exploded on me!.  Bummer, 'cuz I'd been training well.  Maybe I'll be O.K. by the Sprint.  However, I'm happy for Jay and Steph, who both looked great."
Other tune-up race results of note:

-  Men's Open competitor Tom Moffett is the defending New York State biathlon Champion, capturing the title this past March in Saratoga.....

-  Women's Open veteran Stephanie Lylis put in a time of just over two hours at the recent "Leaf Peepers Half Marathon"....
-  Defending Womens Open Champion Sheila Mulherin fined tuned her speed work with a time of 21:59 at the "Race of Ireland & United States of America", held in Massachussets....

-  And several racers in several Patch Sprint divisions won medals at the Can-Am hockey tournament, held last month in Lake Placid (right)....

And this just in:  Eric Bauer finished his winter 46ers.
COMING SOON TO PATCHSPRINT.COM:

-  The full weekend schedule and Race Expo lineup
-  Confirmation of starting times and housing assignments
-  A Final Notice for all registered participants
-  Danny Sheridan's 2008 Patch Sprint Predictions
REGISTER for the 2008 Patch Sprint

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