Metakis to boycott Patch Sprint
Until this past November. And their separation has created huge implications for the upcoming Patch Sprint, scheduled for May 24, in Willsboro, NY., as Jason Metakis, perennial top-3 finisher, is skipping the race in disgust.
“It was our first marathon”, lamented Jason, “and Marc and I ran the whole course together exchanging pacing responsibilities every four miles and trying to keep a pace just better than eight minute miles. With a couple of yards remaining, he broke away. What are you going to do?”
“Not a chance of that,” retorted Marc. “He’s been leaving me behind at The Sprint every year, including that time in ’01 when we were supposed to be racing as teammates. Don’t think I’ve forgotten that! And he kept trying to nudge in front of me all day long!” (above, left)
As for how this will effect the race, defending champion Jim Kobak said, “Good to have Jason off of my back. Marc doesn’t worry me. I can still take him on the steeps.”
Only one week into registration for the 2008 Patch Sprint, and already over $400 has been pledged toward the 2008 goal of $2,500.
As usual, veteran trekker and Men’s Masters entrant David Mason has given a generous donation. On top of that, for every individual registrant at this year’s event, Mason has pledged an extra one dollar for the Adirondack Scholarship Foundation. “Hopefully we’ll get at least the 125 people there were last year, plus more,” said Mason.
Although not a formal alumnus of Pok-O-MacCready Camps, Mason has been active in camp activities for a number of years, and especially supportive of fund raising events for the Foundation. At the 2007 46-in-a-Day, Mason recruited seven sponsors from his home in the Philadelphia area, with donations exceeding $200. He has also become the "designated ticket salesman" for the annual Patch Sprint 50-50 raffle. (Read more about the Patch Sprint’s fund raising beneficiary here).
