2001								2002
																																								1998
																																																						2000
																								1997																								1999
																1996
																																																																2008
																																									2005
																							2004
																																																	2006													2007
															2003
									46 Days Until Patch Sprint 2009!
											NO WORD YET FROM DEFENDING CHAMPIONS... But Field is Loaded with Past Race Winners
								WILLSBORO, April 6-- With less than four weeks remaining until Patch Sprint 2009, The field of racers and trekkers is beginning to take shape.  "We have 47 registered participants," said Race Starter Matt Bresler, appearing here today at a pre-event press conference.  "With the approaching deadline for registering at the lower cost, we expect to double that number by May 1, and to cut off registration in advance of event weekend."." (SEE LIST of REGISTRANTS)
																																																													REGISTERED (as of 4/7) TREKKER - 12 OPEN MALE - 8 OPEN FEMALE - 6 MEN'S MASTERS - 6 KINDER-SPRINT - 3 VOLUNTEERS - 3 FRIENDS / DONORS - 3 CLYDESDALE - 2
																																	THE FAVORITES      While both five-time race winner Jason Fiegl, and two-time defending women's champion Sheila Mulherin are missing from the early registration, experts believe that at least one of them will be on hand come race day.  However, as two-time winner Greg Henderson pointed out, "With shifts in divisions; the influx of some new faces; the return to form of some past champions; as well as the experience gained by some 2nd and 3rd year racers, every division will be up for grabs."
			Fiegl still contemplating a run at "Janny" #6 in 2009.
						While official predictions are not due out for a few weeks, it is not hard to get a feel of what the competition will be like.  Here is a divisional breakdown, based on current registrants, as well as projected participants.
																																		OPEN MALE: 5-time division winner Jim Kobak has turned 40 and has jumped into the Masters group.  Fiegl is expected to enter the race, but he will be pushed by youngsters Alec Bohn and Jacob Gittler, as well as Jason Metakis, who has eight top-3 finishes, with no wins. Don't count out:  Mark Corell, Cole Starkey, Euan Reid. OPEN FEMALE: Deborah Nordyke challenged for the "Janny" in 2006 and returns to the race, where she is the heavy favorite in the division. Should either of the Disney Twins enter, they could make a race of it.  Vermonters Steph Konowitz and Steph Lylis will also contend for medals. Unkown Commodities:  Diana Timko, Rebecca Blum, Lauren Glickman. MEN'S MASTERS: Kobak takes this in a walk, relegating former division champions Tom Lynch, Tim Singer and Jerry Ross to "also-ran" status.  Kobak could also become the first racer outside of open male to capture the "Janny".  Other Medal Contenders:  Erik Zimmerman, George Disney, Don Stauffer WOMEN'S MASTERS: Past Champions Eileen Sofield Leone and Susan Trzaskos are expected to enter, and battle for the crown. Past runner-ups Augusta Wilson and Marianne Perreault are also expected to podium.  Dark Horse Pick: Pam Gonzalez CLYDESDALE: In 2008, Ben Stanley set records for best time, as well as best "net" time for the division.  Reports are coming in that Stanley is down to a lean 173 pounds, so the Clydesdale race should be between division stalwarts Ken Ryba, Rob Mercado and Ken Herz.  Other Favorites (if they're heavy enough):  Matt Elliott, Dale Wells. KINDER-SPRINT: The Kid's fun-run up Pok-O has become competitive in recent years.  Division record holder Joe Zimmerman will be trekking the entire course in 2009 (at age 9), leaving the door open for past medalists Alec Gonzalez, Nora Canning and Liam Leone. Kid's to Look Out For:  Luke Moffett, Katrine Schreiner, Brooke Taptick. TREKKER: As everyone knows, this is not a race.  Last year's fastest trekkers Brandi Bornt and Chris Bell are expected to race in 2009. Look for Andrew Spaulding or Fiona Dubuss to break the tape first. Long Shot Selections:  Sue Agostino, Dan Delaney
										Will Moscato race for the Janny, or guide Sierra along the course?
							In '09, will Dana and Fi Race, Trek or drink?.
									Metakis is back, and hungry for the elusive title.
																																										REGISTER for the 2009 Patch Sprint See Breaking News Go To Patch Sprint Home Page
		Wanda looking to become the fourth canine to do Patch in a Day.