WOMEN'S RECORD BROKEN Twins come in under Three Hours Fiegl Completes Winter-Summer Sweep

STANLEY, SINGER, SWAN CAPTURE DIVISIONS.....      RECORD TURNOUT FOR 2005 PATCH SPRINT.... Over $1000 RAISED FOR CHARITY

Left- The Disneys are all smiles en route to course record. 2004 Champion Jim Kobak presents the "Janny" to 2005 Champ Jay Fiegl

Willsboro, NY-- The time is quickly nearing when the "Janny" will be won outside of the Men's Open Division.       The "Janny", the coveted trophy awarded to the fastest overall time was won- for the third time- by Jason Fiegl.  Yet, with a top-three overall coming out of the Clydesdale division, a pair of top-six placings from the ranks of the women, and a top-10 showing from a master, the Patch Sprint has indeed become a chase for all sizes, genders and ages.      Add to the mix a record field of trekkers, volunteers and Kinder Sprinters, and the largest ever Patch Sprint event neared the 100 mark in total participants.

OPEN WOMEN’S DIVISION    The field was larger, and stronger than ever before, but the Disney twins, Alexandra and Elizabeth shook off any threats, pulling away from the field early and smashing their own course record in a time of two hours, fifty six minutes and seven seconds.  As always, the 17 years-olds from Johnstown, NY were humble about their performance, but their mother Sarah gushed, "Not bad when you consider they spend most of their time playing tennis, running track, seeing their boyfriends, playing classical music and preparing to be the valedictorians of their graduating class!"      For the second year in a row, Kelly Sanders finished third, tied with race rookie Kate Durlacher, over 21 minutes behind the twins.  Another first-timer, Cecilia Disney was fifth, 2003 winner Sami Daley ended up sixth while Kathleen Wiley and Floridian Cara Gentry rounded out the most impressive women's field in the history of the race.

Race Director Sandy Solomon presents the "MacCready Fitness Trophy."

OPEN MEN’S DIVISION       In 2001, Jason Fiegl, of Keeseville, NY, had a banner racing campaign.  Not only did he capture the Patch Sprint, but he also set a course record for the Winter Sprint.      2005 was a repeat performance.  Fiegl, broke his own winter course mark in March, and came through with a decisive victory here in the Patch Sprint.  Fiegl (right) had enjoyed a sensational spring training season, but was slowed by minor injuries and family concerns over the final weeks before the race.  Any hope the competition had of catching him was thwarted early, however,as the 30-year old raced uncontested for two hours, 34 minutes and 37 seconds.  It marks his third overall victory.

TOP TEN OVERALL J.Fiegl          2:34:37        E. Disney         2:56:07 M. Daley      2:47:27        A. Disney         2:56:07 B. Stanley     2:49:53        C. Durlacher    2:56:40 M. Metakis   2:50:05        P. Maher          3:00:50 J. Metakis    2:54:50        T. Singer          3:02:55

In fact, the real winner of the day may have been the weather.  Following weeks of cool and damp conditions, race day dawned sunny and warm making things comfortable for spectators and early starters, but resulting in slow times, especially for the top runners.  The winning time was 25 minutes slower than in 2004, and the top ten finishers (left) averaged eight minutes slower than their past previous best times.

One of the few exceptions to that trend was Mike Daley, Jr. of Watertown, MA.  Daley, 29, had a time of 2:47:27, good for second overall and some 25 minutes better than his previous PR.  "I guess I was in pretty good shape," stated a delighted Daley.       Another set of impressive racing twins, Marc and Jason Metakis, finished 3rd and 4th respectively, while local racer Chris Durlacher (5th) was the final runner this year to come in under the three-hour mark.

THE MASTERS     The closest dual in the history of the Patch Sprint unfolded without the participants themselves bearing witness.  Following three hours on the trail, in the end, Tim Singer edged George Disney (right) by a mere 27 seconds.  However, as the two racers chose seperate starting times, it was not until they had reached the summit of Pok-O-Moonshine, did they find out how they had fared in the division. Singer, 46 of Vermont, has now won the division twice.  "I may have been number one, but I sure felt like number two!"      Another two-time division winner, Tom Lynch, finished in third place.  Lynch, along with Singer and Disney have captured eight of the nine masters medals awarded over the past three years. After getting lost early in the race, SATO regrouped to finish fourth, while first-time master John Rayburn enjoyed a much improved time on the way to a top-five showing.

52 and going strong

CLYDESDALE   The division designed for racers over 200 pounds had an added twist for 2005:  Racers received one minute off their time for each pound in excess of 200.  While perennial top finishers Ben Stanley and Phil Maher recorded the top two times, it was Ken Ryba, one hour behind but with 85 pounds/minutes in hand (belly?) who snuck in between them when the net calculations were made.      First-time Patch Sprinter Byron Haynes led the rest of the field which included rotund racers Ken Herz, Chris Bell (who traveled to the race from England), Mike Taptick and Josh Bornt . One clydesdale registrant failed to make weight and was switched in to the open division.

Clydesdale winner Ben Stanley (left) has finished in the top-three overall in each of the past four races.

THE KINDER SPRINT    Sporting race numbers and exuding nervous energy- just like their adult counterparts, nine boys and girls toed the starting line at the base of Mt. Pok-O-Moonshine for the first-ever Kinder Sprint.      Once the kids realized that they could not run all the way up to the top, they fell into their respective race paces, with ten year-old Nathan Swan of Chazy, NY leading the way.      All nine competitors, aged three-10 finsihed, some with the help of their "chaperones", who included, Carrie Howard-Canning, Jody Edwards, Chris Konowitz, Angela Swan, Drew Canning, Karen Lounsbury, Meghan Daley and Bessie Edwards.

TREKKING MASSES     What started in 2001 as an alternative idea with two entrants has become, by far, the largest division in the entire Patch Sprint.  2005 saw a record 24 trekkers, ranging in age from 13 to 66.  Some ran, some walked, all enjoyed a beautiful morning in the Adirondacks.      22 year-old Michael Carch of Bethel CT was the final 2005 Patch Sprinter to reach the summit of Pok-O-Moonshine.  Yet, Carch experienced the same event as all of the 57 to precede him:  rolling hills, pretty waterfront, scenic views, deep forests; a bit of sweat, a lot of stamina and a rewarding experience.

8:00am Trekker Start

And camaraderie.  As Carch approached the summit of his final peak, everyone had left.  (Many had formed search party for the lone racer to not finish.  That racer, as it turned out, had injured an ankle and discontinued). However, two fellow Patch Sprinters- SATO and Marc Metakis, turned around during their descent to usher "Carchie" back UP the mountain, insuring that no man or woman would reach the finish alone.      That, more than results, embodies the spirit of the Patch Sprint.

WITH MANY THANKS     All told, 98 racers, trekkers, volunteers and registered "friends" came to Willsboro, NY to enjoy the recreation, beauty and parties.  Patch Sprint Race Director Sandra Solomon wishes to thank all who part, with special mention to volunteers:  Sharon and Kate (right)for the timing... Shai for the 'snake... Andy for the starts... Tricia for the show.... Marianne for the pictures and everything else.... Those who loaned their trucks.... The Sherpas.... Blue Boar Hell Hockey for the cold summit beverages.... Sharp and the camp staff for cooking, cleaning and housing.... Sarah, George, Jenny and Geoff for all-around assistance.

LOOKING AHEAD    Once again, the dedication of the racers, trekkers and volunteers may have been exceeded only by the generosity of all the participants.  The numbers are still being tabulated, but by all indications, the donations to the Adirondack Scholarship Foundation will exceed $1200.  A final tally will be posted in the near future.  A special recognition goes out to annonymous, whose early $200 dollar donation got the ball rolling..     The 2006 Patch Sprint is slated for Saturday, May 27.  The Patch Sprint Committee is always eager to hear your suggestions on how we can continue to make this ever-growing race, reunion and party bigger and better every year!  Please feel free to contact us at patchsprint@yahoo.com and remember to check the web for race updates, starting late 2005 or early 2006.

2005 Patch Sprint Champions

SEE FULL RESULTS FOR THE 2005 PATCH SPRINT

See 2005 Photo Gallery

Other Patch Sprint News