BATTLE OF THE SEXES Dual Atop Pok-O

FIEGL, NORDYKE, LYNCH, LEONE, RYBA, LOUNSBURY CAPTURE DIVISIONS.....      RECORD TURNOUT FOR 2006 PATCH SPRINT.... $2500 RAISED FOR CHARITY

Left- 2006 Patch Sprint Champion Jay Fiegl is spent after summit sprint. Right- Deborah Nordyke displays the MacCready Fitness Trophy

Willsboro, NY--  This was the year that the Patch Sprint literally lived up to its name!      It was written one year ago that 2006 could be the year that the coveted “Janny”- the award for fastest overall time- would be won outside of the men’s open division.  It came just six seconds from happening.      In a classic finish, defending champion Jason Fiegl, 32,  outlasted 1998 Olympian and race rookie Deborah Nordyke, diving across the finish line to capture the overall title in a time of two hours, 19 minutes and 31 seconds.       Fiegl, who had trained hard all year (including setting a winter course record in March) darted out at the start of the race, opening over a one minute lead on the first mountain.  The normally laid back and jovial racer then spent the next two-plus hours focused and forceful.

Nordyke, a Patch Sprint rookie and, at 44, the oldest female racer in the field, caught and briefly passed Fiegl in the final half-mile of the 12 mile, four mountain race.  But on the summit ridge of Mt. Pok-O-Moonshine, Fiegl made a late dash to take the title by six seconds:  the closest solo victory in the 20-year history of the event.  It was Fiegl’s fourth overall title.  “I worked hard for this one,” said Fiegl.  “It was all business up in the front.  The difference may have been the fact that I knew the course better (than Nordyke).  Several times, she was asking about what was coming up next.”      For her part, Nordyke exclaimed the race was “a lot of fun; a great experience!”

CHAMPIONSHIP HUG:  Nordyke and Fiegl embrace following their spirited dual

OPEN MEN’S DIVISION      Consistent, talented and perennial bridesmaids, Jason Metakis and Ben Stanley (left) took 2nd and 3rd place in the division.  The duo each posted personal best times while exchanging places- along with Nordyke- at the front of the group chasing Fiegl.  Metakis and Stanley now have a combined nine top-5 finishes without an overall title.  4-time Champion and course record holder Jim Kobak was 4th; Marc Metakis ended up 5th; 3-time Olympian and first-time Patch Sprinter Curt Schreiner ended up 6th.

OPEN WOMEN’S DIVISION      Nordyke’s effort shattered the women’s course record by over 36 minutes and earned her a standing ovation at the awards banquet.  Meantime, the field was bunched in the race for the other medals, with first-timer Lily Ladd tying two-time champion Elizabeth Disney for second place, both finishing just under the three hour mark (2:59:46).  Alexandra Disney- former course record holer- was 4th..

TOP TEN OVERALL J.Fiegl         2:19:31        M. Metakis     2:34:36 D. Nordyke  2:19:37       C. Schreiner    2:34:56 J. Metakis    2:21:55       M. Daley         2:49:25 B. Stanley    2:24:08        D. Durant       2:49:55 J. Kobak      2:31:12       T. Lynch         2:53:06

A record 14 Racers broke the three hour mark

THE MASTERS      2002 and 2003 champion Tom Lynch held off Tim Singer, the winner the past two years, to take the men's division:  “The best I’ve felt in several years!”  Lynch’s time of 2:53:06 was good for 10th overall, while Singer (2:57:37) extended his record streak of Patch finishes to 12.   SATO moved up one spot from 2005 to finish in the medals, while Dave Mason, David Joelson and John Rayburn rounded out the field.      In the women’s division, Virginian Eileen Sofield Leone (left) put in an impressive debut performance; a debut not only for the runner but for the division as Leone (3:25:44) became the first-ever women’s masters champion.  “I had trained hard for this,” stated Leone.  “We don’t have a lot of hills where I live but I put the Stairmaster to good use.”

CLYDESDALE      When Ken Ryba (right) reached the midway point of the race, at the Pok-O pillars, his net time was zero!  In this division where each racer receives one minute off for each pound exceeding 200, the 292-pound Ryba cruised to the victory, his first.  Rob Mercado (224 lbs.) and Ken Herz (210) each bettered Ryba’s finish time, yet were a distant second and third following the weight handicap.  Brian Wells and Doc Browning also earned top-5 results.

Ryba:  Burning it off; Putting it back in!

2006 Patch Sprint Total Participants:  121

THE KINDER SPRINT      A brief mid-morning rain shower created a major defection in this division.   “I didn’t want to slip in the mud and put a potentially promising racing future in jeopardy,” cautioned 3-year old Sam Anderson.  The eventual field of eight racers was led by Andrew Lounsbury, the 2005 runner-up.  Fellow Vermonter Kylie Edwards (left, with Lounsbury) placed second while brothers Eric and Jon Schreiner tied for third.

TREKKING     Varying in age, gender, size and course tactics, trekkers again made up the largest division.  38 trekkers- aged 14 to 63- hiked solo, in pairs, and in groups as large as eight.  The fastest trekker reached the top of Pok-O-Moonshine in nearly half the time of the final finishers, but all trekkers approached the day with a non-competitive, enjoy-the-scenery, social attitude.  When all was said and done, their accomplishment is no less than that of the sub-2:30 racers.  They covered the entire course of roads, trails, mountains and forests while coping with a few rain showers and more than a few black flies.  “This was a great event,” said first-timer Stephanie Konowitz.  “I worked to get in shape and I’m proud to have finished!”

TALES OF THE TRAIL     For the 2nd time in three years, Matt Moscatto covered the course with daughter Sierra, 5.  Sierra’s triathlon included travel by stroller (right), backpack, and a solo Kindersprint ascent of Pok-O….. Trekkers Byron and Deborah Haynes celebrated their 25th anniversary on the course!.... Former champion Mark Corell, medal contender “Q” and first-timer women’s master Barb Timblin all strayed well off-course and although they did not receive finishing times, all three regrouped to climb Pok-O and join the summit finishing party…. While participants traveled to the event from Kansas, Texas, and Arizona, the award for farthest traveled goes to Chris Bell, who came from England. (“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”)

A SENSE OF HISTORY      2006 marked the 10th anniversary of the debut Patch Sprint race, and the 20th anniversary of the very first “Pok-O-Patch-in-a-Day”.  To commemorate the event, 1986 participants Jody Edwards and “Doc” Browning (left) began this year’s race together, one minute ahead of the rest of the field.  The two pioneers covered the entire course together.

WITH DEEP APPRECIATION     An event that has grown as rapidly as the Patch Sprint cannot succeed without the generous support of volunteers.  With fond gratitude, the 2006 list includes Sandy for the direction; Matt, Mike, Shai, Lauren and George for the summit timing; Tricia and Marianne for the wonderful photography; Sarah, as always, for the aid stations; Jack and Iron Mike for the cooking; Marilyn (right) and Kathleen for the food help; Sharp for the dishes; Meaghan, Scotty, Sheila and Erin for the overall assistance; "Steiny" for lugging up the summit beverages; The Daleys and Hendersons for the parties; and Pok-O-MacCready for hosting.

BECAUSE IT’S A GREAT CAUSE     The Patch Sprint is challenging.  The Patch Sprint is fun.  Mostly, the Patch Sprint helps to give children that same experience of challenge and pleasure in a beautiful setting. Through participant donation, race fees and event raffle, the 2006 Patch Sprint raised $2,500 for the Adirondack Scholarship Foundation, a charity designed to give financially needy children a chance to attend summer camp in the Adirondacks.         Here’s hoping that next year offers up new challenges, added fun, and continued generosity!                                                 See you all on May 26, 2007!

To put an exclamation point on a memorable week, Kristin and Jay Fiegl became the proud parents of Sofia Tate Fiegl,  seven and one-half pounds, born just three days after the race!

SEE FULL RESULTS FOR THE 2006 PATCH SPRINT

More Photos Coming Soon!

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