In anticipation for the upcoming Patch Sprint, scheduled for May 29, racers and trekkers- ranging from hard core contenders to fun participants- have been competing in a wide range of pre-Patch events.  While we have not been able to track down all results, here are a few reports from recent races:

In Arizona:  Ben Stanley has won the 106th Annual Patch Sprintizona in the Phoenix Mountains/Piestewa Peak area.  Please see attached maps for the route and race details, none of which include the actual mountains climbed.  The champion reports:  “At the risk of a jinx, I think I may be in my best shape yet going in to the race.  I'm down about 20 pounds from two years ago, and for the first time I've been consistently running/hiking the length of the sprint each month. I'm aiming at my best time, and we'll see what happens.  I finally won a Patch Sprint(izona)!”  Stanley was the lone entrant as well as race director for the event.

In Boston:  Former camp riding instructor and first time Patch Sprinter Ellie Madden (left) completed her second Boston Marathon, in a time of four hours, 21 minutes.  Madden qualified for Boston with a 3:50 at the Bay State Marathon.  She’s favored to capture the women’s masters division.

In Plattsburgh:  Two-time Patch men’s masters winner Jerry Ross clocked a time of 1:36:49, good for 24th overall out of over 700 racers at the inaugural Plattsburgh half-marathon.  The 59-year old ageless wonder will once again post a top-10 result at the Patch.

Other achievements of note:  Eric Bauer (Trekker) is a winter 46er; Jacob Gittler (Men’s Open) completed his NOLS course and volunteers Sheila McIntyre and Mary O’Leary have been preparing for the sherpa duties by taking regular hikes up small Vermont hills.