In attempt to bolster fund raising, as well as add yet another fun sidelight to the Patch Sprint, event organizers have instituted a betting pool for the 2010 race and trek, sch

Mason will be passing the hat for your charitable donation

eduled for Saturday, May 29.

     A betting booth will be open- for one night only- at Friday night’s race expo and carbo-loading supper.  Interested wagerers will have the chance to bet on a variety of categories including the overall champions; winning Clydesdale net time; age of the Kindersprint champion; finishing times for the youngest and oldest finishing trekkers; total number of finishers under three, and four hours; and other options.
     “The way it will work,” announced long time event fund raising coordinator David Mason, “is people can purchase a wager sheet and fill out their picks in each category.  The person who hits on the most winners, will take home the pot, with a percentage of the take going to the Adirondack Scholarship Foundation.” 
     Bettors will be aided by a “cheat sheet” consisting of race prognosticator Danny Sheridan’s finishing times and order.  When reached for comment, Sheridan remarked, “While I am proud of my historical track record at this event, by no means do I welcome this added pressure.”

     Event organizers mentioned that “while this may not prove to be as funny as the Casino Night horse races, at least you’ll be betting on real people!”  Mason added that Saturday night will again feature a 50-50 raffle, but “it will be scaled down with a few nice prizes and half of the money.  We’re very pleased with the generosity of our participants this year.” 
     To date, the 2010 Patch Sprint participants have pledged nearly eight thousand dollars, to go towards sending children to summer camp.

THE PATCH SPRINT:  AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR BIRD WATCHING

     While taking a training run on Sugarloaf mountain this past weekend, five-time Patch Sprint world champion of the world Jim Kobak had an unexpected encounter with a bird.  Kobak reports:

     “A first for me - I was attacked by a Northern Goshawk while running down Sugarloaf Mt. today. It hit me from behind and cut me in the back of my head with its talons; I didn't see or hear it coming... the bird was about 2' tall. After the attack he perched in a nearby tree and squawked at me.  A little research revealed that these are ‘...aggressive birds that fiercely defend their territories.’ This is true.”   

     Reaction to this viscous  attack was swift.  “Do you have North Country Bird Flu now?” - Brad Strowger. (Donor)..  “One of my greatest fears is being attacked by a bird (think Hitchcock); now I'll need a bodyguard for Patch Sprint.” - Marianne Perreault (Trekker)...  “I'm gonna make friends with that Goshawk so I can pick off people in front of me as I need to.”  - Rebecca Blum (Women’s Open)... “Reaching max heart rate while losing blood is going to be the hot new training technique.” - Marcie Kobak (Women’s Open, victim’s sister)... “Look for me in two weeks screaming down Sugarloaf, waving my arms like a nutjob.”  - Matt Bresler (Men’s Open)... “Are you certain it was real and not remote control? I can think of a few competitors who might have been trying to knock you out of the competition. Anyone know where Jacob Gittler was that day?”  -Erik Zimmerman (Volunteer)... “I admit it, I’m guilty. Sorry Jim, it was really out of line for me to do that.  I just want the ‘Janny’ so bad!”  -Jacob Gittler (Men’s Open).