 “I was jogging along, minding my own business, when a deer came flying right past me!” - Cara Gentry
That deer was Ryan Atkins. The professional racer from Toronto, one of the top-ranked adventure racers in the world, smashed the course record while handily beating the sacred two-hour barrier, easily capturing the 2018 Patch Sprint, held Saturday, May 26. Another first-time Patch Sprinter, Sara Dunham was the women’s winner, as new champions were crowned in five of the six racing divisions. “Yeah I wanted to break two hours, it seemed like a really cool benchmark, but I was just trying to run a solid, steady, even race,” said Atkins, who spends summers in the Adirondacks, but had never been on the Patch Sprint course until three days before the race. “It was super fun. I think the change in the course - from steep and technical, to fast road, to double track, to bushwhacking and back to steep - there’s just so much variance and you are switching gears constantly; it was just fun!” Jan Wellford (Keene, NY), one of seven past champions in the field, edged past Liam Davis (left, Willsboro, NY) in the final half-mile to claim runner-up position; Davis ended up third, while capturing the Clydesdale division for the third straight year. Two-time winner Austin Huneck was fourth, while double Pond Sprint champion Jeremy Drowne took fifth. “There are certain races that for one reason or another hold a special place in my heart. The Patch Sprint is one of these," said Drowne. Hit the READ MORE link for more results, quotes and photos  Get set for a competitive, dramatic, painful sprint to the finish!
"With such an elite field of runners, this year's race is tougher than ever to pick," says oddsmaker Danny Sheridan. "The new, longer, flatter trail up Pok-O will mean running, not hiking the last mile. It's gonna hurt, and victory will go to whoever saved a little bit in the tank." Sheridan, who successfully picked the winner in all four divisions in 2017, predicts that "Even with the longer route and humid conditions,…." CLICK HERE TO SEE FULL STORY, TIME PREDICTIONS & COMMENTS FOR ALL RACERS & TREKKERS Patch Sprint is nearly upon us! By now, you have verified your start time, received your volunteer or race support assignments, as well as your lodging information. Please link to THIS INFORMATIVE DOCUMENT containing news involving:
Looking forward to seeing everyone in a couple of days! FINAL NOTICE FOR THE 2018 PATCH SPRINT   Complimentary housing is available for all Patch Sprint participants who requested lodging on their registration.
All participants who are staying at camp should have already received a housing letter and cabin assignment. If not, please contact us. PATCH SPRINT LODGING AT POK-O-MacCREADY CAMPS CHECK-IN: Is no earlier than 4:30pm Friday CHECK-OUT: Is no later than 9:00am Monday *** *** HOUSING FOR SUNDAY NIGHT IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE POK-O-MacCREADY WORK DAY, SUNDAY. *** Learn more about area lodging options here Like much of the course, the start of the Patch Sprint is at an out-of-the-way location, located at the start of the driveway to Pok-O-MacCready Camps. Set your GPS to: 1391 Reber Road North, Willsboro, NY 12996.
For those without GPS navigation, the location, on Reber Road, is one mile west of NY State 22, two miles north of the town center in Willsboro. See map below. Please do not park on Reber Road; rather, there is a parking area just after turning into the driveway to camp. FOR ALL VOLUNTEERS, AS WELL AS RACERS/TREKKERS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO SUPPORT: Volunteer schedule appears below- please first read this important letter:  Dear Patch Sprint volunteers and participants,
Over the course of the past 22 years, Pok-O-MacCready’s Patch Sprint has grown from a recreational jog amongst friends, to one of the most popular adventure races in the Adirondacks. This growth could not have occurred without the dedication and enthusiasm of our volunteers, and other supporters. Thank you for your willingness to volunteer your services to The Patch Sprint, in our effort to raise money for the ADK Scholarship Foundation. go to READ MORE link for schedule and responsibilities  Is Your Start Time Correct?
The 2018 Patch Sprint will be staged in five waves of racers and trekkers next Saturday morning, May 26:
Please CLICK HERE to verify your start time, as selected during event registration, as well as see the CHAMPIONSHIP REQUIREMENTS and accompanying awards. If you request a change in start time, please Email your request as soon as possible, or comment below. Deadline: Monday, May 21  It's official: The Patch Sprint is now a half-marathon... and then some!
13.3 miles... four mountains... paved roads, dirt roads, driveways, trails and woods. And only so many arrows. Please familiarize yourself with the Patch Sprint course by linking to or downloading a course map. Copies will also be available at Friday night's race expo.  Because of the DEC policy eliminating the Pok-O summit party, there will be very little Sherpa support.
Event officials plan to carry first aid gear and, if conditions warrant, some fluids. Racers are free to solicit a friend, or trekker, to carry gear to the top of Pok-O, but please keep in mind that your stay on the summit will need to be short. Along with the summit timers, race directors Tim and Spencer will be on top. Please honor their request to keep your summit stay short. Shuttle service will be available at the south trailhead of the mountain - the alternate trail by which participants are asked to descend - which is also a good place to have a friend bring a change of clothing. To compensate for the absence of a summit party, the post race awards dinner will be a late afternoon affair, scheduled for 4:30 at Pok-O-MacCready. Later this week we will send out the list of start times for you to confirm. As you plan for race day, please be advised that all summit timers and aid station attendants will be operating on a fixed schedule. CLICK HERE for the "hours of operation", and plan accordingly.
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