With ever-changing topography, trail re-routing, logging and unpredictable weather, the traditional Patch course has changed many times in the past 34 years.

"While we would love to give all racers the option to devise their own favorable and fast route," said co-founder Tim Singer, "our top priorities are to a) Respect the environment, b) respect the land owners and, c) make the competition safe!"

Furthermore, during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the need to be socially distant as well as adapt to sudden event modifications has never been more urgent. Therefore, the following portions of the course will be mandated for Patch Sprint:

BARE:  Due to excessive logging on private land, this course will be altered somewhat from past years. Please stay on the marked course following the traditional Orange arrows.

RATTLESNAKE:  Racers and trekkers must pass by the 1812 homestead both to and from the mountain.  The Rattelsnake trail may still be closed to the public so PLEASE DO NOT invite friends to meet you.

Failure to follow the mandated portions of the course will lead to disqualification.  "It's a longer course, 13.5 miles," said Singer, "but by sticking to the route, it will be a safer, and more fair and enjoyable experience."

Saturday, August 22-
  6:30- Check-in & Packet Pickup at POK-O QUEEN. A Grab & Go dinner or snack pack will be offered.
  7:00-9:20  STAGGERED RACER, TREKKER & HALF-SPRINT starts at Camp Pok-O Pillars (schedule will be released prior to race day)
10:00- Kinder Sprint Start at base of Pok-O-Moonshine
10:30-1:00-  Finish at summit of Pok-O-Moonshine
12:00-2:00 - Snacks & spirits at the Pok-O South End Lot Cantina
12:30-3:00- Shuttle rides may be available from South Pok-O lot, back to camp. (*not guaranteed, please make arrangements)
 4:00pm-   Socially distant BBQ and Awards at POK-O QUEEN (or outdoor picnic)
  6:30-  Participant gathering at Ausable Brewing Company, Keeseville.

Assigned Lodging at Pok-O-MacCready Camps for all  participants who requested

With four weeks to go until the re-scheduled Patch Sprint, the modified event has sold out for racers and trekkers. 2020 marks the 9th time in 10 years that the event has sold out.

   Registration remains open for volunteers, Kindersprint, and Half-Sprint.  A waiting list has been instituted for the racing and trekking divisions.

​   "We'd love to be able to stage our usual event," said event co-director Tim Singer, "but the COVID-19 pandemic has placed strict regulations on both our attendance and activities."

                                   CLICK HERE to see changes for 2020, due to the pandemic

RACE COURSE:  As of now, the race course is unchanged from the past several years.  Should a portion of the course be closed, a change will be made to attempt to keep as close as possible to the standard distance.
 
There will be NO SCHEDULED VAN SHUTTLE SERVICE from the finish, back to the start.  Please make your own arrangements.  We apologize for this inconvenience. If we end up having volunteers who are willing to shuttle with their personal vehicles, we will let everyone know.
 
AID STATIONS:  There will be three aid stations along the course (instead of the usual four).  Only water and gels will be offered.  While attendants will be at the stations to offer verbal reminders and assistance, aid supplies will be on a help-yourself basis only.
 
RACE STARTS:  The 2020 Patch Sprint race & trek will have a staggered start format, with small groups going off every 10 minutes.  Your originally requested start time will be taken into account when scheduling, and you will receive your start assignment during the week prior to the event. FACE MASKS must be worn until you start.  Please put the mask in your pocket while covering the course, so that you have it available upon pausing, or finishing.
 
LODGING:  As of now, housing is available at Pok-O-MacCready Camps ONLY for those who have previously registered and requested.  Additional housing may become available but, as of now, there is no vacancy.  GUESTS CANNOT SHARE BATHROOMS with people outside of their own family unit.
 
MEALS:  The Saturday afternoon post-race barbecue and awards ceremony will be held at Pok-O-MacCready Camps.  As of now, the Friday pasta dinner and Saturday morning continental breakfast are cancelled.  However, all participants will receive either a grab & go meal, or a snack bag, when they check-in and pick up their event packet.
 
ELIGIBILITY: Patch Sprint participants coming from areas on New York’s restricted list, as of August 8, will not be allowed to attend, unless they have quarantined for 14 days.  The race committee reserves the right to reject any participant.
 
OTHER RESTRICTIONS:  Face masks must be worn at all times other than while running or trekking the course… Unfortunately, unregistered guests are not allowed. Please ask your friends to meet you following the event, not on course or at the start/finish lines.... Please keep your distance while passing on the course, and at all other times throughout the event.

Dear Patch Sprint Participants:

The 2020 Patch Sprint has been rescheduled for:  Saturday, August 22.

This date was reached in consultation with Pok-O-MacCready Camps; the DEC; and several event participants.

We truly hope that everything will happen as planned, BUT please note that the rescheduled event is fully dependent upon the status of the Covid-19 pandemic, and may result in:

• The modification or elimination of lodging, meals and aid stations
• A change in the course route, based upon access restrictions
• The possibility of staggered individual, or small group starts
• The cancellation of the event

If you have already registered and paid for the 2020 Patch Sprint, we ask you to PLEASE STATE YOUR INTENTIONS for the rescheduled event by filling out THIS SHORT SURVEY.

If you haven't yet signed up, you can REGISTER NOW!

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions and concerns.

Hoping to see you later this summer!!!!

From Central Park to the Pacific Coast, several dozen enthusiastic runners & hikers took part in Saturday's "Personal Patch Sprint". Most enjoyed great weather; all showcased creative routes. Congratulations to everybody-- see you later this summer (we hope) for the real deal!

                               SEE A FULL GALLERY HERE

It is with great sadness that we announce the postponement of the 2020 Patch Sprint, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The event will be moved to a weekend to be announced, later this year.

Said Tim Singer, event co-founder:  "We had held out hope that, given the nature of our small, outdoor event, we could go on, as scheduled.  However, the ongoing nature of the pandemic has nullified that hope.  The New York State DEC is currently not accepting applications for public land use for events.  Even if things do improve, we need to consider several factors, including: the number of out-of-area participants... the fact that the event is based at a summer camp... and to prevent placing a burden on already popular trails on Rattlesnake and Pok-O." 

Said Brian DeGroat, event co-director:  "Even had we been able to move forward with the race, it was almost

   The annual BEAST training series has been cancelled for 2020.  "We had hoped to be able to do it," said event co-organizer Steph Lylis, "and have people running at a distance and bring-your-own meals but, the way things are unfolding now, it just doesn't make any sense."

   The BEAST series - a social training lead up to the annual Patch Sprint - has been taking place since 2011, and consists of group runs and hikes along the Patch Sprint course, along with a weekly potluck dinner.

   As exercising outdoors remains one of the few permissible activities amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, participants are still encouraged to hit the Patch Sprint course, or some other training ground either solo, or in a small group. 

"If you're still planning to do a BEAST-type workout, feel free to let others know, to whatever extent you're comfortable with" said Lylis, "but please be careful, and practice the health guidelines that have been laid down for your area."

Dear Patch Sprint registered or potential participants,

We know many of you have questions about how the Coronavirus 19 (COVID - 19) - which has led to the cancellation of many events throughout the world - will affect the 2020 Patch Sprint.

Our policy is that, over the next several weeks, we will closely monitor the situation regarding COVID.  It is our hope that this event can go on as scheduled on May 23; however, the health and safety of our participants will be the primary objective in making a final decision.  Given that, we are working on several preliminary options: (hit the READ MORE) link