​Aware that the “Patch-in-a-Day” concept had been successfully achieved a few times in the past, in 1996, Tim Singer thought it would be a good idea to attempt to better the fastest previous time of six hours, 41 minutes. Singer contacted Outdoor Ed. staffer and summer camp counselor Greg Henderson to discuss setting a new record. In fact, their goal was simple:  To cut the previous best time (6:41) in half. 
 
They did not reveal to others at camp what they were attempting to do, but rather undertook it as a personal challenge.  Aside from a few hikes and runs up Bare, Rattlesnake and Sugarloaf, their endurance training consisted of some late night guitar jamming, and not drinking beer for a few days.
 
On June 1, 1996, Singer and Henderson started off from the 1812 Homestead – which, at the time, was the accepted starting line - and climbed Rattlesnake first.  The day was beautiful, and Henderson led a previously scouted tote road up the northeast ridge of Bare. 

​Back at camp, where they had stored some refueling food (Skittles) and beverages in the mailbox, their run was interrupted by Tommy Reinckens, who was listing a number of good reasons why he should 

On Saturday, Jason Fiegl made history.  Monday, history repeated itself!

Trail running specialist and 2013 Patch Sprint Champion Jan Wellford equaled Fiegl's two-day old winter Patch Sprint record of 2:36:11.  Wellford performed a solo, unsupported effort, leaving his car at the base of Pok-O and doing a 41/2 mile "warm-up" jog back to the pillars, prior to starting the attempt.

The run was done in the late afternoon-early evening  Although the first day of spring for 2016 was on Sunday, March 20, the Patch Sprint observes the same rules as the Adirondack 46ers, recognizing any attempt performed between December 21 and March 21 as a winter effort.

"I'd been thinking about a winter sprint for the last couple of weeks, I'd forgotten that the 21st still counts as winter but when I saw the post about Fiegl's run I got motivated and quickly packed my stuff for an evening attempt.  I parked at Pok-O then ran to the pillars as a warm up, starting the clock at5:51pm."

With clear, cold conditions Saturday, Jason Fiegl shattered his own record for the Winter Patch Sprint, completing the course in a time of 2:36:11.  Fiegl’s 8th Winter title goes along with his record six championships in the regular Patch Sprint race. (See record book HERE)

With one day remaining on the winter racing calendar, it is conceivable, though highly unlikely that Fiegl’s position as 2016 winter champion will be challenged.

“It was a great winter sprint!  We left the pillars around 7:30am with a temperature of 15 degrees. It was nice to run early because mud was frozen in most spots. Made it back to pillars in just over an hour.”  Furthermore, Fiegl took advantage of the warmer, dryer winter, which yielded great course conditions, other than the usual slippery slope on the final mountain.  “I wore micro-spikes up Pok-O from the icy rocks through the chimney and back down.  Pushed hard at the end while cramping, and collapsed under the fire tower just under one hour (from Sugarloaf) for a total time of 2:36:11.”

        Click on READ MORE to see more of this story and find out about other 2016 Winter Sprinters

Wednesdays at 5:00pm beginning April 6, and continuing right up to the Patch Sprint.

Each week KONG will take the BEASTies to different parts of the country to determine which side of the aisle your allegiance lay. BEASTies are encouraged to bring items to share at the post-training tailgate potlucks (anyone know what they eat in Iowa besides corn?).

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6:  BEAST NEW HAMPSHIRE
Meet at the 1812 Homestead... then run the nature trails and head up Rattlesnake. Tailgate featuring cuisine from New Hampshire.

Hit READ MORE link for the remainder of the schedule