New Winter Winner!

2018 Winter Champion (re-creation)

Sean Davis is now officially a dual Patch Sprint Champion.  The 2017, defending race champ has also put in the fastest time for the 2018 Winter Patch Sprint.

​"It's an honor to be the Winter Champion, got one of each now.  I had a blast out there!," said Davis of taking the informal winter title, thanks to an incredible effort in snowy conditions, completing the course in a time of 3:19:46 (details here).  "I went very light on the gear – did the whole thing in just my trail running shoes, no snowshoes or microspikes. It wasn’t too much of an issue, definitely had to fight my way through some deep snow at times but I didn’t have any issues with traction until I hit Pok-O, where the slick trail made for a very slow ascent.

"By the time I hit the summit I was really feeling the cold, I had planned on taking a selfie at the top but my hands were so cold I couldn’t work the phone! The wind was wicked at the summit, once I reached the tower I immediately turned around and booked it back down.  Totally worth it though!"

---

Davis winter title wasn't without a challenge, as his Ragnar Relay teammates Jason Fiegl and Cole Starkey - both former Patch champions (left) - made a course attempt on the final day of winter, with Fiegl finishing in a time of 3:29:03.  Using a reverse course routing, they started on Pok-O and finished on Rattlesnake.  "On the way up the rocks the 3:19 goal passed by on my watch but that didn't bother me," said Fiegl, who continues to hold a share of the winter record. "I was really proud of the run and soon met Cole near the summit and post holed with him to the boulder at summit.  Great day being out with Cole and playing in the woods.  Not everyone is willing to do a winter sprint. It takes a determined slightly off-kilter bunch."

Earlier in the winter, Brian DeGroat and Tim Singer also successfully covered the course, while several other past winter finishers - Stephanie Lylis, Jacob Gittler, Matt Moscato, and Katie Moffett - either did portions of the route, or lended support to the others.  

---