Saturday, May 29-
  6:30- Check-in & Packet Pickup at POK-O QUEEN. Check-in table may move to race start (weather permitting)
6:45-8:45: Continental breakfast for all who signed up.
7:15- TREKKERS Start starts at Camp Pok-O Pillars (self-starters may begin any time earlier)
8:00- RUNNERS Start at Camp Pok-O Pillars
8:30- HALF-SPRINT Start at Camp Pok-O Pillars
9:00- ELITE RACERS Start at Camp Pok-O Pillars
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
12:30-2:30- Shuttle rides may be available from South Pok-O lot, back to camp.
 4:00pm-   Socially distant BBQ and Awards at POK-O QUEEN (or outdoor picnic)
  6:00pm-  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 Patch Sprint, the event has sold out for racers and trekkers. 2021 marks the 10th time in 11 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 have unlimited sign-ups," said event co-director Tim Singer, "but logistics, environmental concerns, and both the DEC and CDC have placed  regulations on our attendance and activities."

                                   CLICK HERE to sign up as a volunteer, half-sprinter or Kindersprinter

Attention Patch Sprint Racers and Trekkers:

   As training season kicks in, and you want to take on portions of the course, please keep in mind that the logging trails on Bare Mountain are private property, and off limits to everyone. These are the trails that lead down Bare, to the Homestead.

The land owners have granted access for race morning only; should we violate the request to stay off of the property at other times, they may revoke all access, including for the race.

The standard hiking trail up the mountain is still open for use; please travel up and down this route during your training.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Willsboro, NY-- On the final weekend of eligibility for winter Patch Sprint status, five elite racers successfully covered the course, headlined by local runner Pandora Down, who crushed the former women's winter course record.

Down, guided by three-time Patch Sprint champion Cole Starkey, covered the four mountain, 13.6-mile route in a tie of 3:05:04, some 90 minutes faster than the previous mark.  For Starkey, this was his third winter title, to go along with three in the main event.

The previous day, all-time Patch Sprint champion Jason Fiegl (combined 15 summer and winter titles) led two winter rookies - Derek Payne and Ryan Campagna (left)- to a finish time of 3:43:48. "Really fun, beautiful day," Fiegl said of the sunny and mild weekend conditions.

Despite the fact that the 2021 vernal equinox occurred early on the morning of March 20, winter Patch rules state that any successfully recorded and reported effort between December 21 and March 21 is recognized.

                                            Honoring the History of the Fabled Patch Training Series

      To celebrate our "at least ten-year anniversary" of the BEAST (Best Ever Awesome Sprint Training) run-hike-training series, we present "The Best of BEAST".
     Each week, we will revisit one of the past annual themes, incorporating that theme into the training run and, as important, post-training party and feast:.  As in years' past, this, and all other weekly events will be held, rain, snow or shine, and followed by a potluck picnic.

See the details and check out the full schedule HERE.

2021 marks the 35th anniversary of the first successful Pok-O Patch-in-a-day attempt, and 25 years from the first time the mountains were run for speed.  Come celebrate the Patch Sprint's silver anniversary!

Sign up now to take part in PS-21, May 29.  The divisions remain the same from last year.

To sign up, go to our event registration page, which will link you to our registration service. 
 
Prior to registering, please read the event information regarding divisions, start times, weekend schedule and more. 

We encourage you to sign up early in order to secure your spot. Depending on the COVID-19 pandemic, the field of participants may be reduced this year.

Please don't forget to donate to our beneficiary as well-- it's the biggest reason why the event is held!
 
Looking forward to seeing you this May!
 
Spencer, Annie & Skip
Event Coordinators

   With great appreciation, the Patch Sprint is pleased to announce - for 2020 -it has again eclipsed the ten-thousand dollar mark in donation for Adirondack Scholarship Foundation.

"This is incredible, especially considering it was a much smaller field due to the pandemic," said event co-founder and foundation director Tim Singer. "While we are short of last year's record (13-thousand dollars), it's still impressive generosity, given the circumstances."

A total of 59 participants made contributions, along with the Patch Sprint organization kicking in its own bonus gift representing a percentage of the event fees, following expenses.

Adirondack Scholarship Foundation is a not for profit organization, providing financial aid to families in need, to help send children to summer camp.  While camp was not run this year, the foundation is delighted to be able to defer 27 full or partial scholarships for the 2021 camp season

"Our thanks to everyone who took part," said Singer.  "Not only was it a fun day, but it was a beneficial one as well. We've given some children the opportunity to have the summer of their lives next year!

THE CHAMPIONS

Nick Arndt (Winner of the race in a time of 2:02:40):  “When you combine a historically competitive race, with a grassroots venue, on a mix of trails, mountains, and roads that inspire me, I’m all in. Personally, I wanted to see how I stacked up (time-wise) historically to the “ghosts” of the past (most, my friends). I think with a little more competition up front in the later stages of the race, I would have dipped under the 2-hour barrier.

“I really enjoyed the variety of surfaces that the Patch offered up. It keeps things interesting and levels the playing field. Also, it was nice to double-back on a few sections and encourage (and be encouraged) others, sharing in the same suffering.”

Charlotte Winkler (Women’s champion - 2:28:24):  “My favorite part about the Patch Sprint, besides the unique and adventurous course, was the community and the history.  Before, during, and after the race, I met so many wonderful people who welcomed me as a first time Patch Sprint-er.  Learning about the history of the camp and getting to explore a bit before the awards made it obvious why people come back year after year!  Thank you to everyone involved for putting on one of the only races of the year so far - and for doing it seamlessly and safely."

THE NEWCOMER

Mac Guthrie (Boston, MA): “So this was my first race ever, and my first time at Camp Poko. I was initially nervous, but I had no need to be. Everyone was insanely kind, welcoming, and stoked to show me around and tell me all about the camp grounds. You can see the passion for this place and this tradition on people’s faces.  I’m so grateful to all the awesome people I got to hang out with. The trails and the race itself were a blast, but the part I’m coming back for next year is the great community and the good times.”

THE VETERANS:  Why do you keep coming back?

Jason Metakis (20 Patch Sprints) - “For me, Patch Sprint is a great chance to reconnect - with camp, with friends, with nature, and with the Adirondacks.

The race is great motivation to stay active in winter and a good test of where my fitness is in the spring, while the weekend signals the unofficial start of summer (at least in most years).”

Pam Gonzalez (13 consecutive Patch Sprints):  “I asked myself that question yesterday and had three hours and 50 minutes to think about it. The feeling from the Patch Sprint can’t really be properly put into words. There is an energy generated by all the people who participate. The challenge of the Patch Sprint is equally physical and mental. Most of the time I am completely by myself with no one in sight for long periods of time. It keeps me motivated to keep training for another year while I still am able to.”

Jason Fiegl (Record six-time champion):  “At this point, the Sprint is like an old childhood friend that you love getting together with.  I feel incomplete if I don’t get on the course every year, whether it is in the winter, Memorial Day weekend, or just random runs in the woods.  
"There is such a personal relationship with the course that creates comfort and calm.
"Faces change, new runners come and go, but the course is always there to challenge me with whatever goal I have for the year.
"As I age and change, the course ages and changes with me, it has become a lifelong friend that I value.”

Pulling off a race during the COVID-19 pandemic was challenging and could not have happened without our event volunteers:  John, Jaida, Sarah, Joey, Jody, Mauricio, Amy, Squeak, Melanie, Isa, Kelly, David, Tom, Olivia, Erik, Shannon, David, Ali and Augusta. Also, race directors Brian, Skip, Spencer and Greg... Plus, the BEASTS for their help, as always, with marking the course.  And a special thanks to our partners and hosts at Pok-O-MacCready Camps.

At the latest check, Patch participants have again raised over 10-thousand dollars for Adirondack Scholarship Foundation!  

Thanks to everyone! Cross your fingers: We hope to see you on May 29, 2021 for the 25th annual Patch Sprint, or this fall, for the annual Pond Sprint!