Some of the Northeast's most decorated adventure racers battled for the top three spots at the 2018 Pond Sprint, held over Columbus Day weekend in Willsboro, NY.

Jan Wellford and Liam Davis ran the entire 12.5-mile race together, apparently not too hard as many observers heard them in non-stop relaxed conversation, but hard enough to tie for the victory in a record time of 1:34:40.  

The pair, both representing Team BEAST, finished on the podium earlier this year at the Patch Sprint, ending up in second and third behind another elite runner, Ryan Atkins.  For Davis, one year removed from a knee injury, this was the culmination of a sensational racing season, which included a victory in the Whiteface Sky Run, along with top-5 finishes in the prestigious Wasatch 100, Great Adirondack Trail Run, and Manitou's Revenge, a race that Wellford has won in the past. 

Sarah Keyes, of Team LaSportiva, ended up third overall, seven minutes behind the winners, but easily taking the women's overall. A multi-time vertical and ultra distance race champion, and female record holder of the fastest known time (6:37:49) for the Great Range traverse, Keyes was competing for the first time in either the Pond Sprint or Patch Sprint.  "Beautiful course, lots of fun!"

Andrew Gonzales was the only other racer to finish under two hours, followed by Tom Reinckens, Ryan Fagen, John Rayburn and Katie Moffett.

In addition, eleven others successfully finished the shorter, just-as-scenic, Pond Hike course.

Our congratulations and thanks to all who raced, hiked and donated, as well as the group of volunteers who helped with the timing, road and aid assistance, cooking, and course set-up/cleanup.

A special thanks to Pok-O-MacCready Camps, and Highland Forest, LLC for the use of their land.

                            FULL RESULTS and PHOTO GALLERY HERE

It's exactly what the blog headline says:  Win the 2018 Pond Sprint, and get into next year's Patch Sprint for free- essentially a $50 first place prize!

With the Patch Sprint selling out early every year," said event organizer Tim Singer, "we have always given the Pond Sprint winners guaranteed entry.  Now we're taking that a step further, by granting them a place for free.  It's the least we can do for such accomplished runners who are dedicated to our races and beneficiaries."

The 2018 Pond Sprint is set for October 6. The 2017 champions were Jeremy Drowne and Mackenzie Young (below).

Pond Sprint and Pond Hike proceeds will support two not-for-profit organizations:  Adirondack Scholarship Foundation, and the Long Pond Conservancy program of Champlain Area Trails.

The mission of Adirondack Scholarship Foundation is to provide financial aid to children attending summer camp; proceeds from POND SPRINT will be specifically earmarked towards sending a local child (Essex or Clinton County, New York) to a summer camp.

Long Pond Conservancy is a program of Champlain Area Trails, with a mission “to preserve the wild nature of Long Pond and its watershed by protecting the clean water and forest that surround it. Working with landowners, we seek to balance use with the conservation of scenic vistas, natural areas, and forest and lake ecologies.”

Your entire fee, less goods received and event services (amount to be determined) will be a shared donation to the Adirondack Scholarship Foundation and the Long Pond Conservancy program, for which you will be issued a tax-deductible receipt.  

Sign up quickly or be shut out!

Registration is under way for the 2018 running (and hiking) of the POND SPRINT fund raising race.  The race is scheduled for: 

Saturday, October 6, at 10:00am.

POND SPRINT is derived from the former BARASU race, which was staged in 2014.  A new course was put into place in 2015, which remains.

 "This event was designed as a supplemental race to the Patch Sprint" said Tim Singer, director of Adirondack Scholarship Foundation.  "Each year, the Patch closes out at 180 participants.  As that is largely a reunion/invitational event, we offer the Pond Sprint as both an additional fund raiser, and a chance to open to the public, as well as hardcore adventure racers"

Singer will serve as race director, while Sharp Swan, co-founder of Long Pond Conservancy, will manage the details of the event, which will feature the race, a shorter hike over a modified course, and a post race picnic.  "This is the perfect time to be in the Adirondacks, with perfect temperatures and colorful foliage," said Swan.  "We're hoping for a great turnout of racers, hikers and volunteers."

Race fees ($50 for racers, $30 for hikers, free for volunteers) will be used to cover expenses with all extra profits going to the Adirondack Scholarship Foundation and Long Pond Conservancy program of Champlain Area Trails.

Read more about the 2018 event HERE

2015 Pond Sprint winner Jeremy Drowne held off defending champion Jason Fiegl to take the win in the 2017 edition of the mountain and trail race, held October 7.

Drowne (West Chazy, NY) used his strength on the lengthy level running portions of the course to open up on Fiegl.  "He is amazing on the descents," exclaimed Drowne, about Fiegl blowing by him on the way down Sugarloaf.  "I knew I needed to open up a big lead before Rattlesnake, if I was going to hold him off."

Now a two-time Pond Sprint champion, Drowne has his sights set on next May's Patch Sprint, where he has twice finished in the Top-7, but yet to contend for the title.  "That's a goal; I feel like I'm starting to get a bit better going down these mountains."  2016 runner-up Kyle Smith finished 3rd.  

​Macky Young (Stowe, VT) was the youngest runner in the field in capturing the women's race.  The standout skier, mountain biker and soccer player doesn't run many races but, "it wasn't really as bad as I thought it might be."  

By winning the Pond Sprint, both Young and Drowne move to the front of the line, as automatic invites to the 2018 Patch Sprint, a race that traditionally sells out by late winter.

In addition to the runners, a group of hikers - ranging in age from 20 to 74 - also enjoyed the scenic course up and over Rattlesnake mountain, and along Long Pond.

Once again, the Pond Sprint served as a fundraiser, with over $500 raised to support Long Pond Conservancy, and Adirondack Scholarship Foundation.  Many thanks to all of the participants, especially the volunteers at the summits, aid stations, road crossings, post-race barbecue, and marking/sweeping the course!

               CLICK HERE FOR 2017 POND SPRINT RESULTS & PHOTO GALLERY

Willsboro, October 8--  Six-time Patch Sprint champion Jason Fiegl staved off a consistent challenge from Kyle Smith, to capture the 2016 edition of the Pond Sprint adventure race.

The race, held annually on Columbus Day weekend, helps raise funds for two separate foundation:  Adirondack Scholarship and Long Pond Conservancy.  Over $1000 was raised.

​In perfect, cool conditions, Fiegl cruised out to the early lead, but Smith reeled him in several times throughout the 12-mile, two mountain course.  "I wanted to keep him honest," joked the runner-up.  The overall margin of victory was just over three minutes.  "It was a beautiful day, with the colors, the weather and the course," said the champion.  (SEE FULL RESULTS)

In finishing third overall, Rosanne VanDorn claimed the women's title in easy fashion, with Kate Ritter ending up second.  "I will definitely be back next year," said VanDorn, a top-ranked regional cyclist.

​Aside from the racing, a hearty group of fall foliage seeking recreational hikers (ranging in age from 15 to 73) took part in the Pond Hike, while close to a dozen volunteers contributed their time and enthusiasm to helping the event succeed.