Fat Ass 50K, Mid-Hudson Version

Staatsburg, NY, January 7, 2001

Results courtesy of the Mid-Hudson Road Runners.

Course: Norrie State Park; out-and-back 5km loop, hilly, paved roads; weather: cloudy, temperatures near 30 degrees F.

1. Bob Sweeney (Rye Brook, NY, 33)               3:27:00
2. Russ Hoyer (Vorheesville, NY, 40              3:45:04
3. Wayne McDaniel (LaGrangeville, NY, 41)        3:58:08
4. Jim Lofthouse (Ballston Spa, NY, 45)          4:06:42
5. Stewart Dutfield (Catskill, NY, 45)           4:15:38
6. John Affronti (Esopus, NY, 45)                4:16:02
7. Conni Grace (Hopewell Junction, NY, 37)       4:16:18 *women's course record
8. Ken Klemp (Renssalaer, NY, 43)                4:26:29
9. Martha DeGrazia (Albany, NY, 49)              4:29:40
10. Mark Wilson (Woodstock, NY, 33)              4:40:03
11. Charlie Dermody (Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY, 49) 
     and Tucker Dermody, 6, dog                  4:42:56
12. Jim Sweeney (Monmouth Junction, NJ, 50)      4:46:56
13. Franklin Coles (Milan, NY, 52)               5:07:56
14. Bill Piper (Lehighton, PA, 54)               5:35:31
15. Leo Saposnick (Wappingers Falls, NY, 54)     5:54:40
16. Dick Hoch (Fishers Island, CT, 60)           5:54:59

Two-time USA 100km World Challenge team member Bob Sweeney cruised to victory in the sixth annual Mid-Hudson Road Runners Club Fat Ass 50km race, notching the second-fastest time in race history. Only Brent Backus (3:21:09 in 1997) has run faster on this course.

For the first time in the race's six years, three men cracked the 4-hour barrier. Russ Hoyer was second in 3:45:04 and MHRRC member Wayne McDaniel completed his first ultra in 3:58:08.

Women's winner Conni Grace, also a MHRRC member, crushed the previous course record of 4:44:22, set by Jo-Ann Spinelli in 1997. It was Grace's first foray into ultra running as well.

Charlie Dermody and his trusty canine companion Tucker remain the only ones who have completed all six MHRRC Fat Ass races. Before the start of the race, co-director Larry Phillips presented both with a trophy commemorating their long-running tradition at this race.

- - Pete Colaizzo, MHRRC