Fat Ass 50K, Mid-Hudson Version

Staatsburg, NY

Sunday, January 7, 2001



Results courtesy of the Mid-Hudson Road Runners.

Race Report 

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*
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) 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
* women's course record

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