LEAD: WHILE traversing a snowy trail on Hamburg Mountain here five years ago, Paul Kattermann of Frankford Township, an avid skier, caught up to the 12 participants in the first Ski-a-thon benefit for the American Cancer Society and its Sussex County chapter.
WHILE traversing a snowy trail on Hamburg Mountain here five years ago, Paul Kattermann of Frankford Township, an avid skier, caught up to the 12 participants in the first Ski-a-thon benefit for the American Cancer Society and its Sussex County chapter.
With a spirit similar to that of his grandfather, who had successfully battled cancer, Mr. Kattermann, now 28 years old, joined the fund-raisers on the slopes that very afternoon.
Since then, the Sussex County chapter's volunteers have come to regard him as a kind of king-of-the-mountain in the event, in which each year he has personally raised as much as $3,000 of the annual goal of $15,000. Mr. Kattermann has become an organizer of and top recruiter for the event, which draws as many as 300 participants from New Jersey and other Eastern states.
Mr. Kattermann plans to ski 60 or more runs in this year's Ski-a-thon, which is scheduled to begin at the Hidden Valley Ski Area here at 8 A.M. Jan. 20 and continue without a break until 9 P.M. Jan. 21. Friends Sign Up
''My grandfather lived through cancer,'' Mr. Kattermann said. ''One of the greatest things about skiing in the Ski-a-thon is raising money for people with cancer who are going to live because now there are cures for certain types of cancer.''
Mr. Kattermann, an electrical contractor in Sussex, has persuaded business associates, hunting companions and friends to sign up for the event. Mr. Kattermann's wife, JoEllen, a physical therapist, is employed by a health-care contractor to care for hospice patients. She regularly skis in the fund-raising event.
''The Ski-a-thon is modeled after a walk-a-thon, but it's not as easy to get participants because they have to be experienced skiers,'' Mr. Kattermann said.
Marge Yakstis, executive director of the American Cancer Society's Sussex chapter, said that 50 percent of the proceeds would be used to finance public education efforts and patient services in Sussex County, 10 percent would be for administrative costs and the remaining 40 percent would go toward national cancer research.
She said the latest state cancer statistics from the New Jersey Department of Health's Tumor Registry showed that in the 1981-82 fiscal year, the incidence of cancer per 100,000 people was 339.68 for women and 430.95 for men. The statistics also showed there were 489 new cancer cases in Sussex County that year and indicated that the county's cancer rate was 463.55 among men and 462.86 among women. Competitive Races Included
''Almost every individual knows someone affected by cancer,'' Mr. Kattermann said. ''Officials here at the Vernon Valley Earth Station contributed $900 annually in memory of an employee who died from cancer. This year's Ski-a-thon has special significance to Hidden Valley Ski officials because one of their staff members has just been diagnosed as having the illness.''
For Joni Hamilton of Branchville, the Ski-a-thon chairman, and Al Stepongzi, her husband, their participation and that of their two nieces, Donna Langeraap, 15, and her sister, Tina, 13, both from Sparta, is in memory of Mr. Stepongzi's father, a cancer victim.
Ms. Hamilton said this year's activities would include competitive races, for which top prizes will be season passes to the Hidden Valley Ski Area. The Ski-a-thon registration fee is $25, payable at the Sussex County chapter's office at 100 Main Street, Newton. Each skier is required to raise $75 in donations or pledges.
''During the night, there are no long lift lines because the resort is closed to other patrons,'' Ms. Hamilton said. ''We keep skiing and log in more runs in less time. When you're doing a marathon, you get some real camaraderie with other skiers and also compete with some of them.'' 110-Run Record
She recalled that a few years ago, two teen-age skiers had fiercely competed with a middle-aged man and that the competitors pushed to outdo each other during the all-night marathon.
''They kept each other going,'' Ms. Hamilton said. ''The older guy would stop for hot chocolate or a 10-minute catnap and the kids would follow suit. He'd go out and they would go out. The teen-agers finally beat the older skier by one run.''
John Mannion, 34, of Newton holds the record for the most runs, 110, in the event. He said he achieved that record in 1987 by nearly nonstop skiing, from 9 A.M. the first day until 1:15 the following afternoon.
He said he made 10-minute stops for coffee and pizza, provided for the event by commercial sponsors.
''I ski to do something for less fortunate individuals in poor health,'' Mr. Mannion said, ''and, particularly, children with illnesses that could shorten their lives.
Jens Kattermann
NEW YORK TIMES
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