Gathering Potatoes

At the annual Puzzlarria picnic, there is lots of fun and games.
Scenario:
A basket, large enough to hold 100 potatoes is placed on the ground. Beginning 10 feet from the basket, and in a straight line, a potato is placed every 10 feet ... a total of 100 potatoes. A prize, of a night of free beverages at the Puzzlaria Tavern, is offered to the FIRST person who correctly answers the question:

If a person gathers all the potatoes, one at a time, and places them in the basket, how far would he or she travel? (for clarity, each potato gathered must be placed in the basket before gathering another)

Game:
Ross and Curtis were selected in a random drawing to participate in the POTATO GATHERING CONTEST. Because Ross is 2.04% faster than Curtis, he offers to allow Curtis to gather one potato and drop it in the basket before he begins to gather. For clarity, Ross will have to gather 50 potatoes before Curtis can gather his remaining 49. The results of the race will vary depending on which first potato Curtis gathers and places in the basket.

Which potato should Curtis gather first to increase his chance of winning, and if he chooses correctly, by how much would he win? (for clarity, each potato gathered must be placed in the basket before gathering another ... and there is only one line of 100 potatoes, 10 feet apart ... so each participant is gathering from the same line of potatoes)