ThisSunday, November 26, at 8:00 a.m, meet at the Lewisboro Town Park upper parking lot (see map) when we run a perennial favorite—the Fat Ass Run. Seven miles of trails (with options for longer and shorter distances) is the perfect antidote to the tryptophan-laden butterball from Thanksgiving dinner. The fresh air will wake you up, you’ll feel reinvigorated, plus, as an added bonus, you’ll work up an appetite to help you finish those leftovers still cluttering up your fridge. Anyone interested in getting an early start can arrive at 5:00 a.m. or 7:00 a.m.See map page ››
FRIDAY
This Friday, November 24, at 8:00 a.m., meet at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Meadow Lot when we run a new course that will take us off the reservation—literally. This new course will take us to Richard’s Preserve and Anderson Preserve which abut the west side of the Reservation and offer unique views of the Cross River Reservoir. Total distance is 7.4 miles but you can extend the run many possible ways. If you miss this run, don’t worry, I’ll put this on for a Sunday soon. See map page ››
Hope to see you out there this weekend. Lee Willett
On Sunday, November 12, at 9:00 am., meet at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Meadow Lot, when we run the Third Annual Raven Rocks Run. The race starts in the Meadow — same spot where the Leatherman’s Loop begins. But instead of heading down towards the river as the Loop does, the course climbs up to the highest points in the park, past the old fire tower, before heading back for a downhill and flat finish. If you haven’t registered yet, make sure you do so.See the course map here ››
Hope to see you out there this weekend. Lee WIllett
Sunday, September 24, 9:00 a.m.
This Sunday, meet at Mountain Lakes Park (201 Hawley Road, North Salem, New York 10560), when we race the Sarah Bishop Bushwhack—a challenging 10K (ish) trail race featuring the highest peak in Westchester, Bailey Mountain, and beautiful views of Lookout Point and Hemlock Lake. The weather this weekend should be beautiful and the conditions on Sunday, ideal. Online registration closes at midnight on Thursday night but as long as the race isn’t sold out, we will have same-day registration. Race day registration will be $40 and we ask that you have exact change. Also aim to be in the park before 8:45 a.m. The road will be blocked at 9:00 a.m. for the start of the race so if you’re not there by then, well, you get the picture. If you’re looking to pre-run the course, arrive at 6:15 a.m. for a 6:30 a.m. start and make one last course check before the race.
On Sunday, September 17, 8:00 a.m., run Where the Pavement Ends, a fun and challenging 4-plus miles of sometimes narrow, sometimes hilly, always beautiful trails. It is a great mix of fire road, single track, flats, hills, and one fast downhill section right towards the end. Meet at the Ridgebury School, South Shore Drive, Ridgefield, CT and be ready to run at 8:00 a.m. This is another in the Trail Mix Series of races. Those looking to start early can arrive at 5:00 a.m. with their headlamps and test the trail in the dark. Or arrive at 6:00 a.m. for the last course check before the race. The course is marked with flags but you might want to bring a map of the course. I’ll be at the race but not the pre-runs. And after the run, hang out for a while and if anyone wants to run the course again, I’m sure Geoff would appreciate you picking up flags.
Kudos this week to Paul Fost who completed the Pine Creek 100 mile race in 26:55 and to Peeter Mursepp who finished the Harricana Du Canada 125k in 20:05. I finished the same in 22:56, just making the cutoff. As nice as it is running different trails, I’m looking forward to seeing you all this weekend and catching up.
Hope to see you out there this weekend. Lee Willett
This Sunday, May 21, at 9:45 a.m., meet at Sprain Ridge Park, Yonkers, for the sixth annual A Mild Sprain—the second in the Trail Mix Series of races. Race director David Vogel always makes sure this is a fun and challenging 4.25 mile race so plan on attending. Check-in starts at 8:30 a.m. so come early and hang out before the race. For early risers, meet at 8:00 a.m. for a course check before the race. And hang out afterwards, maybe bring something to eat, and we’ll swap stories about last week’s races.
Speaking of races, big congratulations to everyone who raced at Bear Mountain on Saturday or Sunday and particularly these local runners. You all are amazing.
50M
Charlotte Dequeker, F40-44 age group winner, 11:16:57
John McElroy, M40-44 age group 3rd place, 09:04:51
Virgil Bretz, M45-49 age group winner, 09:13:47
Joe Mokszycki, M60-64 age group winner, 12:27:46
50K
Michele Zandona, F35-39 age group winner, 06:14:30
Todd Henrich, M45-49 age group 4th place, 05:32:15
Half Marathon
Justin Pufahl, M1-19 age group 2nd place, 02:44:23
Paul Pacchiana, M60-64 age group 2nd place, 02:58:22
James (Jimmy) Mcgough, M65+ age group 5th place, 03:28:28
10K
Kirby Mosenthal, Overall Female Winner, 00:52:41
Erin McNally, F35-39 age group 3rd place, 01:05:37
David Isaac, M50-54 age group winner, 00:59:38
NIGHT RUN
On Friday, June 9, at 8:00 p.m., join us at lean-to 5 (Michigan Road) for a night run. Course to be determined but will be around 6 miles. Bring a headlamp and some of your favorite “recovery” food and drink and we’ll hang out by the fire afterwards.
On Sunday, May 15, at 8:45 a.m., join us for a special run at Storm King Art Center. We’ll meet at the entrance to Storm King at 8:45 a.m. for a 9:00 entry into the park which will open early just for us. Tony and Nick Ohnell are working out a course of around six miles through the park which will take us by amazing outdoor sculptures. After the run, hang out and enjoy the artwork and friends—food will be provided courtesy of Nick. Travel time from Katonah is approximately 50 minutes. Families are welcome so please RSVP below to let us know how many are planning on coming.
For those looking to ride share or caravan, meet at the Katonah Woods Bridge Lot before 8:00 a.m. and leave promptly at 8:00.
On Saturday, May 14, at 8:00 a.m., anyone looking for a Saturday run can meet at Ward Pound Ridge Meadow Parking Lot at and run the Meadow to Blue route. I suggest starting up the FH trail and running in a counterclockwise direction so you get the biggest hills out of the way early. Bring your own maps to this one. See the map page here ››
Hope to see you out there this weekend. Lee Willett
And thanks to everyone who came out last weekend for our Mother’s Day run at Blue Mountain and hanging out for coffee at Peekskill Coffee House afterwards. Kathy, we owe you a coffee.
Run the Farm Course Check Sunday, October 11, 8:00 a.m.
This Sunday, October 11, at 8:00 a.m, meet at the Muscoot Farm parking lot (http://goo.gl/maps/dTDiT) for our ONLY course check of the Run the Farm loop. This 5 mile course will start from the parking lot at 8:00 and follow the Run the Farm loop with the exception of finishing in the parking lot. If you’re signed up for the race, you’ll want to come out and test the trail before race day. Just remember, please keep clear of the main farm and farm equipment, and park on the side of the lot away from the farm. Note that the gate won’t be open for a 7:00 run this week, sorry.
Next week we’ll be back in the Reservation for something new. Don’t forget to register for the upcoming fall races: Run The Farm, Sunday, October 25 Raven Rocks Run, Sunday, November 15
Congratulations to Karen, Eric, Matt, and Chris for tracking down Scott Jurek on different portions of the Appalachian Trail on his historic run to set a new course record. I’ve seen a few of the photos and it looks like you all had a great time and I’m sure he appreciated your company. We’ll continue to monitor his progress and if anyone wants to plan a road trip to Maine, maybe we can catch him again.
One of the Sunday Runners, Brian Stempel, is race director for The Church Tavern Biathlon hosted by St. John’s Church in South Salem, NY, (a stone’s throw from The Leatherman’s Loop and Sarah Bishop Bushwhack trail races). While not a trail race, it’s still a fun event and Brian makes sure everyone has a great time.
From the registration page: On Monday September 2, 2013 (Labor Day) St. John’s Episcopal Parish will be hosting the third annual South Salem ‘Church Tavern’ Biathlon. Race start time is 9:30 a.m. and will proceed rain or shine. The Biathlon consists of a 7 mile bike and a 4 mile run. One of the main features of both courses is a steep trip up Church Tavern Road. Registration is now open ››
Did you know? Church Tavern was named after St. John’s Church because the church functioned as a tavern for part of it’s life in the late 1700’s.
A rolling, scenic 3.1 mile run through the charming hamlet of Katonah and the trails of Katonah Memorial Park, followed by a kids’ one-miler and tots’ races. Free race shirt to first 125 registrants.
Street and school parking is limited. Take the complimentary Enterprise shuttle from Commuter Lot 3 at Woods Bridge Road (Rt.117), just a few hundred feet south of Rt.35 (Exit 6 off I684).
The Kids’ One Miler is suggested for ages 7-12. The Tots’ Races are recommended for ages 3-6. Goodie bags to first 100 registered kids. The age categories are not strict. If your 7-year old will be happier running a Tots’ Race, feel free to register her for that instead. Please enter accurate DOB for your child.
Join us on Sunday, June 30, at 4:00 p.m. (rain date July 7) at Westmoreland Sanctuary for our Start-of-Summer Picnic Potluck. Come out and see your friends dressed in “real” clothes in this beautiful wooded preserve. The Sunday Runs gang celebrates summer with a party that does not involve running, but by no means will we stay still. Hike the trails, relax with the group, and have a great time with friends. Kids, friends, significant others are all welcome.
If you are up for a longer challenge, Todd Jennings is directing Rock The Ridge 50 mile endurance challenge at the spectacular Mohonk Preserve on May 4th, 2013. The challenge is open to relay teams, groups, or solo runners. All speeds welcome.
Last year one of our Sunday Run crew, Dave Vogel, started A Mild Sprain in Yonkers, NY to raise money for JDRF. On May 19th, 2013 he’s bringing this tough 4.25 mile trail run through the woods of Sprain Ridge County Park back for a second year.
For a great and constantly updated list of trail races in the tri-state area, look no further than this list from Chris Jaworski of the Essex Running Club. Chris is a die hard trail and ultra runner who has personally sampled many of the trail races he lists.
From Stacy Albanese Bedford Historical Society’s Tribute to Tony Godino and The Leatherman’s Loop
December 4, 2012
I’m writing tonight to say that the Bedford Historical Society is in the early planning stages of organizing a party to be held at Historical Hall the evening of Friday, April 19, 2013 (this year the Loop will be run on Sunday, April 21st) in tribute to Tony Godino to acknowledge his founding of the Leatherman’s Loop and to highlight his lifelong good works dedicated to preserving Bedford’s history.
While plans are still preliminary, the documentary film ‘The Leatherman’s Loop-25 Years’ will be part of the evening’s festivities (though we won’t screen it in its entirety), and in addition, Loop footage will be shown throughout the night; Leatherman historical facts will be on display; someone will wear the Leatherman’s replica costume; the race course 3-D model will be on view; there will be a few key speakers; and of course, plenty of wine, beer, comfort food (code for carbo load!) and merriment.
Please let me know if you have the time/interest to help us plan this event. I can think of no more worthy, nor humble, an individual to honor!
Once I’ve heard back and gotten a sense of who’s interested, I’ll propose a few dates in early January to calendar a committee kick-off meeting at the Bedford Store. Please forward to anyone who might be interested that I’ve missed.
If you’re interested in getting involved in this event, contact Stacy Albanese at stacy.albanese@gmail.com or 914.234.4616.
On Saturday, January 5th, 2013, visit Watchung Reservation in north-central New Jersey for a run through the beautiful Watchung Reservation. This low-key, minimal-support, informal trail run will provide an excellent opportunity to test your mid-winter training.
Four options: 10k, Half Marathon, Marathon or 50K.
50K runners will complete 5 Loops of the Pink Trail
Single-wide and double wide trail over rolling wooded terrain.
When: 8:00 am on January 5th, 2013.Where: Start and Finish at the Loop by the Playground. map
Entry fee: $25 minimum donation – NJ Trail Series will pay for all permits, insurance, aid station food, etc. The cost of $25 per runner is being used as a donation to The Wilson School.
NO SHIRTS, NO AWARDS
Online Registration closes the Wednesday before the race. You will be able to register the day of the race (cash). Visit njtrailseries.com/watchung for more information. A couple from our group are planning to run this and have offered to car pool with others interested in running. If you are, let me know.
5 Mile Cross Country Run November 18, 9:30 a.m.
Camp Simmons, 744 Lake Ave., Greenwich, CT (new date and location)
Plus MAX’S MILE One Mile Kids Run in memory of Maxwell Scotti
Cross country running for the whole family at our favorite venue. Be ready to leap over many hay bales & log jumps!
START/FINISH: Camp Simmons, 744 Lake Ave., Greenwich, CT
REGISTRATION: Pre entry $20 (kids $15) by mail or in person at threads & treads, race day entry $25 (kids $20) starting at 9 a.m. Entries may also be faxed with credit card info to 203-661-0917.
AWARDS: Medals to all finishers in Max’s Mile. Running shoes to the top 3 overall male & female champs in the 5 Mile. Age group awards 14 & under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+. Long Sleeve race t’s to all! Learn more ››
Jul 21 (2019) — Barn-B-Q Trail Festival (2 to 13.1 M run or hike, then party), Watchung Reservation, Berkeley Heights, NJ http://www.barnbqtrailrun.com