October 6, Trailside Museum

click for map page
click for map page

Sunday, October 6, 8:00 a.m.
New Meeting Location: Trailside Museum

This Sunday, meet at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Trailside Museum Lot when we run the Meadow Dry Loop. This approximately six-mile course follows much of the Leatherman’s Loop but nixes the water crossings and mud flats. What’s left? Still a challenging and fun run on what will be one of the most colorful days of the year.

For those who are running Paine to Pain, good luck to all of you. If you’d like to car pool, meet at the Lewisboro Town Park lower parking lot at 7:00 and the 684 exit 4 park and ride at 7:15. We’ll see you again next week at Muscoot Farm for one of two course checks of the Run the Farm course.

I hope to see you out there.

Lee Willett

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August 11, Michigan Road Lot

Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Trail Run Map
click for map page

Sunday, August 11, 8:00 a.m.
This Sunday, meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Michigan Road lot when we run a new course—the Green Rock Trail. We’ll start out on the beautiful (and relatively easy) Green trail then transition to the rock trail at the southern portion of the park. We’ll be going down the “stairs” this time which means we’ll have to climb up to Raven Rocks before returning via the Yellow trail. It’s a 6.5 mile mixed bag of wide trails and single path, level ground and hills. Should be a lot of fun. See the map page ›› | Download the PDF ››

Saturday, August 10, 8:00 a.m.
For those interested in a Saturday run, meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Michigan Road lot to run the Michigan to Kimberly Bridge course. It’s always a favorite that we’ll be running soon on a future Sunday.

Registration for the Sarah Bishop Bushwhack is open. Register today ››
Registration for Run The Farm is open so make sure you sign up for that as well.

Hope to see you out there

Lee Willett

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August 4, Trailside Museum

click for map page
click for map page

Sunday, August 4, 8:00 a.m.
This Sunday, meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Trailside Museum when we run a new course—the Museum to Blue 7 miler. While this run is a little longer than most, it doesn’t go over the Fire Tower, up the Overlook, or over Fox Hill. What’s left? Some gorgeous trails like Orange and Blue with some hills in the southern portion of the park. Halfway through, you can pause to enjoy the view from Raven Rocks—always a treat. See the map page ›› | Download the PDF ››

Saturday, August 3, 8:00 a.m.
For those interested in a Saturday run, meet at the Meadow parking lot to run the Meadow, Michigan & Museum course. Your choice whether you want to finish through the meadow or over the river. Both options are available.

Registration for the Sarah Bishop Bushwhack is now open. Register for the race today ››
Registration for Run The Farm is open so make sure you sign up for that as well.

Hope to see you out there

Lee Willett

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July 21, Meadow Parking Lot

click for map page
click for map page

Sunday, July 21, 8:00 a.m.
This Sunday, meet at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Meadow Parking Lot when we run the Meadow to Overlook loop. This is the same route we ran on July 4th and includes a finish at the river. We’ll start from the Meadow lot and pass the Trailside Museum before heading into the southern portion of the reservation and returning via Schoolhouse Road. At the end of the run, you have the option of cooling off by crossing the stream instead of heading over the bridge. Depending on the heat, it might be a refreshing change. I’ll also drop a cooler of water at Michigan Road which is the halfway point of the run.

Saturday, July 20, 8:00 a.m.
If you’re up for a Saturday run, meet at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Meadow Parking Lot to run the Meadow, Michigan and Museum loop. I’d suggest turning left at intersection 46, though, to keep in the shade of the pine forest near the end.

Next Sunday we’ll be at Mountain Lakes Park for a course check of the Sarah Bishop Bushwhack. I hope to see you out there.

Lee Willett

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July 14, Kimberly Bridge

Click for map page ››
Click for map page ››

Sunday, July 14, 8:00 a.m.—Meet at Kimberly Bridge
This Sunday, meet at Kimberly Bridge to run the Trailside to Tower run. We’ll go against the arrows on the map and start up the Blue trail on Fire Tower hill before making our way to the Trailside Museum and Deer Hollow. Should be fun. See the map here ››

Saturday, July 13, 8:00 a.m.
Anyone interested in a Saturday run can meet at Mountain Lakes park for the Sarah Bishop Bushwhack. We’re still fine-tuning the course but this time, go past our usual meeting place (the trailhead to Lookout Point) and turn left at the next road. Follow that past the lake and take the fork to the left. That will lead to our parking place near the pool.

Next week we’ll be meeting at the Meadow Lot. Hope to see you out there.

Lee Willett

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July 7, Michigan Road Lot

WPR_7.5mi_EleanorsEscape
view map page

Sunday, July 7, 8:00 a.m.
Meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Michigan Road lot when we run a new course devised by Eleanor Heppner Hershey and aptly named Eleanor’s Escape. This route combines the best of the Yellow, Red, Blue, and Green trails and includes wide-open paths and single-track hills. Optional photo op at Raven Rocks before heading back by way of Red and Green. I know you’re going to love this one. See Eleanor’s Escape map here ››

Saturday, July 6, 8:00 a.m.
Anyone interested in a Saturday run can meet at Mountain Lakes park for the Sarah Bishop Bushwhack. We’re still fine-tuning the course but this time, go past our usual meeting place (the trailhead to Lookout Point) and turn left at the next road. Follow that past the lake and take the fork to the left. That will lead to our parking place near the pool.

Hope to see you out there.

Lee Willett

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July 4, Meadow Parking Lot

WPR_6.3mi_MeadowOverlook
click for map page

Thursday, July 4, 8:00 a.m.
Join us for a special July 4 run at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation when we run a new route—the Meadow to Overlook loop. We’ll start from the Meadow lot and pass the Trailside Museum before heading into the southern portion of the reservation before returning via Schoolhouse Road. At the end of the run, you have the option of cooling off by crossing the stream instead of heading over the bridge. Depending on the heat, it might be a refreshing change.

I hope to see you out there for this special run.

Lee Willett

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June 30, Meadow Parking Lot

click for map page
click for map page

Sunday,  June 30, 8:00 a.m.
This Sunday, meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Meadow Parking Lot when we run one of our all-time favorite courses—the Fire Tower course. This 10k run takes us down the rocky scramble that’s the yellow trail then up the back side of Fire Tower hill before returning back to the meadow. It’s the perfect run to whet your appetite for the Summer Runs Sunday Pot Luck later in the day.

Don’t forget to to RSVP for our Sunday Runs Pot Luck on June 30 at 4:00 at Westmoreland. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in “real” clothes for a change. The RSVP form lets you know what we need but if you have any questions, you can let me know or contact Annie Bai, our de facto social director (thanks Annie).

Saturday, June 29, 8:00 a.m.
Anyone interested in a Saturday run can meet at the Meadow Parking Lot for the Meadow, Michigan, and Museum loop. It’s hilly, but it’s fun.

Hope to see you out there.

Lee Willett

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June 16, Michigan Road

Click for map page
Click for map page

Sunday, June 16, 8:00 a.m.
This Sunday, we commemorate the one-year anniversary of Rob’s downfall and rise again with this classic run named in his honor—Rob’s Ruin Run. Six miles of trails in the southern portion of the park that take us past the overlook, Bear Rock and Dancing Rock. I’ve posted a new variation of this run that is true to the original plan including the trail egress near the lean-to campsite on Michigan road. .

Saturday, June 15, 8:00 a.m.
While I know it’s only been a few weeks since we last ran the Rock Trail, it’s too fun to miss. If you’re up for a Saturday run, meet at the Michigan Road lot for the 5.5 mile Rock Trail Loop.

Next week, let’s mix things up a bit and head over to Muscoot Farm and check out the 5-mile Run The Farm loop. That’s always fun.

Hope to see you out there.

Lee Willett

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June 9, Michigan Road

Sunday, June 9, 8:00 a.m. Meet at the Michigan Road parking lot in the Pound Ridge Reservation for a very special run. Tony Godino and Dave Cope, two of the founders of the Leatherman’s Loop, are going to send us on an unmapped trail run in the southern portions of the park, reviving trails that were used many years ago but that we’ve not run. They’ll be marking the trail in advance but we won’t have any maps of the course so our fate is completely in their hands. It should be a lot of fun—you won’t want to miss it.

Saturday, June 8, 8:00 a.m.
Meet at the Michigan Road parking lot in the Pound Ridge Reservation for the Michigan to Kimberly 6 mile loop. This is always a fun run and you can choose whether you want to run it clockwise or counterclockwise. The clockwise course puts the steep hill in the center of the run. Counterclockwise lets you save the worst until the end. It’s your call.

Next week we’ll be back at the Michigan road lot again when we follow Rob’s Ruin Run and commemorate the one-year anniversary of Rob’s fall and subsequent return.

Hope to see you out there

Lee Willett

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June 2, Trailside Museum

Click for map page ››
Click for map page ››

Sunday, June 2, 8:00 a.m.
Meet at the Trailside Museum in the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation for the Trailside to Tower 5.8 mile loop. This will come as no surprise that this is a hilly course so get ready for a good workout. While the course starts out at a steady climb, the hills really kick in before miles 2.5 and 4 which makes the rest of the run seem like a walk in the park.

Also on this Sunday is the Running Goddess 5k Race at Lasdon Park. I’ll be helping out there so if you’re at the reservation, bring your own maps.

Saturday, June 1, 8:00 a.m.
Meet at the Trailside Museum for the Museum to Raven Rocks 5.2 mile loop. This is one of my favorite runs which starts out fairly steep and ends on the Orange trail in a gradual down slope.

Next week we’ll be running a very special no-maps course created by Tony Godino and Dave Cope, two of the founders of the Leatherman’s Loop. You won’t want to miss this run.

Hope to see you out there.

Lee Willett

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May 26, Meadow Lot

Click for map page
Click for map page

Sunday, May 26, 8:00 a.m.
Meet at the Meadow Parking Lot when we run a beautiful course that mixes up a little bit of everything—the Meadow to Blue route. It starts out relatively flat with only a gradual incline then at mile 3.5, hello, we switch to single-track pretty steep uphill before tapering back down. It’s a fun course I’ve been wanting to schedule for a while.

Saturday, May 25, 8:00 a.m.
If you’re interested in this Saturday run, meet at the Meadow Lot for the Meadow, Michigan and Museum loop.

Next week we’ll be meeting at the Trailside Museum.

Hope to see you out there.

Lee Willett

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May 19, Lewisboro Town Park

WPR_6.8mi_TownToMichigan
click for map page

This Sunday, May 19, at 8:00, meet at the Lewisboro Town Park upper parking lot when we run the Town to Michigan 6.8 mile loop. We’ll be running this loop in a clockwise direction which passes the trailside museum, Michigan Road and the Meadow before returning home. As I recall, the last time we ran this there was about a foot of snow on the ground. Fortunately, that’s not likely to happen again. I’ll be at A Mild Sprain so bring your own maps.

Sunday is also A Mild Sprain trail race at Sprain Ridge Park. If you’re interested in car pooling, for those in Connecticut and Northern Westchester, meet at the Lewisboro Town Park lower parking lot at 8:00. For those farther south, meet at the 684 exit 4 park and ride at 8:20. Sign in is from 8:30 to 9:30 so that should give us plenty of time. Let me know if you’re interested.

Saturday, May 18, 8:00 a.m.
Anyone interested in an additional run can meet on Saturday at the town park for the Town to Trailside 5.7 mile loop.

Hope to see you out there.

Lee Willett

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May 12, Michigan Road

WPR_5.6mi_MichiganRedRockSunday, May 12, at 8:00
Meet at the Ward Pound Ridge reservation, Michigan Road Lot, when we run a new course—the Michigan, Red and Rock Trail. We’ll start at Michigan Road and take some of the wider paths to the Rock Trail where the course narrows and the hills begin. We’ll go up the stairs to Spy Rock then up more to the overlook before returning to Michigan Road on a nice downhill finish. Lots of hills on this great run. See the map page here ››

Saturday, May 11, 8:00 a.m.
If anyone is interested in an additional Saturday run, meet at Michigan Road for the Michigan to Kimberly 6 mile loop. Follow the path as marked in a clockwise loop including the uphill after Kimberly Bridge. Enjoy. Also, there will be another course check of A Mild Sprain if anyone is interested in checking out the course. If you are and want to car pool, be at the Lewisboro Town Park, lower lot, at 7:20.

Next week is A Mild Sprain at Sprain Ridge Park but for those looking for a run closer to home, meet at the Lewisboro Town Park for the Town to Michigan run.

Hope to see you out there.

Lee Willett

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April 21 Leatherman’s Loop

I look forward to seeing many of you at the Leatherman’s Loop this Sunday. I know we’re expecting a little rain later this week but that should just make the mud flats that much more fun. On the 28th, we’ll be meeting at Mountain Lakes Park for a new version of the course that Mark has set up for us. This time, we’ll be going to the highest point in the park—the highest point in the county, actually. Don’t miss this fun run. I’ll send an update and post the trail map before the event. Have a great race everyone. —Lee Willett

Important notes from the Leatherman’s Loop team

Race organizers Mike Paletta, Tony & Judy Godino, Rob Cummings and the dedicated Leatherman’s Loop volunteers have been working hard to set up this year’s event. All we need is YOU!

Below are some important instructions regarding the Loop. Registration is packed full. We will need your help to ensure that loop day goes smoothly.

Here are some tips that you can incorporate into your plan for the morning and the day:

1.) ARRIVE EARLY! Please plan to arrive at the park before 8:20. Car pool if you can. Traffic will back up considerably at the park entrance as race time approaches. Please be patient. The regular $10 parking fee is incorporated as part of the loop entry fee so entry will go more quickly. It is always wise to arrive earlier than you think you need to in order to make sure you are all set by race start time (9am). This is especially true if it is your first time running the Loop.

2.) DRIVE SLOWLY and CAREFULLY in the Park! Watch the volunteers who are directing the parking. PARK TIGHT! Plan ahead – Car Pool if you can!. For a helpful overview of the race location (parking, start, bib pickup), check the logistics page on the website.

Continue reading

April 14, Meadow Parking Lot

1 Week to Go Before Leatherman’s Loop

click for map page
click for map page

This Sunday, April 14 at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Meadow Parking lot for the final course checks of the Leatherman’s Loop. If you’re running the race this year, this is your last chance to run the course with the group before race day so come out and see the trail for yourself. The water crossings are optional but not the Mud Flats so you might want to bring a second set of shoes to change into. I’m just sayin’.

Next week is the Leatherman’s Loop but in two weeks, we’ll meet at Mountain Lakes Park when we run the 5.7 mile loop and visit the highest point in Westchester.

Hope to see you Sunday.

Lee Willett

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April 7, Meadow Parking Lot

2 Weeks to Go Before Leatherman’s Loop

click for map page
click for map page

This Sunday, April 7 at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Meadow Parking lot for the first of two course checks of the Leatherman’s Loop. If you’re running the race this year, this will be the first of two course checks and a great chance to get out and test the terrain. The water crossings are optional but not the Mud Flats so you might want to bring a second set of shoes to change into. I’m just sayin’.

We’ll be back at the Meadow lot again next week for the final course check.

Hope to see you Sunday.

Lee Willett

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March 31 Meadow Parking Lot

3 Weeks to Go Before Leatherman’s Loop

view map page ››

This week, March 31 at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Meadow Parking Lot when we run the Meadow Northern Loop. This is a 5.7 mile loop that follows some of the same trails as the Leatherman’s Loop run so it’s a perfect opportunity to see what the trail is like. Instead of the wall, we’ll be running up part of the fire tower hill so don’t worry, you’ll get some hill training in.

Hope to see you on Sunday.

Lee Willett

 

March 24 Michigan Road

4 Weeks to Go Before Leatherman’s Loop

Michigan to Kimberly v2
Click for map page

This Sunday, March 24 at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Michigan Road lot when we follow the Michigan Road to Kimberly Bridge route. To keep things interesting, we’re going to run this in a counter-clockwise direction which puts the hill from the Meadow at the end of the run. It also portions of the loop course including the finish line. Great training for the loop. PDF of the trail is available here ››

Next week we’ll be back at the Meadow Parking Lot when we run a variation of the Loop course.

Hope to see you out there.

—Lee Willett, info@sundayruns.org

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March 10 Town Park

6 Weeks to Go Before Leatherman’s Loop

WPR_5.7_TownToTrailside
click for map page ››

With the arrival of more snow, our run from Leonard Park will be postponed again. We will aim for next week but may put it off further if necessary. This Sunday, March 10 at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Lewisboro Town Park upper lot when we run the Town to Trailside Loop. This run will take us into the Reservation through the meadow lot for a brief stint on the road to the Trailside Museum then up part of the Fire Tower Hill before we go down to Kimberly Bridge and back via the DH trail. There are lots of good hills here so it’s good training for the Loop if that’s what you’re thinking.

Next week we’ll try the run from Leonard Park again if conditions permit.

Hope to see you on Sunday.

Lee Willett

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March 3: Trailside Museum

7 Weeks to Go Before Leatherman’s Loop

Click for map page
Click for map page

This Sunday, March 3 at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Ward Pound Reservation Trailside Museum when we run the Trailside to Raven Rocks 6 mile loop. This course will take us over the magic stairs—everybody’s favorite staring climb and a perfect way to tone those muscles you’ll need for the Wall—past Michigan Road to the scenic overlook of Raven Rocks. For those looking to do a smaller loop, follow the red and yellow trail and you can shorten your run significantly.

Next week we’re going to try Leonard Park again and some new trails, hopefully the trails have thawed out a bit.

Lee Willett

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February 24 Meadow Parking Lot

8 Weeks to Go Before Leatherman’s Loop

A last-minute change of plan this week. Because of icy conditions at Butler Sanctuary, we’re going to postpone the Leonard Park run for two weeks to give the trails some time to thaw out. This week, February 24 at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Meadow Parking Lot when we run the Meadow, Michigan, and Museum Loop. This is a 6.15 mile loop starts at the Meadow, goes south over Fox Hill to Michigan Road, then follows Yellow to the Trailside Museum. The second half of the run takes us through the pine forest and back through the meadow—the finish of the Leatherman’s Loop. With the storm on Saturday, I’m not sure what kind of conditions we’ll find but I’ll be there for anyone who wants to run. I checked the trail on Friday and there was a fair amount of ice but the course should avoid any serious water crossings even after a rain.

Next week, plan to meet at the Trailside museum. I’m not sure what trails will be our best bet but we’ll have fun.

Hope to see you on Sunday.

Lee Willett

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February 17 Michigan Road

click to view map page

On Sunday, February 17 at 8:00 am, meet at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation at the Michigan Road parking lot (see map) for a six-mile loop that is designed to take us on some trails we haven’t been on before. We’ll take in the view from the Overlook and follow a new trail the parks department has made over Dancing Rock without having to backtrack. You can view a map of the course here.

Next week, we’ll be starting from Leonard Park in Mount Kisco on the trails of Marsh Sanctuary, Merestead, Butler Sanctuary. It’s an interesting change of pace.

Hope to see you there.

Lee Willett, info@sundayruns.org

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February 10 Lewisboro Town Park

This Sunday, February 10 at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Lewisboro Town Park upper parking lot (see map) when we try out a new and unusual course that tests to see how far south we can go from the Town Park lot. This course is designed to get us south of Michigan Road and back in a narrow, vertical loop of a map. On the way, we’ll pass the Trailside Museum, Michigan Road, and the Meadow lot before we return up the BR trail.

Since there is quite a bit of snow on the trails, we have options to shorten the run to 3 miles, 4.5 miles or 5.5 miles depending on how difficult the going is. And if you want to bring that pair of show shoes you’ve been wanting to try out, now might be a good day. Just sayin’.
See map page ›› | Download PDF ››

Hope to see you Sunday.

Lee Willett

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February 3, Looper Bowl Sunday

Click to view map page

This Sunday, February 3 at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Meadow Parking Lot and rise to the challenge of the second annual Looper Bowl. Follow the loop course, water crossings, mud flats, sand hill and all. Relive the excitement of the Leatherman’s Loop but with the possibility of snow. For those wanting to keep their feet dry, there are optional detours to avoid all the water crossings but, sorry, not the mud flats. You’ll probably want to bring an extra pair of shoes to change into after the run—might be a little, er, muddy.

Next week we’ll be meeting at the Lewisboro Town Park for a the Town to Michigan run.

Hope to see you there this Sunday

Lee Willett

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January 27 Michigan Road

click for map page

This Sunday, January 27 at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Michigan Road lot when we follow a new course from Michigan Road to Kimberly Bridge. This variation of the run cuts across the Meadow parking lot and into the woods at the first bridge. Michigan Road is our traditional starting point for runs in the southern portion of the reservation but this time we’ll run North from the lot to the Meadow, follow some of the Leatherman’s Loop course trail to Kimberly Bridge, then “up” the blue trail and return by way of yellow. There might be a little bit of an incline at mile one and another at mile four so don’t hate your run director—hate the hill. PDF of the trail is available here ››

Next week we’ll be back at the reservation Meadow Parking Lot when we run our second annual Looper Bowl. We’ll be following the Leatherman’s Loop trail in its entirety including the hills, rocks, wall, mud flats and, yes, water crossings (although there are options to go around those).

Hope to see you out there.

—Lee Willett, info@sundayruns.org

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January 20 Trailside Museum

Click for map page ››

On Sunday, January 20 at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Trailside Museum when we run a new course—Trailside to Tower 6 mile loop. For those who did the Town to Tower on January 1, you’re recognize this as a slightly abbreviated version of that challenging run. This time, we meet at the Trailside Museum which puts the fire tower summit in the first third of the run. But don’t think it’s all downhill from there. The brown trail offers it’s own challenge with a climb up to the pine forest and back down again. It’s a great run.

Hope to see you out there.

Lee Willett

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January 6 Michigan Road Lot

view map page ››

Start the new year off right with this classic run. In honor of his return on a regular basis, we’re going to run Rob’s Ruin Run—six miles of trails in the southern portion of the park that take us past the overlook, Bear Rock and Dancing Rock. Usually when we’ve gotten to Rob’s Ruin, we backtrack to intersection 39 but there is a trail that loops back to the RT trail that I’ve marked with a dotted line on the map. It’s more of a deer trail and gets pretty sketchy so only follow that portion if you feel you’re up for an off-trail challenge.

Next week, we’ll be meeting at a new venue—Mountain Lakes Park in Northern Westchester—for a a run on some brand-new trails. Hope to see you out there.

Lee Willett

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January 1, Lewisboro Town Park

Click for map page ››

Looking for a way to start your new year off right? How about a nice 7-mile trail run? This new course is the perfect antidote for that hangover. Breathe in the air, get that heart pounding, and clear your head. Meet at the Lewisboro Town Park upper parking lot on January 1, 8:00 a.m. Oh, and if you’re not up for the full run, there are plenty of options to make it shorter. Visit the map page ››

Lee Willett, info@sundayruns.org

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December 30 Lewisboro Town Park

Click for map page

This Sunday, December 30 at 8:00 a.m, meet at the Lewisboro Town Park upper parking lot (see map) when we revisit our favorite post-holiday route: the Fat Ass Run. This time, we’ll be running it backwards (no, we won’t be running backwards, we’ll be doing the course in reverse). Seven miles of trail running is the perfect antidote to all the indulgence of the holidays. And since this falls just before the new year, it’s the perfect time to make your new years resolutions to come run. For those who don’t want to do the full seven miles, a three-mile course is also an option. Now there’s no excuse not to come out. Download PDF map ››

Next Sunday we’ll be back at the Michigan Road lot when we visit Rob’s Ruin Run. And if anyone is interested, I’ll be at the Meadow Parking Lot on Tuesday, January 1 at 8:00 a.m., to start the new year off right—with a new trail run that will take us to the Fire Tower.

Hope to see you out there.

—Lee Willett, info@sundayruns.org

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December 23 Meadow Parking Lot

Click for map page

On Sunday, December 23 at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Meadow parking lot when we tackle the run you’ve chosen—the Fire Tower run. We’ll start at the Meadow and head southeast and up to the base of the old fire tower. You asked for it, so enjoy.

Next week we’ll be back at the Lewisboro Town Park for another run of the Fat Ass Run. This time, we’ll reverse the direction just to keep it interesting.

Hope to see you out there.

Lee Willett, info@sundayruns.org

December 23 Vote For Your Run

On December 23 at 8:00 a.m., you can decide where we meet. Vote for the run of your choice—the most popular run as voted by Thursday, December 20, at 8:00 p.m. will be the one we do. I’ll announce the winner on Friday for our Sunday run. Vote below.

[poll id=”4″]

Hope to see you this Sunday.

Lee Willett, info@sundayruns.org

 

 

Leatherman’s Loop 2013 Lottery to Open January 10th, 2013

The 27th Running of the Leatherman’s Loop will be on Sunday, April 21, 2013 at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River, NY.

All runner registration will be via Loop Lottery. The Loop Lottery will open at 12:01am Thursday, January 10th, 2013 and close Monday, January 14, 2013 at midnight — 5 full days total. There is no immediate rush to sign up — but don’t wait too long lest you forget! Once it is closed we won’t accept any new lottery entrants.

To sign up, visit the Leatherman’s Loop website during the lottery registration period and there will be links to the registration site. Runners will enter their information into the lottery registration, including a credit card number. Your credit card will not be charged unless you are picked in the Loop Lottery. After the Loop Lottery entry closes on Monday, January 14th we will have the drawing for winners on or just after Monday, January 21st. Lottery winners and losers will be notified via email and winners will be charged the race entry fee (and optional t-shirt cost if ordered). Please understand that there are more runners than spots available. Some folks are bound to be disappointed when they are unable to get in for 2013. We hope everyone gets the reasoning behind the lottery and the course limits.

We have put together a list of frequently asked questions about the Loop Lottery. It addresses questions about group lottery entryduplicate registrations, and other questions you might have. We are interested in making the lottery as simple and hassle-free as possible. We appreciate any feedback or thoughts you have and can share with us. If you have any questions not covered above or in the Loop FAQ or the Loop Lottery FAQ, please get in touch via our contact form, via our email address leathermansloop@gmail.com, or ask your question in the website comments for this note.

Thanks! See you on the trails…

-Mike, Tony, Rob, and the Leatherman Harriers

December 16 Michigan Road

click to view map ››

This Sunday, December 16 at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Michigan Road parking lot when we follow the 6 mile Michigan to Rock Trail run. This was originally scheduled in November but cancelled after hurricane Sandy. We’ll follow some of the less-traveled paths in the reservation, this time going down the stairs for a change. At intersections 25 and 21 we’ll be taking some smaller trails so we’ll visit portions of the park we don’t usually see.

Don’t forget to vote for your choice of run next week.

Hope to see you out there this Sunday.

Lee, info@sundayruns.org

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December 9 Trailside Museum

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This Sunday, December 9, meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Trailside Museum when we follow a new variation on the Museum to Raven Rocks course. We’ll start up the Magic Stairs to Michigan Road, then follow the green and red trails to Raven Rocks.
See map page here ››   Download a PDF map here ››

Next week we’ll be meeting back at the Michigan Avenue lot when we tackle a variation of the Michigan to Rock Trail run.

Hope to see you on Sunday.

Lee

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Post-Thanksgiving Run

Great to see so many faces on the run this Sunday. That run, even with the new off-trail section, is always a favorite. We’ll be doing it again in a few weeks—but in reverse. More on that later. Thanks Rob for the pic of the group.

November 25 Lewisboro Town Park

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This Sunday, November 25 at 8:00 a.m, meet at the Lewisboro Town Park upper parking lot (see map) when we shed some pounds and run a perennial favorite—the Fat Ass Run. Seven miles of trail running 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. For those who don’t want to do the full seven miles, a three-mile course is also an option. Now there’s no excuse not to come out.

Note that this version of the run shows two bushwhacks to circumnavigate fallen trees. After intersection 4, just past the stone wall, there is a bushwhack to the left that parallels a stone wall that will avoid the worst of the damage. Then, just over the bridge at intersection 2, we go truly off-trail. Instead of following the FH trail to your left, turn right and after 50 feet follow the stone wall on your left up the hill. Bushwhack around campsite 7 and rejoin the trail near the road. It’s nothing if not interesting and I promise that until the FH trail is cleared, it’s the best way to get through that section of the park. Download PDF map ››

Next week’s planned run at Westmoreland may be changed pending a course check there. Keep an eye out for details. Hope to see you out there this Sunday.

—Lee Willett, info@sundayruns.org

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November 18 Michigan Road

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This Sunday, November 18, meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Michigan Road lot when we follow a new course from Michigan Road to Kimberly Bridge. Michigan Road is our traditional starting point for runs in the southern portion of the reservation but this time we’ll run North from the lot to the Meadow, follow some of the Leatherman’s Loop course trail to Kimberly Bridge, then “up” the blue trail and return by way of yellow. There might be a little bit of an incline at mile one and another at mile four so don’t hate your run director—hate the hill. PDF of the trail is available here ››

Next week we’ll be back at the reservation for a post-Thanksgiving fat-ass run. It’s always a favorite.

—Lee Willett, info@sundayruns.org

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November 11 Kimberly Bridge

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This Sunday, meet at 8 a.m. at the Kimberly Bridge lot (see map) to run the Kimberly Blue 5 mile route. From Kimberly Bridge, follow the blue trail around Fire Tower hill to the RT trail, past the Indian Rock Shelter, up Pell Hill and back to the starting point. I was out there earlier this week and there are some pretty impressive trees down but nothing we can’t run over, around or, in a couple of cases, under.

Next week we’ll meet at the Michigan Road lot when we run a new course to Kimberly Bridge and back.

Hope to see you out there.

—Lee Willett, info@sundayruns.org

November 4 Michigan Road

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UPDATE 11.03, 8:00 pm: Sorry everyone. I just got word that the park is still closed. The run is cancelled for this Sunday. We’ll regroup next week.

Electricity? Who needs electricity to run? This Sunday, November 4, meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Michigan Road parking lot and follow the 6 mile Michigan to Rock Trail run. We’ll follow some of the less-traveled paths in the reservation, this time going down the stairs for a change. At intersections 25 and 21 we’ll be taking some smaller trails so we’ll visit portions of the park we don’t usually see.

Next week is the Beachfront Bushwhack which sounds like a great race. Not sure if I’ll be there but I’ll organize a run in the reservation for anyone wanting to stick closer to home.

Hope to see you out there this Sunday.

Lee

October 28 Recap

Thanks everyone for coming out on this pre-hurricane run. The rain held off, the temperature was perfect, and the trails were beautiful for whatever distance you ran. If someone can tell me what those pinkish trees were all around us at mile 4, I’d like to know‚ they were spectacular. The photo above includes the crew at the meadow lot just before the start and includes (not necessarily in order): Rich Camerik, Scot Binder, Phil Sandler, Johathan Greene, Barry Fagan, Eleanor Hershey, Kathy Lynch, Gerry Sullivan, Annie Bai, Mark Vincent, Lee Willett, Tony Godino, Seth Hollander, and Karen Haitoff. Great to see you Rob and thanks for the pic. Hope to you you next week.

October 28 Meadow Parking Lot

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This Sunday, October 28 at 8:00 a.m, meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation meadow parking lot (see map) for the first Ward Pound Ridge trail half marathon run. We’ll have a 13.1 mile option, plus 6 and 8.5 mile options as well for those who’d like a more leisurely run.

I’ll drop a cooler of water at mile 7.5 so there will be one water stop along the way. If you think you need more water than that, you can drop an extra water bottle at intersection 1 just after the five-mile mark. It’s not likely that I’ll have a chance to mark the trail in advance so bringing a map might prove useful. Rob says he’ll be the official timekeeper just in case anyone wants to know their time. Should be a lot of fun.

*Update: it looks like we have a fair chance of rain on Sunday but we’ll still run rain or shine.

On November 4, we’ll meet at the Michigan Road Parking Lot when we tackle the Michigan to Rock Trail course. More on that next week.

Hope to see you out there.

September 30 Trailside Museum

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This Sunday, September 30 at 8:00 a.m, meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Trailside Museum (http://goo.gl/maps/tm959) when we follow a 6-mile course that starts up the Magic Stairs, winds around the blue trail to Kimberly Bridge and returns via the brown trail. A PDF map can be downloaded at (http://goo.gl/ZXaK0). I ran the course yesterday and it was beautiful. For those training for Paine to Pain, this will be our last long run.

And don’t forget the Leatherman’s Loop 25 Years free film screening on Sunday afternoon.

For the next two weeks, we’ll be back at Muscoot preparing to Run the Farm.

Hope to see you Sunday.

March 7, 2010

Eastern-Leatherman_s-Loop-Training_Run_thumbIt was a fine day for a run at the reservation! At 8am Sunday morning five intrepid souls met at the upper parking lot at the Lewisboro Town Park to run the trails of the Pound Ridge Reservation. Note: next week – same time (8am Sunday 3/14!), same place, different run!

Virginia, Lee, Aarti, Rob, and Ciorsdan headed up the old ski hill towards the Rez. With week old snow crunching underfoot on this north facing slope the day was crisp and cool with the promise of warmer weather on the way. At the Deer Hollow trail intersection we headed east towards “The Wall.” Heading down the hill we encounter running partners Gerry and Christy. Gerry is a past Loop winner and Christy is training for a 50 mile ultra run! It felt like we were in very good company and checked in to the Loop circuit.

Further down we pass the Waccabuc River and then on to the old quarry sand hill known as “The Wall.” We take a run down it, intending to head straight back up. One of our group asks where the course comes out so we head to the bridge over the river towards the mud flats. The bridge was repaired (built?) many years back by Loop founders Tony Godino and Dave Cope. The river marks the boundary between South Salem (east) and Cross River (west). We turn around and head back up the sand hill, forgoing the mud flats for this day despite the obvious temptation.

At the top of the wall, we head left instead of right on the Deer Hollow trail, making our way further up the hill. The trail alternates between completely snow covered and completely clear, switching between winter and early spring depending on the exposure. Down on the other side, Boutonville Road comes up more quickly than expected and we rejoin the Loop course on the other side. The course follows along the Cross River which is crystal clear and flowing fast. We break out of the trees near Kimberly Bridge and cross the road again. We take a right on the Brown trail heading north, getting off the course once again but heading towards home with a few miles and some big climbs ahead. The slope of the brown trail here is almost like “the wall” except longer and without the shifting sand underfoot. At the bottom it is like a slow moving stream with lots of mud covering the trail. The downhill side is welcome and covered with more crunchy snow since we are on the north face again.

We join up with the Deer Hollow trail again as we cross briefly back onto the Loop course for a few hundred feet. Back past JT Farm on our right and up to the top of the Town Park hill under the power lines that separate the two parks. Back down the ski hill with no skis and to the cars and water.

All those present agreed to meet again and bring friends next week at the same time. Our pace was easy—if we have a few more runners we may split up to go at different paces. This run was just under 5 miles but we can work out a course anywhere from 2 to 6+ miles before heading out. Hope more folks reading this can join us! Respond at the website or via facebook. We will meet at 8am at the upper parking lot of the Lewisboro Town Park.