June 25, Butler Sanctuary

Butler_Westmoreland_v2
click for map

This Sunday, June 25, at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Nature Conservancy Butler Sanctuary on Chestnut Ridge Road in Mt. Kisco (see in Google maps) when we run a combination of trails covering most of the park. Since Butler is a relatively small preserve, we’ll be following a double loop course to get to 5ish miles. Don’t worry, you’ll still get a workout since the terrain has a lot of ups and downs. Plus anyone interested in a longer run can head over to the Meyer Preserve and to Westmoreland Sanctuary afterwards for a few more miles. Meet in the Butler parking lot. See the map here ›› Looking to start early? Arrive at 5:00 a.m. and join me on a run from Butler to Meyer preserve. We’ll return at 7:00 a.m. for a short loop of Westmoreland.

This Saturday, June 24, at 7:00 a.m., let’s get back to those hill repeats from Kimberly Bridge. Come for as many or as few as you’d like then head out on the trails when you’ve had enough.

Next Saturday, July 1, I’m planning on running part of the Escarpment course. Let me know if you’re interested.

Hope to see you out there this weekend.

April 2, Leonard Park, Mt. Kisco

click for map
click for map

This Sunday, April 2, at 8:00 a.m., meet at the gazebo at Leonard Park in Mt. Kisco (see map) when we tackle some different trails. We’ll start in Leonard park, go through Marsh Sanctuary, Merestead, Butler, and Westmoreland Sanctuary. Runners will have a choice of various distances. Anyone interested in starting early can arrive at 7:00 a.m. for a few extra miles. No earlier starts this week.

5 Mile Run: Take the course through Marsh and Merestead to the Butler loop.
7.7 Mile Run: Follow the Butler loop which adds 2.7 to the run for a total of 7.7 miles.
10 Mile Run: Cross the road to Westmoreland Sanctuary for a short loop.
13.1 Mile Run (approx): Anyone interested in going farther can try the Leonard Park to Westmoreland Greenbelt Half Marathon which adds the perimeter course of Westmoreland. And if you know how to get to the Meyer Preserve, you can make this run even more epic.

On Saturday, April 1, at 8:00 a.m., if you missed the Dancing Rock run or you just can’t get enough, meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Michigan Road lot for a special run on a classic course designed by Tony—The Dancing Rock Run. This is a looped course of 7.5-miles including some significant bushwhacks. The course isn’t flagged, so you might want a map. Just sayin’. Early birds can start at 7:00 a.m. for a warmup before the run.

Some great running this past weekend. Seems everyone found a path through the park. Kudos to Charlotte Dequeker on Saturday for killing it on the Blueathon—17 repeats for over 22 miles and 7,000 feet of gain. You are now king of the hill.

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The 7:00 group
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The 6:00 group
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The 5:00 group
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August 14, Butler Sanctuary

click for map page

click for map page

This Sunday, August 14, at 8:00 a.m., meet at the Nature Conservancy Butler Sanctuary on Chestnut Ridge Road in Mt. Kisco (see in Google maps) when we run a combination of trails covering most of the park. Since Butler is a relatively small preserve, we’ll be following a double loop course to get close to 5 miles. Don’t worry, you’ll still get a workout since the terrain has a lot of ups and downs. Plus anyone interested in a longer run can head over to Westmoreland afterwards for a few more miles. Meet in the Butler parking lot. See the map here ››
Looking to start early? Arrive at 7:00 a.m. for a pre-run loop.

Saturday, August 13, 8:00 a.m.
For anyone looking for a Saturday run, meet in the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation at the Michigan Road parking lot and run the Michigan to Kimberly 6 mile loop.

Don’t forget to register for the Trail Mix Races this fall including the Sarah Bishop Bushwhack on September 25. And if you’re looking for something a little different this weekend, there’s the Taconic Road Runners/Peekskill Brewery Mile on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. Limited to 100 entrants only.

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With 1300 feet of elevation gain, I’m glad everyone liked the hills last week.
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September 21, A Choice of Venues

This Sunday, September 21, at 8:00 a.m., you have a few choices of events:

pavementends_iconWhere the Pavement Ends Four Mile Trail Race, Ridgefield, CT.
This four mile trail runs through Hemlock Hills in Ridgefield in a mix of fire road and single track that twists through areas that most of you will have never seen. Meet at the Ridgebury School, South Shore Drive, Ridgefield, CT and be ready to run at 8:00 a.m. This is the first of the Trail Mix Series of races leading to next spring’s Leatherman’s Loop.

kiscorunFirst Annual Mt. Kisco 5K Road Race
For those looking for something different, there’s the First Annual 5K road race through the heart of Mt. Kisco. Sunday Runner Kathy Lynch is one of the race organizers for this inaugural event that starts at 8:00 a.m. at Kirby Plaza/Train Station. Post-race party at MTK Supper Club and take advantage of Mt. Kisco Sidewalk Sale Days, including some of the best food and shops in the area.

WPR_7.5mi_EleanorsEscapeEleanor’s Escape 7.5 Mile Loop
For those not looking to race this weekend can meet at the Ward Pound Ridge Michigan Road lot and run Eleanor’s Escape 7.5 mile loop. This course will take you on the beautiful blue trail, past Raven Rocks, then back via the red/green trail. But bring your own maps this time—I’ll be at one of the races above.

Sadly, I’ve learned that recently there was some vandalism at Zofnass Family Preserve. Someone marked paths using day-glow indelible spray paint on trees, rocks, and soil. Since the preserve is an environmentally-sensitive wetland area, remediation will be both costly and difficult. I’ve been in touch with Westchester Land Trust and asked them to keep me informed if they need volunteers with the work. If anyone knows anything about who might have done this, please contact me or the Westchester Land Trust. I’ll keep you informed as this develops.

Next weekend is The Second Annual Sarah Bishop Bushwhack at Mountain Lakes Park. We’ll be closing online registration late next week and giving the course one final run text Saturday. We hope to see you all there.

Have a great weekend, whatever you decide to do.

Lee Willett

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April 6, Leonard Park

Leonard_to_Butler
7.7 Miles
Leonard_to_Butler
10 Miles
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13.1 Miles

This Sunday, April 6 at 8:00 a.m., meet at the gazebo at Leonard Park in Mt. Kisco (see map) when we tackle some different trails. We’ll start in Leonard park, go through Marsh Sanctuary, Merestead, and Butler Sanctuary. Runners will have a choice of various distances.

5 Mile Run: Take the course through Marsh and Merestead to the Butler loop.
7.7 Mile Run: Follow the Butler loop which adds 2.7 to the run for a total of 7.7 miles.
10 Mile Run: Cross the road to Westmoreland Sanctuary for a short loop.
13.1 Mile Run (approx): Anyone interested in going farther can try the Leonard Park to Westmoreland Greenbelt Half Marathon  which adds the perimeter course of Westmoreland.

There you have it— a host of great options through five different parks. Hope to see you out there.

Lee Willett

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November 17, Leonard Park

Leonard_to_Butler
7.7 Miles
Leonard_to_Butler
10 Miles
Leonard_to_Butler
13.1 Miles

This Sunday, November 17 at 8:00 a.m., meet at the gazebo at Leonard Park in Mt. Kisco (see map) when we tackle some different trails. We’ll start in Leonard park, go through Marsh Sanctuary, Merestead, and Butler Sanctuary. Runners will have a choice of distances.

5 Mile Run: Take the course through Marsh and Merestead to the Butler loop.
7.7 Mile Run: Follow the Butler loop which adds 2.7 to the run for a total of 7.7 miles.
10 Mile Run: Cross the road to Westmoreland Sanctuary for a short loop.
13.1 Mile Run (approx): Anyone interested in going farther can try the Leonard Park to Westmoreland Greenbelt Half Marathon  which adds the perimeter course of Westmoreland.

Saturday, November 16, 8:00 a.m.
If you’re interested in an additional run this weekend, meet at Mountain Lakes Park (201 Hawley Road, North Salem, NY) at the trailhead to Lookout Point and run the Sarah Bishop Bushwhack course. Instead of starting at the race start, though, we’ll be starting from the Kids’ Start on the map  and completing the 10K course from there. Should be a lot of fun. And if you can’t make it in the morning, Mark Vincent will be running the course at 2:30 on Saturday as well so you have another chance for a great run.

There you have it—two days, three runs, and a host of great options through six different parks this weekend. Hope to see you out there.

Lee Willett

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