December 25, 2024
Great run this morning despite the cold temperatures. Thanks everyone for coming out—it was fun.
More of Rob’s pics are on Facebook here ››
(tag yourself in the photo on Facebook and show your friends what you’re made of!)
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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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.
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On Sunday, January 13 at 8:00 a.m., meet at a new location—Mountain Lakes Park—for a 5.7 mile run in some of the highest points in Westchester. We’ll have great views from Lookout Point within the first mile and for those who want to to add another half mile can take a detour between miles 4 and 5 to go to the top of Bailey Mountain, elevation 982 feet, the highest point in Westchester. The course has a couple crossovers but I’ve indicated the route on the map so it should be easy enough to follow. The main gate to the park will be open and there is some parking at the trail head where we’ll start. Additional parking should be available farther into the park at the dumpsters.
Tony has offered to take a slight diversion at mile one to Sarah Bishop’s Cave for a little bushwhacking and history lesson for anyone interested. Should be fun.
Hope to see you out there.
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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.
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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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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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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
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.
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Hope to see you this Sunday.
Lee Willett, info@sundayruns.org
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 entry, duplicate 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
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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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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Change of Plan: The Westmoreland run will be rescheduled once the trails have been cleared.
On Sunday, December 2 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, meet at the Trailside museum when we follow a new variation of the Trailside to Raven Rocks course. Also, for the run on December 23rd, I’m taking a poll so you can vote for the run of your choice. The run with most votes will be the one I schedule. Voting will begin on Sunday on this site.
Hope to see you there.
Lee Willett, info@sundayruns.org
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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.
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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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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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
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
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.
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.
This Sunday, October 7 at 8:00 a.m, meet at the Muscoot Farm parking lot (http://goo.gl/maps/dTDiT) for a course check of the Run the Farm loop. You can download a map of the five-mile course here. There will be a Kids Run the Farm 1-mile course check at 9:00 so bring the whole family.
We’ll be back at Muscoot again next week for the last course check before race day.
Hope to see you Sunday.
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.
It 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.