July 4, Meadow Parking Lot

WPR_6.3mi_MeadowOverlook
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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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Sunday Runs Picnic Potluck

westmoreland_logoAs of 12:00 Sunday, we are on as planned.

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.

Sign up here today: signupgenius.com/go/508044EA4A922A46-hanging

I hope to see you at this great event.

Lee Willett

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June 30, Meadow Parking Lot

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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 23, Muscoot Farm

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click for map page

Sunday, June 23, 8:00 a.m.
Let’s change things up thus Sunday at a different venue. Meet at the Muscoot Farm parking lot for a run of the Run the Farm 5 mile course. Even though there are months before that race, it’s always a great trail. Those who want a longer run can go back out for a second full or partial loop. You can see a map of the five-mile course here.

Saturday, June 22, 8:00 a.m.
Anyone interested in a Saturday run can meet at the trail head to Lookout Point in Mountain Lakes Park and follow the 5.2 mile “Sarah Bishop” course around the park. While this most likely won’t be the final course map for the September 29th event, it certainly is a good preview. You can see a map of the course here.

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. Next week we’ll be back at the Ward Pound Ridge reservation Meadow Lot for a run of the Fire Tower loop.

Hope to see you out there.

Lee Willett

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June 16, Michigan Road

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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

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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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A Mild Sprain

Congratulations to all of the Sunday Runners that competed in A Mild Sprain this past Sunday. It was great to see so many familiar faces and Dave Vogel really knows how to put on an event—thanks Dave. Big shout-outs to Christy Leggiero and Eleanor Hershey for finishing second and third overall in the women’s division and Tony Godino and I managed to finish first in our respective age groups. Lots of other great performances from the group as well and you can see the final results posted on the Mild Sprain site. It was a great showing for the Sunday Runners and a great cause to run for.

May 19, Lewisboro Town Park

WPR_6.8mi_TownToMichigan
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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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May 5, Sprain Ridge Park

A Mild Sprain
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This Sunday, May 5, at 8:00, is a course check of A Mild Sprain trail race at the Sprain Ridge Park in Yonkers. This 4.25 mile trail has lots of ups and downs, switchbacks and single-tracks. While “only” 4.25 miles, it’s challenging. And if you feel short-changed afterwards, you can go out for a couple extra miles on this scenic course.
Car Pool instructions: For those in South Salem, Waccabuc, Ridgefield area: meet at the Lewisboro Town Park LOWER PARKING LOT at 7:20. For those in Mt. Kisco, Katonah, Brewster, meet at the park and ride, exit 4 on Rt. 684 at 7:35. Coordinate with me if you’re interested.

If you’d prefer to stay a little closer to home, then I suggest meet at the Meadow Parking lot for the “Meadow, Michigan & Museum” 6.15 mile run. I’ll be at Sprain Ridge so bring your own maps.

Next week we’ll be at the reservation running on some of the southern trails. For those who are interested in a Saturday run, I’ll be recommending runs for Saturdays as well through the summer starting next week.

Hope to see you Sunday,

Lee Willett

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April 28, Mountain Lakes Park

MLP_v2
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On Sunday, April 28 at 8:00 a.m., meet at Mountain Lakes Park for a 5+ mile run in some of the highest points in Westchester. We’ll have great views from Lookout Point within the first mile and go to the top of Bailey Mountain, elevation 982 feet, the highest point in Westchester. Mark as redesigned the course since we ran it in January so it should be easier 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. View map page here ››

Next Sunday, May 5, is a course check for A Mild Sprain trail race in Sprain Ridge Park in Yonkers. Even if you’re not signed up for the race, it’s a great trail and an opportunity to run someplace new. On Sunday, we can discuss to see who’s interested and plan on car pooling.

The following week, May 12, is Mother’s Day. As such, I’d like to hear recommendations from the women in the group what you’d like to run that day (or what you’d like to see the men run). I’ll post the run of your choice. So far, I’ve had a request to run at Lasdon Park which would be a new location for us. Anyone else want to offer an opinion?

Hope to see you Sunday.

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.

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