Searchable list of winners is here https://www.raceit.com/Register/registrantSearch.aspx?event=7698 in case the email we sent you did not reach your inbox. You can use the link to re-send the confirmation email if you need a copy.

We have a regular Sunday Group Run that usually meets somewhere in or around the Reservation and runs the trails there. Occasionally we venture into other parks and take some weekends to run in local trail races. Check the information page for current news on where we are meeting next. [...]]]>

Pine Forest in Snow

We have a regular Sunday Group Run that usually meets somewhere in or around the Reservation and runs the trails there. Occasionally we venture into other parks and take some weekends to run in local trail races. Check the information page for current news on where we are meeting next. Come out and join us – no one gets left behind!

The lottery was open for 8 days and accepted over 1,500 entrants into the lottery. We are planning to have 1,250 spots in the Loop. We will be doing the drawing for those spots over the weekend 1/20-1/21 and emailing the results on or [...]]]> The Leatherman’s Loop Lottery 2012 has CLOSED to new lottery registrations.

The lottery was open for 8 days and accepted over 1,500 entrants into the lottery. We are planning to have 1,250 spots in the Loop. We will be doing the drawing for those spots over the weekend 1/20-1/21 and emailing the results on or just after 1/23/12.

If you can’t make it to the Loop, please tell us before this Friday so we can remove your name from the lottery drawing so you won’t take up a spot and won’t get charged the non-refundable race fee.

Check the prior post for information about the lottery or check the lottery FAQ here.

If you have any questions, please contact us. (NOTE: we can’t accept any more entrants into the Loop Lottery.)

Sign up for the Loop Lottery here.

Check the prior post for information about the lottery or check the lottery FAQ here.

If you have any [...]]]> The Leatherman’s Loop 2012 Lottery is officially open! It will be open from January 9th, 2012 through January 16th, 2012. Drawing will be on or after January 23rd, 2012.

Sign up for the Loop Lottery here.

Check the prior post for information about the lottery or check the lottery FAQ here.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

EDIT: At the final credit card authorization screen you will see this message:

“After clicking the ‘Process my payment’ button found at the bottom of this page, your credit card will be charged.”

Your card will *only* be authorized to determine if it is valid – it will not be charged unless you win a spot in the lottery.

UPDATE: 1/16 11:59pm – Loop Lottery 2012 has CLOSED to new registrations. The lottery was open for 8 days and accepted over 1,500 entrants. We are planning to have 1,250 spots in the Loop and will be doing the drawing on 1/23/12 and emailing the results on or just after then.

If you can’t make it to the Loop, please tell us before this friday so we can remove your name from the lottery drawing so you won’t take up a spot and won’t get charged the non-refundable race fee.

Some upcoming tri-state area races include:

The 26th Running of the Leatherman’s Loop will be on Earth Day: Sunday, April 22, 2012 at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River, NY.

We are changing the registration process for the 2012 Leatherman’s Loop.

All runner registration this year will be via Loop Lottery.  The past five open registrations [...]]]>

Leatherman’s Loop News: Volume 26, Issue 1

The 26th Running of the Leatherman’s Loop will be on Earth Day: Sunday, April 22, 2012 at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River, NY.

We are changing the registration process for the 2012 Leatherman’s Loop.

All runner registration this year will be via Loop Lottery.  The past five open registrations have closed in 3 months (2007), 34 days (2008), 16 hours (2009), 3 hours (2010), and 20 minutes (2011).

We really really really wanted to maintain the traditional open registration, but our experience over the past 5 years has led us to the conclusion that a lottery is best for the runners, the organizers, and the Loop. We felt this change will minimize the problems and frustrations encountered in the past.

Details about the Loop Lottery – Starts Monday, January 9th

The Loop Lottery will open Monday, January 9th, 2012 and close Monday, January 16, 2012 — 8 days total. There is no immediate rush to sign up — but don’t wait too long! Once the lottery is closed we won’t accept any new entrants.

To sign up, visit the Leatherman’s Loop website during the lottery registration period and there will be links to theregistration 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 16th we will have the drawing for winners on or just after Monday, January 23rd.  Lottery winners and losers will be notified via email and winners will be charged the race entry fee (and t-shirt cost if ordered).

Everyone must realize that there are more runners than spots available so some folks are bound to be disappointed when they are unable to get in for 2012.  We hope everyone understands 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 registration for groups, multiple registrations, and other questions you might have.

This is relatively new to us and we are interested in making it as fair 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

Roberto Caraciolo Mandje, the runner on the cover of the January 2012 issue of Running Times, is a Fox Lane grad who won the Leatherman’s Loop in 2002. His mother is originally from Equatorial Guinea and he currently competes using his mother’s last name. He [...]]]>

January 2012 cover of Running Times Magazine featuring Roberto Caraciolo Mandje

Roberto Caraciolo Mandje, the runner on the cover of the January 2012 issue of Running Times, is a Fox Lane grad who won the Leatherman’s Loop in 2002. His mother is originally from Equatorial Guinea and he currently competes using his mother’s last name. He competed in the 2004 Athens Olympics in the 1500 meter race for Equatorial Guinea. He ran in 3 Leatherman’s Loops with top 10 finishes in 1999 and 2000 while at Fox Lane. He won in 2002 when he denied Gerry Sullivan a third consecutive win.

We are gearing up for the Loop Lottery 2012. This will be the first time we are doing a full lottery for loop entry after a successful partial loop lottery in 2011.

We are still working out details and trying to put together the simplest, most straightforward sign up, lottery, and winning entrant notification. More [...]]]>

We are gearing up for the Loop Lottery 2012. This will be the first time we are doing a full lottery for loop entry after a successful partial loop lottery in 2011.

We are still working out details and trying to put together the simplest, most straightforward sign up, lottery, and winning entrant notification. More details will be sent out in the next month or so via email to everyone signed up with the Loop email list. (We’ll also post brief notes to Facebook and Twitter linking back here about the lottery if you are following the Loop those places.)

If you are not sure whether your email is on the notification list, sign up again — we will automatically eliminate any dupes so you won’t get multiple copies (unless you sign up at more than one email address!).

Some notes:

• Tentative date for the Loop is Sunday, April 22, 2012 (Earth Day this year!). We will have the date confirmed before any lottery registration goes live.
• We have put together a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) note for the Loop Lottery. As we get more questions we will be updating this note.
• There is a general FAQ for the Loop here.
• There is a new Loop History section here.
• Photos of many years of the Leatherman’s Loop can be found at our new photo page here with links to our photo site.
• Our evolving Maps page is here.
• Complete Leatherman’s Loop results 1987-2011 are here.

The Trailside Museum has been very supportive of the Leatherman’s Loop over the past 25 years. It is a key part of the landscape and experience of the park.

The 2012 Westchester County budget as it stands now will close the Trailside Museum and 5 other Westchester County Park museums and visitor [...]]]>

Trailside Museum

The Trailside Museum has been very supportive of the Leatherman’s Loop over the past 25 years. It is a key part of the landscape and experience of the park.

The 2012 Westchester County budget as it stands now will close the Trailside Museum and 5 other Westchester County Park museums and visitor centers. The entire county conservation department budget will be eliminated. If you want to speak out, contact County Executive Rob Astorino and Majority Leader Peter Harckham or your local county representative.

Also, sign this online petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/save-pound-ridge-reservation-trailside-museum/ to lend your voice.

There is an article in the Bedford-Katonah Patch here with some more details.

We can make a difference for the museum, the department of conservation, and the parks. The budget that closes it is not yet final. Do your part if you want to keep this from happening!

Below is a note circulating from concerned friends of the parks and museums:

The Westchester County Board of Legislators will be conducting a series of public hearings on the budget, with a final vote due December 27^th.   All of you have expressed an interest in seeing the Museum stay open, and how that can best be achieved.  There is unfortunately no simple answer.  Concerned residents and groups can certainly appeal to the Board of Legislators through emails, letters, phone calls, and the public hearings (or all of the above) to let them know how important the Museum is to each of you.  The series of three (3) public hearings are as follows:

Upcoming BOL Budget Hearings – all at 7 PM

• November 22^nd, New Rochelle High School, 265 Clove Rd, New Rochelle
• November 30^th, Somers High School, 120 Primrose St, Lincolndale
• December 6^th, BOL Chambers, 8^th Floor, MOB1

While it would be great for the Legislators to hear from you in person either at the meetings or via phone calls, we understand that this may not be possible.  Letter campaigns can have just as great an impact.  Letters can be written to any and all of the following:

o   Correspondence to any Legislators is as follows

§  800 Michaelian Office Building, 148 Martine Ave, 8^th Floor, White Plains, NY 10601

§  Also, emails can be sent via the auto emailer at http://westchesterlegislators.com/contact-us.html

o   Ken Jenkins (Westchester County BOL Chair)

o   Peter Harckham (Majority Leader)

o   Michael Kaplowitz (Chair of Environment and Energy Committee)

o   County Executive Robert Astorino

o   Kathleen O’Connor (Parks and Recreation Commissioner)

§  25 Moore Ave, Mt. Kisco, NY 10549

§  parksinfo@westchestergov.com

There are many things that could be said to help sway favor towards our nature centers, most importantly heartfelt appeals to the legislators on why the Museum is so important to you as a concerned citizen.  How has the Museum played a role in your life, and why do you feel that keeping it open is so important?   Other talking points could include:

• The 2000+ school children who visit our park annually for field trips
• The thousands of citizens who visit the nature center to learn about the Reservation
• The weekend public programs that so many of you have enjoyed
• How the summer camp has helped thousands of kids feel a closer tie to nature
• And of course, why you believe the Museum is important

UPDATE (Dec 2011): The Westchester Board of Legislators has restored the funding to the 2012 budget and the Trailside Museum and other county nature centers will remain open! Thank you for your support, calls, letters, and petitions. You were heard loud and clear!

25 Years of Leatherman's Loop T-shirts 1987-2011

From the Trailside Nature Museum website:

Saturday, November 5th, 2 PM: “Hike to the Leatherman’s Cave”

Come and hear the lore of the Old Leather Man. Join us on [...]]]> A very popular annual event, around 100 people came out on a crisp autumn day last year to hike to one of the Leather Man’s caves.

From the Trailside Nature Museum website:

Saturday, November 5th, 2 PM: “Hike to the Leatherman’s Cave”

Come and hear the lore of the Old Leather Man. Join us on this annual 2.5 mile hike with renowned Storyteller Jonathan Kruk. Meet at the Michigan Road parking area. Co-sponsored by the Friends of Trailside Museum and Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.

Plus many other events on their calendar.

Wednesdays, October 12th through November 16th, 7:30 PM: “First Annual Trailside Fall Lecture Series” at the Trailside Nature Museum at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. each evening, guest lecturers who are experts in their field will discuss various historical aspects of the reservation and how this history affects the residents of [...]]]>

Wednesdays, October 12th through November 16th, 7:30 PM: “First Annual Trailside Fall Lecture Series” at the Trailside Nature Museum at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. each evening, guest lecturers who are experts in their field will discuss various historical aspects of the reservation and how this history affects the residents of Westchester County. There is a series of six talks with with one each Wednesday night. The one we’d like to point out is:

November 16: “The Old Leatherman” by Dan Deluca, author and expert on the Leatherman.

If you are interested in facts and history about the Old Leatherman, mark this evening on your calendar. Pre-registration is recommended (admission and parking are free). Call Trailside at (914) 864-7322 to register.

Registration for the 2011 Run The Farm 5 mile trail race and kids races is going well. We have nearly 700 combined registrations across the three events (5 miler, 1m kids, 0.6m kids).

Registration is still open — sign up if you would like to experience the beauty of [...]]]>

Detail of 2011 T-shirt design.

Registration for the 2011 Run The Farm 5 mile trail race and kids races is going well. We have nearly 700 combined registrations across the three events (5 miler, 1m kids, 0.6m kids).

Registration is still open — sign up if you would like to experience the beauty of Muscoot Farm and the marvelous 700+ acres where the trails are.

Check the recap from last year’s races. Also lots of people took photos and sent them in.

The event is set for October 23rd, 2011 at 8:30am at Muscoot Farm in Katonah, NY. Details about the race can be found at the http://raceit.com/search/event.aspx?event=c8acc05f-cf24-4f23-b2fe-bc396df86c3c.aspx

Run The Farm [...]]]> The second annual Run The Farm 5 mile trail race and Kids 1 mile trail race is opening for registration July 25th, 2011 at 9am.

The event is set for October 23rd, 2011 at 8:30am at Muscoot Farm in Katonah, NY. Details about the race can be found at the http://raceit.com/search/event.aspx?event=c8acc05f-cf24-4f23-b2fe-bc396df86c3c.aspx

Run The Farm is brought to you by the same team of volunteers that brings you the Leatherman’s Loop. We can always use more help! Please contact us at leathermansloop@gmail.com or runthefarm@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out for either event.

See you on the trails!

From the registration page: “On Monday September 5, 2011 (Labor Day) St. John’s Episcopal [...]]]> Friend of the Loop Brian Stempel is race director for The Church Tavern Biathlon hosted by St. John’s Church in South Salem, NY. (South Salem is home of the Mud Flats through Deer Hollow sections of the Leatherman’s Loop course.) 

From the registration page: “On Monday September 5, 2011 (Labor Day) St. John’s Episcopal Parish will be hosting the first annual South Salem ‘Church Tavern’ Biathlon.  Race start time is 10:00 AM and will proceed rain or shine.  The Biathlon consists of a 6.5 mile bike and a 4 mile run.  One of the main features of both courses is a steep trip up Church Tavern Road.  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.”

Check the registration page here http://raceit.com/search/event.aspx?event=49b95830-31c1-4829-935e-47395b6951ab.aspx for more details and a course overview. We are looking forward to this event!

These are the first two lines of the blessing – actually a Celtic-Navajo chant – that we use to begin the Leatherman’s Loop, the long and muddy 10k race in the Pound Ridge Reservation in NY that began 25 years ago with ninety [...]]]> “Beauty before me as I run
Beauty behind me as I run…”

These are the first two lines of the blessing – actually a Celtic-Navajo chant – that we use to begin the Leatherman’s Loop, the long and muddy 10k race in the Pound Ridge Reservation in NY that began 25 years ago with ninety runners and now has over 1,000.

However, over the years the Loop, as we call it, has grown not only in numbers but also in significance. In fact, for many it is more than a race: it is a rite of spring, a celebration of life, an experience of beauty, an encounter with the grace of the world.  In this way it is shaping the way we see ourselves in the world, what is of value and where we fit. Of course, this is the essence of sustainability: how we see and live our place in the world appropriately.  The Loop has become an instrument of sustainability.

The community here has done much to be more sustainable through our Climate Action Plan, our Environmental Summits, our energy programs, and our farmers markets, but until we change how we see ourselves in the world – as part of nature and not separate from and superior to it – these will not impact the way they should. The Loop fosters this critical component of sustainability by helping us appreciate the beauty and magic of the world we share with everything else. And that is what we highlight when we say our Celtic Navajo chant together.

This year was particularly powerful for all kinds of reasons, including the wet April that raised the water table and provided glorious mud for us to run (and fall) in, but also the glorious spring morning of May Day for us to savor the beauty. Perhaps for these reasons, the runners were particularly engaged by the chant which they kept calling out to each other at the strangest of times throughout the race. My personal highlight was the third and final stream crossing where the organizers and spectators had gathered to witness the last challenge for the participants in this great community celebration: well actually the second last for there remained three hundred yards of uphill slogging after the stream crossing to get to the finish line. But it was at the stream where I arrived covered – literally – in mud, as if the earth herself had embraced me, that I experienced this wonderful sense of joyful connection:

‘Go, Danny!’ they yelled. ‘You’re covered in beauty.’

And kids put out their hands for me to slap as I ran – actually staggered would be more like it – by them.

Afterwards, many came up to thank me for the blessing but, more importantly, to tell me how they had carried it with them throughout the race, or rather how it had carried them when the going got tough.

‘This was more fun than all the races I did in college.’

‘There is magic in this event.’

I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that for many this is a spiritual experience by which I mean a deep sense of what’s important – the land and its beauty, the water and its freshness, the sun and its warmth – but also a richer understanding of identity – I am part of all this – and purpose – this is something worth looking after. As such, the Loop emerges this year as a powerful example of new ways of celebrating the deeper dimensions of life and cultivating the right values for human living today.

“I see beauty all around.
In beauty may we walk.
In beauty may we see.
In beauty may we all be.”

What could be more sustaining or sustainable?

Daniel Martin

May 2, 2011

Chronological gallery of Leatherman’s Loop T-shirts from 1987 – present. Runners have located and photographed samples of the last 4 missing shirts (1992, 1994, 1998, 1999). THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR PITCHING IN TO GET THIS TOGETHER!!

UPDATE: Thanks go out to Glenn McCabe who dug out and [...]]]>

25 Years of Leatherman's Loop T-shirts 1987-2011

Chronological gallery of Leatherman’s Loop T-shirts from 1987 – present. Runners have located and photographed samples of the last 4 missing shirts (1992, 1994, 1998, 1999). THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR PITCHING IN TO GET THIS TOGETHER!!

UPDATE: Thanks go out to Glenn McCabe who dug out and photographed his 1998 t-shirt.
UPDATE 2: Thanks to Bob Goldblatt we now have 2 more missing shirt designs—1992 and 1999.
UPDATE 3: Bob Goldblatt dug deep in the t-shirt archive and came up with the final missing design—1994!

We have posted the updates at the “Loop Fashions” photo page linked above. Enjoy!

Email them to leathermansloop@email.smugmug.com with “25loops” in the subject field or post your photo and tag the Leatherman’s [...]]]> Runners: send in your photos wearing your Leatherman’s Loop t-shirts (any vintage) in various locales around the country and around the world! Alone, in groups, high, low, warm, cold, wherever you are with your Leatherman shirt on…

Email them to leathermansloop@email.smugmug.com with “25loops” in the subject field or post your photo and tag the Leatherman’s Loop on Facebook. Tell us the location of the photo—and who is in the photo—in the body of the email or description on facebook and we will post it to the Leatherman’s Loop Email gallery here: http://smu.gs/mBdoL1. We will also highlight it in our soon to be created “Where in the World is The Leatherman” gallery.

Photos can be taken anywhere, near or far!

The day broke at 5:30am with a gleam of sunshine over the hills of the Rez bringing with it a promise of more sun to come.

Early rising Loop organizers and some runners who had [...]]]> ••• Photo summary • 2011 results •••

Ward Pound Ridge Reservation • Cross River, NY • May Day 2011

The day broke at 5:30am with a gleam of sunshine over the hills of the Rez bringing with it a promise of more sun to come.

Early rising Loop organizers and some runners who had stayed the night at the Rez were already busy as the early morning fog burned off the Cross River.

Over 1,100 runners would arrive in the next several hours, ready to become one with the mud, the river, and the forest. For the first time ever, the Loop was held in May. The Leatherman Harriers, faced with a choice of 1.) Easter Sunday, 2.) the week before Easter, or 3.) the week after Easter, chose #3—Sunday, May the 1st.

It was a fortuitous choice. The other alternative—Sunday, April 18th—had been accompanied by buckets of rain in the preceeding days, leaving the river swollen—4 feet over normal and overflowing its banks. The first crossing was nearly impassable during a course check (only 4 of the intrepid dozen runners even attempted to ford the torrent, click photo to left to see the first crossing). At the second crossing—let’s just say no one said anything as the course checkers hopped over the nearby convenient bridge. Splashdown looked like a fast moving lake 100 feet wide. Runners took a look and then took off over the 2007 detour bridge. If the Loop were run that day it may have meant an unprecedented ‘zero river crossing’ course. Unthinkable!

Fortunately we did not have to make that choice and were instead presented with the most glorious day in the year so far.

At just after 6am, Loop veterans Mike Markhoff, Bill Bradsell, Ken Littlefield, and Mitch Stein took to the trail for a last minute check of the previously set course markings. Between these four runners we had nearly 40 Loops of experience heading out. The course check was in good hands.

Last year the Loop organizers invited Micah True, aka “Caballo Blanco” to be our official Loop starter. He enjoyed it so much that when we invited him back for this year’s Loop he responded with an enthusiastic “si”—and we had the added pleasure of meeting Maria Walton aka “La Mariposa Apache” his girlfriend and running soulmate.

Friends of the Loop Christy and Dean Leggiero gave up their chance to run this year in order to apply their storytelling talents to creating a 25th anniversary video about the Loop. They recruited friends and family to help with the venture. Some runners may have spoken with them this year before or after the Loop. Editing work is underway… we can’t wait to see the finished product. World premiere locations are being investigated!

The Loop parking crew arrived at 7am ready to pack in the cars. First runner Todd Jonasz picked up his bib and t-shirt just at 7am and the crowd grew from there. The registration area was handled—as always—by Judy Godino and her crew of bib specialists and t-shirt wranglers. Runners who had 10 or more Loops under their belt were given an official bell ringing to recognize their accomplishment.

Bagels and coffee arrived shortly after 7am with volunteers cutting and setting up at the food tent. Photographers were already roaming the area getting group shots and capturing the day in digital form. The video crew was busy talking to runners about their expectations and past experiences. David and Sam Ceisler were set up ready to receive donations for the 3rd annual “Help Feed The Leatherman” food drive to benefit the Community Center of Northern Westchester. Dan DeLuca, author of “The Old Leather Man” was also on hand to take in the event.

The bag pipers fired up their horns at 8:45 to call runners to the starting line 250 yards across the field. Runners made their way and jockeyed for position at the very long starting line.

Mike Paletta called the runners to order and introduced the original four trail runners who came up with the idea and founded the Leatherman’s Loop 25 years before. Ken Littlefield, Dave Cope, Pete Thompson, and Tony Godino came running down from a small hill overlooking the starting lineup to the cheers of runners. Mike also welcomed “El Caballo Blanco” back to the Rez and the Loop. Danny Martin led the runners in the Loop’s traditional Navajo/Irish Blessing. During Danny’s blessing, Tiokasen Ghosthorse, the official race starter, played on his wooden flute. At the close of Tiokasen’s music, Tony Godino said “Well, time to get going!” and gestured with his arms to start the Loop. The race was on!

The running crowd surged forward in an uneven line, quickly converging to a point with the fastest sprinters out front. Novice and veteran runners were not far behind. First mud was early this year, right at the turn into the Fox Hill trail that enters the forest after the sprint. Temperatures were already in the 60s with sun streaming through the just budding spring trees making the temperature seem hotter – should have had that last sip of water! An elemental beast of the forest emerged to remind runners that they were not alone. Fortunately the deer’s 11 year old target was perhaps forewarned (or luckier!) and avoided Buck’s fate.

The crowd stretched out and trotted through the narrowing trails until the first water crossing – wide and slow flowing – with that tricky slick rock on the far side exit. Onwards past the boardwalks to Kimberley Bridge and then the fisherman’s trail. “Sullivan’s Surprise” water crossing was deep on the right, rocky on the left. Quite a few people were startled by the hole in the middle of the riverbed about halfway across. The mudflats claimed at least two more pairs of shoes (that we heard about). Expeditions will be sent out for recoveries but prognosis is not good at this point.

Runners who made it through the mud flats were greeted by the sounds of a mariachi band. Several groups stopped to dance with the musicians before trekking up The Wall to rejoin Deer Hollow trail and the long climb ahead that seems to grow longer each year.

The pine forest was a welcome respite from the growing warmth, with cool shade offered by the towering evergreens. At the bottom a pair of Viola players (Viola-inists?) saw runners off with some original compositions. Only one mile to go—already sounds of cheers at Splashdown echoed through the approaching woods. At the final river crossing, runners were greeted by the cheers of thousands (or maybe nearly a hundred) spectators and finishers. Runners sprang out the bank on the far side thinking they were close to the finish. The cruel little insult hill loomed brief but large before the 200 yard dash to the finish flags.

Water, bagels, oranges, bananas, and—for some—pies awaited at the end of the Loop. A few runners paid a visit to the LVAC tent to treat scrapes, bruises, and a few more serious injuries. Meeting good friends, new friends, old friends, and the occasional longtime rival was all part of the day.

As we were leaving the meadow, wanting it all to last as long as possible, we were already thinking about next year…

••• Link to photo summary • Link to 2011 results & recap •••