Registered Loop Runners,
Get that training into high gear… one month until the 24th running of the Leatherman’s Loop!
We have some treats in store for Loop runners this year. One item we are really excited about sharing: Our official starter this year will be Caballo Blanco who was featured in the recent book “Born to Run” by Christopher MacDougal and founder of the Copper Canyon Trail Ultramarathon. You can watch a great video about the Tarahumara runners of the Copper Canyon in this short titled “Super Athletes of the Sierra Madre.” Caballo will also run the Loop and speak at the Trailside Museum at 3PM on the day of the Loop (Free to Loop runners – RSVP – limited seating). Caballo will also be in town for two days after the Loop speaking at other locations in Westchester and New York City.
After the registration problems on January 1st we approached the park and asked for an expansion of the running field for this year. The good news is the park management agreed to allow a one-time expansion and as a result we were able to accommodate many more people who were attempting but were unable to register. Many of you are able to run this year due to their accommodation. On the other hand, this means we anticipate at least 200 more runners than last year so the course will be crowded, especially at the start. We would like to ask runners who are not necessarily running for time to hold back a bit at the start. This will help ease the congestion at the entrance to the woods after the meadow start. There are six miles after then where you can use your saved energy to catch and pass—time to develop a race strategy!
Training Note: A small group of runners have been meeting at the Lewisboro Town Park on Sunday mornings at 8AM to train on the Loop trails. All are invited and welcome—next run 3/28 @ 8AM and continuing every Sunday morning until the Loop. Details here: http://www.leathermansloop.org/index.php/site/group_run_this_sunday_march_28/ Last week the group did the first water crossing and split into 2 groups who ran different lengths and paces. This week is runner’s choice!
We’ll be sending out more logistics information via email and posts on the website in next few weeks leading up to the Loop. We’ll keep some surprises for Loop day though…
See you on the trails!
-Mike, Tony, Kate, & Rob