Two Weeks To Go!

by

Leatherman’s Loop News, Volume 29, Issue 1

29th Leatherman’s Loop in 2 Weeks!

To: Everyone who is registered for the 2015 Leatherman’s Loop:

2007-shirt-just-leathermans-loop-circle-black-white-29-in-center-300The snow is finally melted… the river is cold and flowing swiftly… birds are chirping… peepers are peeping… the new leaves and flowers are the color of spring! Time for the 29th running of the Leatherman’s Loop Trail Race on April 26, 2015!

Race organizers Tony & Judy Godino, Rob Cummings, Mike Paletta, and the dedicated Leatherman’s Loop volunteers have been working hard to set up this year’s event. All we need is YOU!

Here are some tips that will help you on race morning:

Traffic backing up at the entrance near race time - arrive early to avoid the crush.
Traffic backing up at the entrance near race time – arrive early to avoid the crush.

1.) ARRIVE EARLY! Please plan to arrive at the park before 8:15am — or even earlier if you can swing it. The regular $10 parking fee is already incorporated as part of the loop entry fee so entry goes more quickly. Bonus: When you arrive early you will avoid the traffic backup at the entrance to the park. Traffic always back ups at the park entrance as race time approaches so please plan and execute an early arrival. You will thank yourself when you are relaxed and ready to go at the start line. If you do find yourself stuck in traffic please be patient.

2.) DRIVE SLOWLY and CAREFULLY in the Park! Watch the volunteers who are directing the parking. Car pool if you can & PARK TIGHT! For a helpful overview of the race location (parking, start, bib pickup), check the logistics page of the website here.

3.) BRING A FULL CHANGE OF CLOTHING! You will get wet and you will get muddy. Where and how you change is up to you. Towels are a must. A clean, dry set of shoes is a requirement. There has never been a runner who emerged dry and clean from the woods after completing a Loop. Plan accordingly!

Race director Tony Godino gives out last minute instructions to runners before the start.
Race director Tony Godino gives out last minute instructions to runners before the start.

4.) LISTEN ATTENTIVELY TO PRE-LOOP ANNOUNCEMENTS! We only get to see most of the runners once a year and need a few minutes before the start. Race Director Tony Godino will have important information about the course and safety. You will be instructed about the hazards related to the stream crossings and current water and course conditions. Hidden boulders and slippery ledges lurk under the surface of the water. Slow down and DON’T DIVE into the water under any circumstances.

5.) LISTEN FOR THE START! Following the instructions, we will hear Danny Martin give a brief poem/blessing to set the tone. Then we will start the runners.

6.) IF YOU SEE MUD, RUN THROUGH IT! Especially at the entrance to the woods immediately after the start. There’s no avoiding the mud — so simply embrace it, get dirty, and get going.

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Fording the splashdown river crossing.

7.) STAY ON COURSE IF YOU CAN’T CONTINUE! There will be a number of “sweeps” running the course following the slower runners. If for any reason you can’t continue, wait for them to get to you to assess your needs. The park is over 4,300 acres so don’t leave the course unless you know exactly where you are going.

8.) ALL DOGS MUST BE LEASHED! If the dogs are running in the Loop they MUST START NEAR THE BACK with their humans! If you are running with your dog, please hold back at the start and be certain that your dog or its leash does not interfere with or impede any of the other runners. The county park law requires dogs be leashed at all times while in the park for the safety of your dogs, other park patrons, and other dogs visiting.

9.) LEAVE HEADPHONES IN THE CAR! This is a new requirement and we ask because it is a safety hazard if you can’t hear other runners — especially during the big start — but also throughout the Loop!

10.) THERE IS NO SAME DAY REGISTRATION! We simply do not have room for any more registrations. Please understand the position we are put in when we have to refuse someone entry. If someone you know is interested in next year’s loop, there is a form at the website to submit name and email address. If you are signed up for this year’s Loop you are already on this email list.

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There will be mud

11.) BRING FOOD DONATIONS! Don’t forget donations for the Help Feed the Leatherman Food Drive. Bring your non-perishable donations to the Loop and we will have a drop off point near the registration trailer. Your generosity will benefit the Community Center of Northern Westchester. Thanks to the Ceisler Family for continuing this 7th year of the food drive. We will send more information about this community effort in a separate email.

12.) RESULTS: Printed lists of finishers with time and place will be available soon after the finish at the bib pickup area and by later in the afternoon on the Loop website. Check it out at http://www.leathermansloop.org/results.

13.) THANK A VOLUNTEER! A tremendous amount of volunteer effort goes into making the Loop a special event each year. T-shirt designers, registration volunteers, pie buyers, course setters, trail wardens, box lifters, water servers, food preparers, coffee brewers, parking coordinators, photographers, videographers, course sweeps, and the clean-up crew—not to mention the Pound Ridge, Lewisboro, and Westchester County Police officers and the fantastic and dedicated members of the Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps!

Bib pickup table.
Bib pickup table.

14.) WATCH FOR THE LEATHERMAN! Remember that this event celebrates the life of the Leatherman. Learn his story and by all means make some noise if he is out and about on Race Sunday.

This event is truly a group effort and tribute to the spirit of the community. We are grateful that we have such a wonderful group of Loop enthusiasts and are thankful that we have the thousands of acres of parkland at the Rez to enjoy!

Remember, leave only (muddy) footprints, take only pictures…

Expect more news as the event nears…. See you in 2 weeks!

Good luck and have fun,

Tony, Judy, Rob, Mike, and the rest of the Leatherman Harriers

PS: Some useful links…

• Map and Directions to the Reservation
• A runners overview of the Leatherman’s Loop trail
• Follow the Loop on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/leathermansloop
• Searchable list of registered runners
• Run on the trails on Sundays all year round!

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Loop is the first in a series of trail races called The Trail Mix. Check these upcoming Trail Mix races (and some other favorite races of ours):

(Note: this went out as an email to all registered runners for the 2015 Loop. If you did not receive it via email and you are registered, you may want to check your spam folder and set up leathermansloop@gmail.com on your address book/white list.)

Note: There is no same day registration for the 2015 Leatherman’s Loop.

2 thoughts on “Two Weeks To Go!”

  1. Pingback: Four Days to Go… | The Leatherman's Loop
  2. Pingback: 29th Loop Tomorrow | The Leatherman's Loop

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