Mixed bag of Loop stuff from Tony
What didn’t happen at the start last year
What did happen at the start last year
Joe Stanley, the only runner who has completed all thirty Loops, agreed to serve as the “celebrity starter.” Joe won the Loop in 1987 and followed up with many top ten finishes. His times have slowed but his kind and peaceful spirit has soared. As I see it, Joe embodies the spirit of the Loop and will always be at the head of the conga line of tens of thousands of runners who have participated over the years.Let’s put the fire tower back up in the Rez
From 1926 until 1982 a fire tower sat on the highest point in the Pound Ridge Reservation. Over the years it became a destination for hikers who would climb its six stories to the observation deck. The reward was a panoramic view which included long Island Sound and the N.Y.C. skyline as well as the white faced cliffs of the “Gunks” and the Catskills beyond. Long time friend of the Loop Tom Cohn has tirelessly led the effort to secure permission to put a similar tower back where the original once was. I applaud and support Tom’s vision. Click on the link and take in the view.The wisdom and compassion of Danny Martin
In the last newsletter I said that I now see the loop as “a celebratory gathering in nature which includes trail running.” Danny Martin adds that “our experience of the Loop has shown us many times that when we gather and connect across our many differences we generate hope and strength. In times of change and the challenges they bring we need such hope and strength.” We both believe that participation in the Loop has the potential to serve each of us in ways apart from and beyond the running. Danny thinks that it can be harnessed and put to use. Click on the link to his blog and read about Danny’s vision for “connecting vigils.”Links to video and photo highlights
The 2017 Loop video trailer features some highlights from Loop videos made in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2011, and 2015 (2). Thanks to Dean Leggiero, John Cummings, Mitch Stein, Wilderness Bob, Christy Cuomo, Tom Anckner, and a few others for taking the videos. The short 3 minute video features Griffin “Buck” Farro, Danny Martin, Madison Haller, the Albertus Magnus girls track team, Kate Paletta, Hernando Munoz, Joe Stanley, Tom Nohilly, Kerry Arsenault, Stan “Leatherman” Telega, Bob Goldblatt, Tony Godino, and many of the runners of the Loop in those years.
Trail Mix Race Series and Sunday Runs
Not everyone who participates in the Leatherman’s Loop is a serious runner. For some of you it is the only race that you do each year and that is fine. Congratulations to the 94 runners who did complete four or more of the Trail Mix Series races in 2016. By doing so you are guaranteed a lottery selection for the upcoming Loop. Check out the Trail Mix Series and the Leatherman Harriers Sunday Runs websites.Last year Nick Ohnell and David Vogel produced and hung a very large tapestry which thanked me for doing something that I love — but it is Judy and Rob and our team of volunteers that skillfully lace each piece of the Loop together. It is you the participants who bring the magic and the love into the Rez each year and for that I thank you.
Further reading in the Founder’s Newsletter series, published at uncertain dates with a flexible schedule not known in advance…
- View Volume 1 of the Founder’s Newsletter “Humble Beginnings” (2010 edition)
- View Volume 2 of the Founder’s Newsletter “The 25th Loop” (2011 edition)
- View Volume 3 of the Founder’s Newsletter “The Future Looks Bright” (2012 edition)
- View Volume 4 of the Founder’s Newsletter “A Trail Racing Plan” (2013 edition)
- View Volume 5 of the Founder’s Newsletter “Trail Mix – New Trail Series” (2014 edition)
- View Volume 6 of the Founder’s Newsletter “The Loop Lottery / Danny Martin” (early 2016 edition)
- View Volume 7 of the Founder’s Newsletter “Seeing the Loop Through Tony’s Eyes” (late 2016 edition)
- View Volume 8 of the Founder’s Newsletter “Mixed bag of Loop stuff from Tony” (2017 edition)