Leatherman’s Loop News, Volume 35, Issue 1
To: Everyone who is registered for the 2023 Leatherman’s Loop:
IMPORTANT: Race start time is 9am on April 23rd – but a number of factors make it important that you plan to arrive around 1 hour early on race day. Read on…
Your race organizers and the dedicated Leatherman’s Loop volunteers have been working hard to set up this year’s event. The last piece we need is YOU!
For those who like to get organized ahead of time, we will have early bib & shirt pickup at the entrance to Ward Pound Ridge Reservation on the day before the Loop Saturday April 22nd from 9am-12pm.
We will be in the WPA Gallery across from the park entrance booth on Reservation Road in Cross River, NY. Come on over and pick up your bib the day before if you can — it will be one less thing for you to do on race day!
Here are some tips that will help you on race morning Sunday, April 23rd:
1.) ARRIVE EARLY! Please plan to arrive at the park before 8:04am — or even earlier if you can swing it. The race starts at 9AM. The regular $10 parking fee is already incorporated as part of the loop entry fee so entry goes more quickly. Bonus: The earlier you arrive the more you will avoid the traffic backup at the entrance to the park. Traffic always backs up at the park entrance as race time approaches so please plan 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 car 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! There has never been a runner who emerged dry and clean from the woods after completing a Loop. You will get wet and you will get muddy. Where and how you change after the race is up to you. Towels are a must. A clean, dry set of shoes and socks is a requirement. Plan accordingly!
4.) LISTEN ATTENTIVELY TO PRE-LOOP ANNOUNCEMENTS! We need a few minutes of your time before the start. Race Director Rob Cummings 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. Rocks 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, Joe Cloidt and Danny Martin will give a brief poem/blessing to set the tone. Then the official starter will send us on our way.
6.) IF YOU SEE MUD, RUN THROUGH IT! There’s no avoiding the mud — so simply embrace it, get dirty, and get going. After the first mile, there will be no clean or dry shoes.
7.) STAY ON COURSE IF YOU CAN’T CONTINUE! There will be a number of “race 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.) DOGS are NOT PERMITTED in the Loop! Starting in 2020, our race insurance company said no dogs can run in the race. We love running with dogs, but we can’t have them racing any more unfortunately.
Dogs are permitted in the park of course. If you plan to take a dog as an observer, the county park law requires ALL dogs in parks be leashed at ALL times. This is for the safety of your dogs, other park patrons, and other dogs visiting.
9.) PLEASE LEAVE YOUR HEADPHONES IN THE CAR! We ask this for your safety and for other runners sake. If you can’t hear other runners — especially during the big start — it can cause problems for you and others on the trail. If you will not abide by this request, PLEASE leave at least one ear open for safety’s sake. The other runners will appreciate your awareness.
10.) THERE IS NO SAME DAY REGISTRATION! We 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.
11.) RESULTS: Printed lists of finishers with time and place will be available soon after the finish at the bib pickup area and later in the afternoon on the Loop website. Check it out at http://www.leathermansloop.org/results.
12.) 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!
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 on the 23rd (or the 22nd if you are picking up your bib early)!
Good luck and have fun,
…Rob, Ciorsdan, Mike, and the rest of the Leatherman Harriers
PS: Some useful links…
• Follow the Loop on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/leathermansloop
• Map and Directions to the Reservation
• A runners overview of the Leatherman’s Loop trail
• Searchable list of registered runners
• Run on the trails on Sundays all year round!
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) including why no refunds, exchanges, or deferrals
The Loop is the first in a series of trail races called The Trail Mix. Check these upcoming Trail Mix races at the Trail Mix Website:
–A Mild Sprain 4.25M Trail Race (June TBD) – Trail Mix Race #2
–Where the Pavement Ends 4.25M Trail Race (9/10) – Trail Mix Race #3
–Sarah Bishop Bushwhack 10k Trail Race (Sept 24 TBD?) – Trail Mix Race #4
–Paine to Pain Half Marathon Trail Race (10/8) – Trail Mix Race #5
–Run The Farm 5M Trail Race (10/22) – Trail Mix Race #6
–Raven Rocks Run 10k Trail Race (11/12) – Trail Mix Race #7
(Note: this went out as an email to all registered runners for the 2023 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.)
Final Note: There is no same day registration for the 2023 Leatherman’s Loop. All entries were done via Loop Lottery in mid-January.
