• Sunday, April 27th, 2025 • Ward Pound Ridge Reservation • Cross River, NY •
• Full results are available here •
• 2025 Photos are here • (upload YOUR 2025 Loop photos here)
Thank you Loop runners, volunteers, park staff, and supporters for coming out and making this last Sunday a great event and a great day!
The group of cobweb crew (aka early morning group) members from our Sunday Runners group left at at 7:00am for a pre-run of the trails and course to check the markings and make sure there were no (unplanned) surprises to greet runners.
Longtime Loop checker and runner Mike Markhoff left a bit earlier at 6am to do his first of two loops on the day to survey the markings to ensure that runners could follow the course. He fixed a few spots that got torn down — presumably by wildlife overnight — and ensured another successful Loop.
Runners returned from a wide area
Runners came in from over 291 towns and cities from 22 different states plus England and Quebec. Runners registered from states as far away as Texas, Utah, Colorado, Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Georgia, Illinois, California, Florida, South Carolina, and Maryland.
The Town of Bedford (including villages of Katonah and Bedford Hills) had the most local representation. They were followed by Lewisboro (including villages of South Salem, Waccabuc, Goldens Bridge, and Cross River). Manhattan and Brooklyn were 3rd and 4th. Ridgefield CT was 5th for runner registrations. In addition to local towns in New York and Connecticut which were well represented, northern New Jersey has always sent a contingent of runners from towns like Madison, Ridgewood, Paramus, Montclair, Northvale, Westwood, Wyckoff, Verona, and Morristown.
Pre-Loop
Race Director Rob Cummings welcomed runners to the race at the starting line. He warned runners of the potential dangers on course such as hidden underwater hazards, roots, rocks, and of course mud. He advised runners to follow the marked course. That is the clearest & straightest path. “There are underwater and above water obstacles. Be safe out there – and keep an eye out to help your fellow runners, especially when crossing the rivers and through the mud.”
There were FOUR runners with birthdays on loop day: shout out to Liza Bullock (13), Frank Spinelli (46), Andrew Cosetti (16), and Tommy Nohilly (59).
Happy Birthday to the Rez!
Ward Pound Ridge Reservation has a big birthday too – it turns 100 this year!!! There is a 100th anniversary celebration set for Saturday MAY 17th – link to sign up for the event (10am-4pm events through the day) is here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ward-pound-ridge-reservations-100th-anniversary-celebration-tickets-1301361420039
Gratitude today
Gratitude: we are grateful to you, the runners. You make the event what it is. We are grateful to the volunteers who come out and make the event possible. Make sure to thank them at this race – and at any race you participate in. We are grateful to the park staff who keep the park beautiful and welcoming to all 365 days a year.
Parks are essential. They don’t just happen — they are kept beautiful by park workers! Support them here and around the USA and the world. Don’t take them for granted because they will disappear.
I am personally so grateful to my wife Ciorsdan and my kids and their partners: Griffin, Kathryn, Orion, Annalise, Sawyer, and Nicola; they each do a lot unseen to help put on these events. I want to thank my Mom & Dad, Patricia & John Cummings, who usually come each year to cheer on (and photograph) the runners, but who were too ill to make it to the race this year.
Finally, we are all grateful to Tony and Judy Godino for creating this event and shepherding it through the years and keeping it going. It is a lot of work — but it is a joy to see you all out here!
“Connecting beauty turns winter into spring…”
–Danny Martin
Danny Martin, the spiritual advisor of the loop, has spoken before the loop for over 20 years.
Hopefully his words and his spirit help make your run at the Loop — and runs beyond — more thoughtful. Danny gave his “Beauty Before Me…” blessing and then called out the race start.
[Click here to see another of Danny’s works: The Earth Charter by SoundWaters]
The Running Field
We had many returning Loop winners including two time winner Gerry Sullivan (and dad of 2022 and 2024 winner Eamonn Sullivan who was also running), first loop (1987) winner Joe Stanley who has never missed a Loop, 9-time winner Tommy Nohilly, and two time winner Will McDonough.
For the women’s race we had past winner Ann MacDonald, 2023 winner Gabrielle House, and last year’s winner Alexandra Benedict.
In addition to these runners, there were another 1,160 or so who toed the line — or close to the line — on Sunday.
The Race
The rain over the past 24 hours definitely moistened things up, but believe it or not this was overall a just a bit wetter than a typical running (at least on the non-submerged parts!). Probably a 6 on a mud scale of 1 to 10. [for reference, 2023 and 2007 were a 9.5]
At the second bridge, runners were treated to a surprise band rockin’ out to some serious tunes. “The Pell Hill Band” of Casey Stanford (Guitar), Layne Krulik (Drums), and Ellie Tsiropanas (Vocals) played selections from Led Zeppelin, Metallica, No Doubt, and many other rockin’ tunes for runners. These dedicated musicians currently attend John Jay Middle School. Our thanks to them for schlepping their kit 1/2 mile to the bridge — many thanks to their roadies for getting them there!
If anyone has photos or video of the band, please upload them to share!
The first water crossing was pretty close to normal level for this time of year, just below knee deep. The recent rain brought the water level closer to normal seasonal levels, rising 8 inches from their low level in the 24 hours prior to the loop. Things change quickly on the course!
Kimberly Bridge had Carol photographing runners as they exited the to the picnic grounds. Runners then headed towards “The Pit.” Our favorite Mariachi Band performed to boost the runners at the 1/3 point of the race and help with the climb.
The water stop is just under the halfway point on the course. Just after that refreshing water is the famous Mud Flats.
Pro tip: The best way through the mud is the “straight-on straight-through route.” No one has ever emerged from the mud flats without getting muddy. There was even a hidden Trail Camera taking photos and videos deeper into the mudflats. (photos to come!)
As the mudflats end, the bridge over the Waccabuc River comes up next (built by Dave Cope and Tony Godino over 38 years ago at the spot where the quarry truck bridge once stood — and the footbridge is still standing!)
The runners pass through Arsenault’s Alley and then up The Wall. This part of the trail is a 100 vertical foot 45 degree climb up an old sand quarry. At the top, bagpiper John Henken plays Scotland the Brave, Amazing Grace, and other songs which help pull up runners with the tones of the pipes.
After The Wall comes the Deer Hollow (DH) trail. The trails along this section are wider and allow for some passing for those who can make it happen. The trail then heads steadily uphill. This DH uphill is not super steep — and it does have some flatter sections — but it is a long climb between miles four and five.
After runners pass the highest point on the Loop course they have the treat of the beautiful Pine Forest which is noted as a favorite part of the Loop by many people because the footing is soft and sure, the trees make a beautiful tunnel, and it is mostly downhill for a half mile!
After the pine forest, the Pell Hill Band had moved across the bridge to a second location to rock on some more. Runners enjoyed rocking out on the pine forest downhill and turn.
The switchback at the bottom of the Pine forest trail leads to the river trail then Gary’s corner — and then the kestrel meadow.
The cheers of spectators at Splashdown can be heard by runners as they approach from about 1/4 mile away.
This year Gabe Palacio and Dawn Moore photographed runners as they crossed and exited Splashdown. Both Gabe and Dawn are professional photographers — and they got a lot of amazing shots of the crossing and the race!
The final 200 meters over the meadow some of the toughest in the Loop, especially with newly water-cooled leg muscles.
Full results are available here – below are some race highlights:
Sean Laidlaw of NYC won with a time of 40:02 and right on his heels just a fraction of a second slower was former Fox Lane standout Asa Friedrich. Last year’s winner Eamonn Sullivan of Cold Spring NY was third place 21 seconds behind.
In the women’s division, Alexandra Benedict won for the second year in a row setting a current course record time of 45:46.
The current course has been in place for 13 years ever since Hurricane Sandy blew down a large section of pine forest in 2012 and the course was re-directed in 2013 up a hill to avoid that blowdown area. (The prior course record which was broken on Sunday was 46:06 set by 3 time winner Laura Kline in 2014.)
Second place this year was taken by Lindsey Felling (50:07) and in third place former John Jay and NY State Cross Country champ Pippa Nuttall was just a few seconds behind in 50:13.
The youngest finisher was Layla Feller from Beacon NY at 7 years old. The oldest was Gangadhar Rocherolle of La Jolla CA at 84 years old.
Alexandra Benedict of Brooklyn, NY won her first Leatherman’s Loop with a time of 47:27. Margaret Coogan of Boston, MA came in a close second at 47:37. Joelle Reeves of Brooklyn, NY came in third at 49:21. Fourth and fifth to finish were Eva Muzichenko of Scarsdale (50:03) and Gabrielle House of Wilton, CT (50:28).
The oldest finishers of this year’s Loop were Gangadhar Rocherolle (84) of La Jolla, CA and Diane Zeccola (73) of Ridgefield, CT.
The youngest finishers was 7-year-old Layla Feller of Beacon NY and twins Alex and Pen Fisher (age 9) of Bedford, NY.
Loop veteran Joe Stanley completed his thirty-SEVENTH consecutive Loop — an unbroken streak from the first Loop in 1987 through 2025. This is an amazing accomplishment that keeps getting more amazing each year.
Other notable milestones: John Partilla ran his 32nd Loop. Tim Debany and John Krazneiwicz each ran their 30th Loops. Dan Wiley and Doug Goldblatt ran #27. Jim Kapp reached #27. Eddie “The Plumber” Donlon and Michael Markhoff each hit #24 this year. Joe Kapp and Erick Wilson hit #23 this year. Mark Stefanov, Jo Ann Hickey, and Kerry Tomson hit #22.
Gus Lesnevich, Paul Wooley, Christopher Post, and James Lavin hit the magic #20 Loops this year – a rarefied level rewarded with the “20+ Loops Club” very limited edition cap.
For a complete list of the “Muddiest Runners” check this page. The page is current through 2024 and will be updated with new inductees from 2025 within a few weeks when we run and confirm the numbers!
The Trail Mix Series
The Leatherman’s Loop 2025 is the second race in the 2025 Trail Mix series.
Next up in the Trail Mix is Spring Run the Farm at Muscoot Farm in Katonah, NY.
All runners who completed this Leatherman’s Loop and Mudders & Grunters in March have been automatically entered into the current Trail Mix series. Runners who finish 4 of the 7 races to complete the series are eligible for automatic Loop Lottery selection if they enter the 2026 Loop Lottery. See link for more details and links to other races in the series.
Volunteers
The race could not happen without 50+ volunteers on race day, pre-race, and post-race.
Our volunteer team is always ready to help out runners and spectators. When someone has an unexpected change of plans they are ready to help.
Thank you to each and every one who comes out to help! We have a page dedicated to recognizing our Volunteers here (updates coming for 2025!).
Photos –
IMPORTANT: We are looking for the guy with the waders from Brooklyn! We need your photos and video please!! (send email to leathermansloop@gmail.com ASAP. Thanks!!)
We have lots of photos shared by our “Official Loop 2025 Photographers” and others on and around the course. Thank you to everyone who shared their photo memories of the day!
You can become an official Loop photographer by taking photos of the Loop and sending them in to us.
If you have a lot of photos from the Loop, we’ll make you your own album at the link below and send you a coveted “Official Loop Photographer” long-sleeved t-shirt! Contact us at leathermansloop@gmail.com.
A summary of photos — by photographer and time/location — can be found here. Or you can click directly on our 2025 album site: https://leathermansloop.smugmug.com/2025.
We have many different vantage points — the start, the mud flats, the pit, splashdown, and others. Photo album link here.
If you have photos you would like to send us…
… the easiest way to get them directly to us is via this website link (https://leathermansloop.smugmug.com/upload/shzbMB/2025) where you can simply drag and drop the pictures. We have unlimited storage space at our photo site for photos or short videos.
Or you can send us links via Facebook or if you have your own albums on Instagram, Flickr, Picassa, or another photo site send us the link or tag #leathermansloop and @leathermansloop. We appreciate all of the photos and love looking through them!
If you have any feedback, please send us a note at leathermansloop@gmail.com. The only way we know to fix things is when we hear about things that went wrong.
Don’t feel shy about feedback — Your feedback is a gift you give to the runners next time around. Feedback is how we make the event better.
Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps
Once again we are indebted to the leadership and members of the Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps for standing by when medical help is needed during the event. We deeply appreciate the dedication of the volunteers who give their time to come tend to runners each year and help evacuate any injured runners.
Final Thanks!
Thanks again to Westchester County Parks and Ward Pound Ridge Reservation for hosting us for the 37th running of the Leatherman’s Loop.
Thank you all for coming out to run, volunteer, spectate, and support! We look forward to seeing many of you again at an upcoming race!
Peace,
Rob, Ciorsdan, and the Leatherman Harriers volunteers