The Leatherman's Loop 10k Trail Run is usually scheduled for the fourth Sunday in April each year.
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Thursday, June 24, 2010
Add your photos to the Leatherman’s Loop Flickr Photo Group
If you have photos and you use Flickr, please add your Loop shots (any year) to the Leatherman’s Loop photo group. The group can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1138165@N22/
If you are new to Flickr, you can sign up here: http://www.flickr.com/welcome/42604520/4c91f494a8/
Posted by leathermansloop on 06/24 at 10:39 AM
Monday, April 26, 2010
Loop Recap 2010
Where to begin? With the mini-monsoon that turned the mud flats into chocolate pudding? The Leatherman waiting in the woods? Atka the wolf who looked ready to howl but decided you all were doing pretty well on your own? Not to mention running with Caballo Blanco and finding out the additional meaning of “Water Stop.” And how about that t-shirt by hot new local talent Jim Jinkins?
The day started out early for the crowd of over 1,000 runners and spectators. It was a wet, rainy 45 degrees at 6:30am at the Meadow. The teepee was set up on Friday and held the course map. The course was marked Saturday. The food tent tempted with donuts that had to wait until after the race… well, maybe just one. Nope, bad idea… The lower lot was filled by 7:45am and the mowed grass area mostly filled by 8:45am. The crowds ebbed and flowed at the showmobile as runners picked up bibs and shirts then retreated to their cars for some final dry moments.
The bagpiper started playing around ten to 9 and runners heeded the call to the starting line. After calling to order the annual meeting of “el lazo de cuero hombre,” Race Director Mike Paletta introduced some honored runners and special guests: Joe Stanley and Rick Hubbell who have run every single Leatherman’s Loop since 1987 (that’s 24 including today), Bob Goldblatt (22 Loops), and Doug Goldblatt (20 Loops). He also recognized a family that made a special trip from Omaha, Nebraska to run in the Loop: brothers Eric & Zach Leatherman, their wives Ryann Wonders and Traci Clevenger, plus their dad, Andy Leatherman. Another brother, Daniel, was scheduled to come but unfortunately finals got in the way. There’s always next year…
Tony “El Copadre” Godino gave a shout out to Ali Hamson who registered from the UK but had her plans foiled by an Icelandic volcano—she wanted to tell her running partner Susan to run like the wind! Tony then introduced the spiritual director of the Loop: Danny Martin. Danny led the Navajo/Irish blessing that has become a tradition at the beginning of each Loop.
After Danny’s inspirational words, our next guest was introduced to howls of approval. Atka is an Arctic Gray wolf and a traveling ambassador wolf from the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, NY just outside the borders of the Reservation. The Wolf Center is the preeminent facility in the eastern United States for the captive breeding and pre-release of endangered wolf species including the Mexican Gray Wolf and the Red Wolf.
Our featured guest starter, Micah “El Caballo Blanco” True was introduced last and started the Loop without much hesitation. And the crowd was off!
Tommy Nohilly placed first in the men’s division, winning his 6th Leatherman’s Loop. Margaret Butler placed first in the women’s division in her first Loop. The oldest finisher was John Young (76) and the youngest was Orion “Caballito” Cummings (8). The youngest Loop runner Sunday was 6 years old but he turned back at around the mud flats—we’ll be looking for you next year Dante!
Runners contributed 636 pounds of food to the Community Center of Northern Westchester. The community center sends their thanks!
There were some injuries - we’d like to hear from those unable to finish to make sure they are OK. Please contact us via email.
The rest of the story is written by you in the comments to this post and others ... let us know how your run went after the start! There are 1000 stories out there waiting to be told. We are starting to gather photos in a meta photo post but it will take a bit of time. Send your photo links via email or in the comments - thanks to those who have already sent them in!
See this post: http://www.leathermansloop.org/index.php/site/comments/2010_loop_photo_link_page/ for photos and videos.
And this one: http://www.leathermansloop.org/index.php/site/comments/2010_results/ for results.
Follow the Loop on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/leathermansloop
“Run Free!”
2010 Loop Photo Link Page
Thanks to all of the Loop runners, spectators, and volunteers yesterday. A big shout out to the photographers and videographers who documented the Loop in very challenging weather.
Below are links to the photos and videos we have received to date (send yours via email, send a link to your online album, or post the link in the comments below!):
Carol Gordon returned this year and got photos at the start, Kimberly Bridge, and Splashdown! Great shots again! (updated!)
Tom Casper came and took photos for the first time at the Loop! Let’s hope he comes back next year too! (updated!)
Steve Mele sent this link to his shutterfly album.
Matt Ammer sent us his photos taken on the trail.
Steve Lovas sent a Loop video!
An article and photos from the Bimbler’s Sound group.
Timothy Burgher sent this album featuring pics of the 3rd overall finisher Justin Kenney enjoying his well deserved strudel.
Lesli Hiller sent us this race day video that starts with photos and continues with video on the trail.
James Lavin sent a link to his album with race shots and featuring his daughter Leore who finished 1st in the 19 and under women’s division!
Great collection of shots from Lindsay Matthews!
Added 4/27 - Pre-Loop and Post-Loop photos from Rob Cummings.
Added 4/27 - Aarti Comstock sent these post-Loop photos
Added 4/27 - Rick Rethorn sent a link to his Facebook album with photos of the Loop.
Added 4/27 - Charles Atherton sent us a large collection of splashdown shots plus some at the start of the Loop.
In the purple heart category we have several reports in of injuries from a twisted (possibly broken?) ankle to a broken finger and knocked out tooth. Please check in like Dave below (tooth & finger injury - 3rd in his division even after a nasty fall!) so we know you are on your way to recovery.
“Easy success is soon forgotten.” -Jean Renoir
Friday, April 16, 2010
Founder’s Newsletter: Humble Beginnings
In his Canticle to the Cosmos series, quantum physicist Brian Swimme stresses the need for each of us to know our “story.” He takes us back twenty billion years to the “original fireball” in an effort to help us “regain our reverence for the earth and all life.” To help us “activate our human sensitivities to the world around us.” To “regenerate our spirit” and “tremble with awe at the mysteries before us.”
Sounds like a plan.
This writing will attempt to give you parts of the story of the Leatherman’s Loop event while being mindful of it’s mysteries and it’s spirit. It is not required reading. Might be a good time to lace up the shoes and hit the trails.
Back Country Bushwack
In the mid 1980’s, Mickey Yardis directed a five mile trail race called The Back Country Bushwack. It took place on a private estate in Greenwich CT owned by Fuzzy Perry and was a huge success. Dave Cope and I were anxious to promote the new Leatherman’s Loop event and saw an opportunity to solicit the Bushwackers. The big problem was that Mickey was (and still is) a friend. It just didn’t seem right to plaster all of the cars at his event with Leatherman’s entry forms. Tim Parshall (long time tee shirt artist) came up with a solution in the form of a paper-mache moose head. I was able to finish the race and position myself at the end of Fuzzy’s driveway with five hundred entry forms. As the cars exited the estate after the race, they saw a curious sign that said “Stop for Moose” and took the race flyers from the Moose. The Loop was off and running.
Some key players
Dave Cope—Founder. Course designer. long time co-director. Second place finisher behind Joe Stanley in 1987.
Ken Littlefield—Course designer, Earned belt buckles by completing five 100 mile trail races. Known for legendary toughness.
Mickey Yardis—Bushwack race director. Long time director for numerous running events in Greenwich Ct..
Liz Cope—Long time co-director of the Loop.
Jim Gerweck—Editor at large for Running Times Magazine. Long time coach, trail running advocate, and race timer. Friend of the Loop.
Judy Godino—Long Time co-director of the Loop
Tony Godino—Founder. Course designer. Long time co-director.
In 2008, the old and tired team of directors turned the event management over to Mike and Kate Paletta with tremendous help from Rob Cummings. The Loop is in good hands.
The Meadow Oak
Loop participants often talk about the amazing spirit that is always present at the event. I believe that some of that spirit comes right through the root system of the Meadow Oak. Yes it was brought down in a sudden windstorm nearly three years ago but that doesn’t seem to matter. It chose to be the finishing point for the race. There was never any discussion.
Shortly after it was brought down, two separate groups of Native American people came to do ceremony next to its trunk. Altars, drumming, sage burning, chanting, song. The works. What was that all about? Where did they come from? How did they know? Hundreds of remembrances and condolences were hand written into a spiral notebook by non native folks. It is good to be open to the magic that comes to us through nature.
The Teepee
Teepees were never used by the Native People in the Northeast. They are Plains Indian dwellings. We pitch one every year at the Loop and allow it to serve as a symbol of alternative ways of relating to our environment. My spirit soars every race day morning at sun up when I catch my first glimps of the teepee in the field. My hope is that some of you are similarly moved.
The people who roamed the land which is now the Pound Ridge Reservation called themselves Wiechquaeskecks. They were a small sub group of the great Algonquin nation and shared the territory with other groups such as the Tankitekes, the Wapping, and the Manhattan. After nearly a ten thousand year presence, most of them were killed by diseases brought in by the early Dutch and English settlers. By 1644 their numbers had been reduced to about 700 and they took refuge for the winter in three long houses in a place called Nanichiestack. Loosely translated it means “a place of safety.” Under a full moon on the night of February 22nd, 1644 they were massacred by English mercenaries hired by the Dutch. The men were shot as they came out to defend those inside. The women and children and elders all died after the order was given to set fire to the structures. All, including the children, died in total silence.
Part of me regrets feeling the need to share that sad piece of history with all of you. You need to know that the trails that you will be running, they once ran. The streams that you will be crossing, they once fished. The fields where you will gather, they once farmed.
Enter Caballo Blanco
This will be very brief. My suggestion here is that each of you get your hands on a copy of the book BORN TO RUN by Chris MacDougall and give it a read. You will get to know Caballo but more importantly you will get to know the Raramuri people and their amazing history as legendary runners. At the very least take a look at the YouTube video called Super Athletes of the Sierra Madre.
Danny Martin
Some of us are blessed by having Danny as a friend. All of you should get to know this amazing man who serves as the Spiritual Advisor for the Loop. He is a scholar who is deeply involved with family, community and environmental concerns. Each year he gifts us his pre-race blessing which sets the tone for the challenge ahead.
Before Will Harlan won the 2009 Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon he was offered some words of wisdom from a Raramuri (Tarahumara) elder. Short and to the point.
“Observe the ceremonies”
“Protect the forest”
“Run”
Danny manages to incorporate each of those pieces into his life. Like the old Lorax, he speaks for the trees and the air and the water. He has asked me on as a “Spirit Ambassador” to assist with some events that are still in the planning stages. Great things to come and I will update all of you who are interested as they develop.
Final Thoughts
I apologize to any of you who thought that the Leatherman’s Loop was just another muddy trail race and didn’t see the relevance in most of what you just read. I have searched for the exact location of Nanichiestawack for many years and will continue to search. The quest has become part of who I am. Much in the same way, the Loop has worked it’s way into my psyche. I have lived long enough to feel comfortable in expressing myself in an emotional unguarded manner. I hold each of you in high regard and consider you friends.
Bless you all,
Tony
Friday, March 05, 2010
Groups at the Loop in 2010
A big part of the fun on Leatherman’s Loop day is the groups that come to participate. They range from families to work groups to causes. This year is no different.
They come with custom t-shirts, dressed up in suits and ties, or simply ride together. If you have any photos you’d like to share of your group, please send it to us at leathermansloop at gmail.com.
Below are some photos of groups:
Three generations of the Offermann family ran last year and are ready to go again this year!
Team Doug is running in memory of Doug Gorman.
The George C. Fund team is running in memory of George Chatzoupolous.
The Essex Running Club hails from Essex County, NJ.
The Barleycorn Athletic Club.
The Cool Runners:
Some other groups we know of are below - send us photos!
The Bimbler’s Sound team joins us from Guilford CT (and the surrounding areas) and has a great series of races up there each year.
The Montefiore team comes from Montefiore Medical Center in NYC.
If you are running (or have run) in a group at the Loop, shoot us a photo of your group/team in shirts or outfits and we will update this post with your photo.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Loop T-Shirt History
We’ve collected a bunch of of logos and t-shirt designs from the Leatherman’s Loop. More shirts to be added later! Many of the t-shirts were designed and drawn by longtime loop participant and artist Tim Parshall. Last year the shirt was designed and painted by local artist and teacher Heather Kranz.
They are now in order from 2002-2009. Some years have multiple colors. The first image is from the course map display built by 20+ year loop runner Bill Bradsell.
We also know that there are a number of custom t-shirts that groups have made over the years especially for the Leatherman’s Loop. Groups or individuals who have crafted special t-shirts (or other garments) please send us your logo or a shot of your creation—either close-up or modeled by a member (or members) of your group.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Submit Photos in your Flickr collection to Leathermansloop Group
Check the Flickr.com group site ‘leathermansloop’ here. You can submit your photos to the leathermansloop group from your own flickr account if you have one. You can sign up for free at flickr.com if you don’t have an account. Check out the older photos that are posted up there now.
If you are interested in the 2009 photos that various runners and loop supporters sent to us after the 2009 race, check this article here: http://www.leathermansloop.org/index.php/site/comments/2009_photos/
Thanks to all of the photographers in 2009 and in prior years who have contributed to the archives in these pages and throughout the web.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Loop 2009 Article in Bedford Record Review
Leatherman’s Loop, if Grueling, Provides Thrills
Bedford Record Review • May 1, 2009 • Cross River, NY • Front Cover article
by Don Heppner • Photos by Jack Goldberg and Trudy Wood
(The second page is scanned below, click images to see larger size scan.)
( ⇒ click here for full article...)Posted by leathermansloop on 05/17 at 03:49 AM
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Group Photo Gallery - Submit Your Group’s Photo!
The Loop is popular with groups of all sizes. There are running clubs, co-workers, school friends, local clubs, families, and combinations of all of these that run the loop every year. We’d like to highlight them in this article. No group is too small!
If you have a group photo from this year’s loop (or if you can dig up one from a prior loop), send it in to us with the name of your group and the names of the folks pictured.
If your group has a pied piper, a shared story, or a particular inspiration or passion, send it as well along with as much background information as you’d like. You can send it all to us at leathermansloop [at] gmail.com. Groups will be added below, click “full article” link to see all groups.
| The Essex Running Club featuring from left to right: Rich Unis, Chris Jaworski, Aileen O’Rourke, and Debbie McNally. |  |
( ⇒ click here for full article...)
Posted by leathermansloop on 05/13 at 04:10 PM
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
2009 Photos
Wow! We have received lots of photos and are working to put them all up online. Send us your photos or links to photos. Our email address is at the end of this article.
Here is a (relatively) small selection of the photos we have gotten (around 300). We have many more and will update this article with all links and photos received. If there are any in this collection you would like to see the original image of, please let us know via the comments or via email (specify the image number in your note).
If you are looking for the 2009 Results, they are here. For a race recap, check this link.
The list of photographers is long and growing (click their names to see their photo collections): Ciorsdan Conran, Carol Gordon, David Gordon, Diane Bradsell, John Cummings, Kerry Ducey, Steve Inbox, Christina Cameris, Lesli Hiller (local album), Rob Cummings, Bruce Schempp (and the Barleycorn Athletic Club), Robert Haley (video), Jerry Turk , Carolyn Rebeck, Gregg Abramson, Zhara Jones, [send photos to get your name recognized here!]. THANK YOU for sharing your artistry and fun!
The Bimbler’s Sound group sent a link to photos and video on their website.
Robert Haley sent in some video taken pre-race and on the trails during the Loop. Once we figure out how to put it in an album we will post the clips as well.
( ⇒ click here for full article...)Posted by leathermansloop on 04/29 at 03:58 PM
Sunday, April 26, 2009
2009 Loop Recap
Cross River, NY • April 26, 2009
[Don’t forget to check the comments below and share your experiences!]
Veteran runners near the center of the starting line for the 2009 Loop.
Click to see this wide shot with some more detail.
Records all around today! We had not only a temperature record for the Loop but the unseasonably hot weather set all time high records across the region. Click here for complete race times.
Race records were set too! Tommy Nohilly won his 5th Leatherman’s Loop. Kerry Arsenault won her 7th Loop today. Congratulations to both on exceptional feats especially in the heat! We also had a record number of participants - over 900 runners crossed the finish line.
The youngest runners of the day were Orion “Junior Mint” Cummings (7) of South Salem and Sophia Meloni (8) of New York City. Both crossed the finish line ahead of their parents! There were a record number of kids 12 and under—15 total—running the Loop today.
The masters men on the course today were John Young (75), Ian Beck (73), and Donald Offerman (71). Multi-Loop runners Carol Dillon and Shirley Iselin represented the masters women.
We had a few runners who succumbed to the unseasonal heat and would like to hear from them. [Edit: two have checked in and both are feeling better.]
( ⇒ click here for full article...)
Posted by leathermansloop on 04/26 at 07:58 PM
Thursday, February 26, 2009
2008 Loop Highlights
Conditions were the driest in years - mud is always there but it was harder to find this year than in the past 7 or so years. Running on his 41st birthday, Tommy Nohilly of Katonah won top male finisher, his 4th Leatherman’s Loop win, with a time of 39:01. Top female finisher was first time loop runner Kristin Simonsen of Norwalk, CT with a time of 48:02. Overall male and female winners received a gift basket. Top 3 finishers in the age categories received the coveted pies. Detailed results are available here.
Click here to visit a photo gallery from the 2008 race.
Click here to view other runners & loop enthusiasts photos.
Posted by leathermansloop on 02/26 at 05:56 AM
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Doug Gorman Memorial Mud Flats
Doug was excited. It was April 23, 2006, this was his first Loop and it was going to be a wet one. Well, all of the Leatherman’s Loops are wet ones, but this one combined an already soaked course with more torrential rain in the forecast. During the 12 hours prior to the race two inches had fallen and there would be an additional inch before the last runner crossed the finish line. Couple that with a soggy week full of rain in the days leading up to the loop and you have a recipe for an unusual soaking.
Part of the Loop’s allure has always been its water crossings where runners trade the worn trail for uncertain footfalls in the cold Cross River. But on this day the water’s increased volume and speed convinced race organizers rerouting the Splashdown Crossing to the safety of a small, wooden bridge. Skiers love the fresh powder, surfers seek the perfect wave, golfers want that elusive hole in one—Leatherman’s Loop runners seek the mud.
( ⇒ click here for full article...)Posted by leathermansloop on 01/31 at 04:59 AM
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Old New York Times Snippet
Here’s a snippet about the Leatherman’s Loop from the New York Times’ Photographer’s Journal series. This one is showing a great photo of the 2004 Loop. Click to see piece. Unfortunately they called it a 5k race when it is actually a 10k which still happens these days. Overheard after the 2008 loop “Wow, the trails really slow you down, I can’t believe it took me 1:04 to do a 5k.” ... “Chris, it’s a 10k” ... “Ohhhh”
( ⇒ click here for full article...)Posted by leathermansloop on 01/25 at 06:12 PM
Saturday, January 10, 2009
2008 Photo Links - Send Us Your Photos
Here are some photo links from the 2008 Leatherman’s Loop. Some of the services require you to sign in before viewing the photos. I have noted these with an asterisk (*) before the link.
( ⇒ click here for full article...)Posted by leathermansloop on 01/10 at 07:01 AM
