Draft:Leathermans Loop
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|  |
| Leatherman’s Loop | |
|---|---|
| Date | Last Sunday in April |
| Location | Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Cross River, New York, U.S. |
| Event type | Trail running |
| Distance | 10 km (6.2 mi) |
| Official site | https://leathermansloop.org |
The Leatherman’s Loop is a 10-kilometre (6.2 mi) trail race held each spring at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Westchester County, New York. Founded in 1987, it is one of the longest-running trail events in the northeastern United States and attracts more than 1,300 entrants annually.[1] *Runner’s World* describes the race as “trail-running’s Woodstock,” noted for its mudflats, river crossings and 23-metre “Sandy Hill” climb.[1]
Background
[edit]The event is named after the 19th-century wanderer known as the Leatherman, whose 365-mile circuit included caves in present-day Pound Ridge. Four local runners—Tony Godino, Dave Cope, Ken Littlefield and Pete Thompson—mapped an off-road loop that mirrored part of the vagabond’s route, launching the first race on April 26, 1987 with 96 starters.[2]
Course
[edit]The single-loop course begins in the Meadow Lot of Ward Pound Ridge Reservation (elev. 140 m), winds through pine forest, two river fords, a mudflat known as the “Bog,” and ascends the sandstone bluff nicknamed “The Quarry Climb,” finishing back at the Meadow after ~110 m of cumulative ascent.[3]
- **Water crossings:** Runners twice ford the Cross River, knee- to waist-deep in normal spring flow.
- **Mudflats:** A 400 m stretch of black-mud peat that has spawned the unofficial slogan “Mud loves company.”
- **Sandy Hill:** A 75-foot (23 m) near-vertical sand climb at kilometre 5.
Traditions
[edit]A Navajo “Blessing of the Earth” poem—recited by the starter while runners form a circle—is performed before every race.[1] Finishing medals are slices of cedar branded with the race logo.
Participation and registration
[edit]The field is capped at 1,600 and sells out within hours when registration opens in January.[4] Proceeds support the Trailside Museum and park stewardship projects.
Media coverage and reception
[edit]- Runner’s World* praised the event’s “communal spirit and playful toughness,” while *Westchester Magazine* lists it among the county’s signature outdoor experiences.[1][5] Local newspaper the *Journal News* highlighted the race’s growth from 100 finishers in 1987 to more than 1,300 by 2010.[6]
Notable performances
[edit]Because conditions vary widely from year to year, the race does not maintain official course-record status. The fastest recorded time is 35 min 23 s by Ben Nephew in 2008; the women’s best is 42 min 11 s by Olympian Kerry Arsenault in 1998.[7]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Gerweck, Jim (September 1, 2003). "The Leatherman's Loop: The Athletic Equivalent of Jazz". Runner's World. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ "History – The Leatherman's Loop". LeathermansLoop.org. September 28, 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ "About the Loop". LeathermansLoop.org. November 23, 2010. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ "Westchester's Hidden Gems: Outdoors". Westchester Magazine. April 2014. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ "Who Was Westchester's Legendary Leatherman?". Westchester Magazine. February 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ "Track of Mud: Leatherman's Loop Draws Record Field". The Journal News (Lohud.com). February 14, 2010.
- ^ "Results Archive". LeathermansLoop.org. September 24, 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
Category:Trail running competitions Category:Sports in Westchester County, New York Category:10K runs Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1987 Category:1987 establishments in New York (state)
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