Autumn Marathon

Leatherman’s Loop

On Sunday, I ran the 25th Annual Leatherman’s Loop - a 10km trail race that takes place in the beautiful Pound Ridge Reserve in northern Westchester County.  There are a number of unique things about the race:

• there isn’t much wilderness near NYC and a race with three stream crossings is a rarity;
• this is a completely runner-supported event which is directed by the races founders - there is neither corporate nor organizational sponsorship; and
• it’s very muddy.

I was hoping to have a photo to post here to demonstrate the last point, but unfortunately it’s inaccessible and will have to be added later.

One thing about trail races that those who are used to running on the roads must get used to is slow times. In fact, there is a lot of walking in trail running and I am learning that it should be used strategically.  My time at Leatherman’s was 1:08:43 compared with 58 minutes for a trail race last month in Van Cortlandt Park and 51 minutes for my most recent road 10k in Central Park.

Nevertheless, the weather was PERFECT (sunny, 50s), the trees were covered with a fresh, light spring green, and the experience was sublime.  Hope to be back again next year!