Leatherman’s Loop Founders Newsletter, Volume 5
When Caballo Blanco gave me the name “El Co-Padre” I knew that it came with expectations and responsibilities in terms of my role as a trail race facilitator. He brilliantly matched his love of trail running with the social needs of the Tarahumara People who live in and run the Copper Canyons of Mexico. His vision for a running race which could help to ease the day to day burdens of the people he loved became a reality.
Christopher McDougall’s best seller Born To Run pulls most of the story out of a very private and very guarded Caballo. He was not exactly the person in the pages of the book. Simply put, he was better. I will always do my best to honor his memory and his ways with everything that I do related to trail running and racing.
That being said, Rob Cummings and I and a couple of other trail race organizers have come up with a plan which would link four local races together and give runners the opportunity to compete and be scored in a “Trail Mix” circuit.
If enough of you are interested and like the idea this will happen. Shortly after the last race in the circuit Rob will post full results using cumulative times and an awards banquet will follow. There will be an overall winner for male and female runners as well as winners in each age/gender category.
Fabulous Four
- Where the Pavement Ends (registration link) – 4+ miles at Lake Windwing in Ridgefield, CT on Sunday, September 21st.
- Sarah Bishop Bushwhack (registration link) – 10K at Sal J. Prezioso Mountain Lakes Park in North Salem, NY on Sunday, September 28th.
- Run The Farm (registration link) – 5 miles at Muscoot Farm in Somers/Katonah, NY on Sunday, October 26th.
- Leatherman’s Loop (loop lottery info) – 10K at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River, NY on Sunday, April 26th, 2015
The kicker: Any runner who has asked to be tracked in the “Trail Mix” circuit and who registers to run in all three Fall Trail Mix races listed above will earn Guaranteed Lottery Selection for the Leatherman’s Loop in Spring 2015 to complete the series. You will still need to enter the Loop Lottery in January 2015 to register for the Loop — but you will be selected in the Loop Lottery.
(See our frequently asked questions and answers about the Trail Mix here)
Your response and feedback is needed
If you think that this is a good plan you simply need to respond to this newsletter and say that you are interested. Questions and feedback are welcome.
I am proud to say that I founded two of the races and played a role in bringing about the other two. The Loop was part of a twelve race series in the late 1980’s and participation involved travel in four states. These races are all within a ten mile radius. My hope is that my effort to fulfill my assigned responsibilities as a trail race facilitator will be taken to a new level.
Tony