You have got to love any race where you win a pie instead of a medal.

You’ve also got to love any race that has a scale model of the course, complete with the names of runners of note ( including ‘Buck’ Farro who was once famously knocked flying by a deer during the race).

Add a Mariachi band, A Bagpiper, water crossings and the legend of a Vagabond who slept in caves on a continuous wandering loop and you’ve got something utterly unique.

You’ve got a race that’s My kind of Stupid

Now in its 33rd year the Leathermans Loop 10k is the brainchild of the infectiously enthusiastic Tony Godino and Dave Cope, Ken Littlefield, and Pete Thompson .

The Loop was envisioned as a fun, relaxed, challenging, yet “survivable” cross country/steeplechase event.

The Loop founders wanted to incorporate their favorite trail features they had come to love in their many runs at ‘the Rez’ ( as they call it). Some runners believe the seeds of the current “Mud Races” and obstacle course runs were planted in 1987 in this race. The Loop is not really an obstacle course in the same sense as those newer event races but it does have its share of challenges and features, but all are natural: the rivers, the mud, roots and rocks, sand hills, downed trees, stone walls, and slippery slopes are just some of what runners encounter.

After meeting Tony on my 365 mile loop following in the footsteps of the Old Leatherman this year Tony and I formed an idea that it would be fun to have me ‘out on the course’ for the race this year…… dressed as The Old Leatherman after whom the race is named.

Not so much a ‘Woodstock’ but more of a ‘Leatherstock’

Things are definitely gloriously out of hand when there is race merchandise in the form of a Leatherman Loop golf ball. There were various versions of the T Shirts too, and veterans with caps that proudly displayed how many decades they had been doing this race. I turned up the day before at race registration for a little run round the reservation with some of the Leatherman Harriers to visit the Old Leathermans Cave by day ( my last visit had been in the dark as part of my 365 mile Fastest Known Time Record).

In early 2010 Rob Cummings started a Sunday Morning Trail Running group (aka the Leatherman Harriers Sunday Runners) to meet and have a group run on the trails every Sunday. The Sunday Runner group has been organized since 2012 by Lee Willett. It has grown into a fantastic and varied group of trail runnerswho run the local trails (and farther afield) all year long. Some of the hardiest of the Harriers pre-run the Loop and other Trail Mix races on the mornings of the races to make sure the course is set and ready for runners. 

Ward Pound Ridge

The 4,315-acre park makes Ward Pound Ridge Reservation the county’s largest park. With its varied terrain and landscapes and miles of wooded trails, the park provides a variety of activities in all seasons. There are areas for picnicking, lean-to camping, fishing and cross-country skiing. Its also famous for one of the many caves that the Old Leatherman slept in .

Originally part of Cortlandt Manor, the reservation was settled by farmers from Connecticut. The name Pound Ridge is credited to the Indians who originally lived in the area. They had a local pound in which they kept game on the hoof until they needed it for food. The Indians built an enclosure of saplings driven into the ground and drove their game into the pound.

The weather was rather ‘British’ on the day but it didn’t stop everyones smiles. Whilst the runners gathered at the start I snuck off and got changed and was dropped out about half way round the course to start my ‘amble’ dressed as the Old Leatherman.

A Navajo Prayer

The race starts, not with a horn or starter gun but with a Navajo Prayer.

With beauty before me I walk
With beauty behind me I walk
With beauty above me I walk
With beauty around me I walk

And with Tonys blessing the runners were off……completely ignoring

The first part of the race is a mad scramble for position as the path is narrow so runners jostle for a position as a wide field becomes a running column. Over hills and water crossings and through mud flats the runners are treated to a Mariachi Band and Bagpipes at key hill climbs. The course is stunning and carefully picked to give you the best that the reservation has to offer.

The Old Leatherman – Hobo High Fives

I was deeper into the woods and past the worst of the water and mud during the race. Dressed in an impressive replica Old Leatherman Suit kindly leant to me by Plymouth Historical Society I had avoided being spotted pre race and had hatched a mischievous plan with Tony to surprise runners on the course by simply ambling along the route towards the finish.

I was treated to a huge number of ‘Woah its the Leatherman’ from people as they ran past, as well as ‘Hobo High Fives’ and various greetings in French ( he used to carry a French Prayerbook). Lots of people stopped for selfies too.

Sports Leather – The Hobos Lycra

It was estimated that the Old Leathermans suit weighed 60lbs. Even on a cold rainy April day I was very hot very quickly from the effort of simply walking in the hot and heavy gear. Having walked in his actual footsteps along his entire 365 mile route ( but dressed in more modern fabrics) what struck me during the race was just how heavy his gear was to wear and move in.

As the course broke free off the last section of woods and crossed open fields the 1600 runners splashed through the final river crossing much to the huge cheer of onlookers who assembled to laugh and enjoy just how wet and muddy people got. The river was swollen from the rain and there was even a rope to help runners basically swim across.

I ambled back across the line with a new PLB ( Personal Leather Best) for a 10k of about 1hr 40mins. The top finishing times for this course are insane given how tough the course is. Will McDonough crossed the line in UNDER 40 mins and a fifteen year old called Eamonn Sullivan came third with a sub 40 min time as well. My Fiance Shona came in 7th fastest women for her age group too. This race attracts some of the fastest trail runners in the state as well as being a super fun event for the rest of us.

At the finish area I gulped lots of coffee ( in keeping with the Leatherman who had bowls of it when he visited towns) and chatted with people and took pictures. Unlike most races instead of getting a medal you got a bagel, or a doughnut or a pie. This was my kind of race.

This is running for your soul not Strava. Its joyous and hilarious and fun.

The Old Leatherman would have hated every element of this race, people running too fast, the crowds, the noise and the photos but he would have loved the bottomless coffee and food. Although the landscape has changed from farmland to woodland in the 130 years since he passed away he would have recognized a spirit and joy and generosity in the people there that he was greeted with when he was alive. I saw a collection being made for food for local charities as a great example.

There are plenty of facilities and easy parking so the race is perfect for runners and those coming to cheer their friends and family on. The race makes a huge positive contribution to the community and Nature Preserve too. The Old Leatherman kept coming back in a loop during his lifetime and I suspect I may well be making an annual pilgrimage here too from now on….. I might just give the leather a miss next year and actually run it.

You can find out more and sign up for next year here

There is also a superb Documentary about the Race here