Dear Runners,
Thanks for coming out for a run on the trails of Ward Pound Ridge Reservation this past Sunday.
The third annual Raven Rocks Run went smoothly with nearly 250 runners participating in the 10k trail race. Runners from 5 states were represented -NY, CT, NJ, MA, RI plus one runner from Washington state and two international runners – one from Mexico and one from the Czech Republic. The draw of the race continues to expand!
If you have any race related feedback, please let us know using the contact form — or send us an email at ravenrocksrun@gmail.com.
Results
Complete race results are posted at https://ravenrocksrun.org/results/2017-results/
The overall men’s winner was Didier Morelli of Ridgewood, NY who finished in 45:58. He was just one second ahead of Luis Francisco of Mahopac (45:59) in this extremely hard fought race. Mount Kisco resident Virgil Bretz (48:45) was third overall male finisher.
The overall women’s winner was Jennifer Morello of Wilton, CT in 56:59. Chelsea Ellis of Rye Brook was second overall (1:00:15). Britt Benn of Croton-on-Hudson (1:02:33) was a few runners behind at 3rd overall.
The youngest runner, 8 year old Rita Haitoff, finished just ahead of her mom, Karen Haitoff.
Dan Chasan took the pie for the 70-79 age group and was the oldest male runner in the race. Elaine Dill took the pie for the 60-69 age group and was the oldest female runner in the race.
Volunteers
A big event like this is dependent on the help of many volunteers. A huge thank you goes out to all of the registration helpers, photographers, course marshals, course setters, pre-race runners, announcers, water table volunteers, sweeps, and course clean up crew.
Special thanks to my wife, Ciorsdan. For always remembering the things I forgot, especially on race morning. Tony Godino & Judy Godino – without your help and guidance via working with you on Leatherman and Run The Farm over the past (nearly) 10 years, we would not have been able to pull this together. Lee Willett, Peter Muurseep, Alan Wegener, and Joe Cloidt, who pre-ran the course at 6:30am to make sure the markings were set.
So many other volunteers helped out. Check the photos for those behind the registration table, setting up the fire pit, staffing the water table, and helping direct parking.
Parks Department
Thanks to Jeff Main, Chase, and Mike — all from the Westchester County Parks Department. So many aspects of the race would have been difficult or impossible without their help. And they do this day in and day out!
Friends of Trailside
Forty one runners joined in 2017 as members of the Friends of Trailside Museum and Ward Pound Ridge Reservation via the race website. If you haven’t already received it, you will be getting your membership information shortly from them. You can still join online – or fill out and send in the membership form here. Mindy and AJ stand ready to make your trip to Trailside memorable!
The Friends of Trailside is a 501(c)3 organization and is dedicated to promoting a better appreciation and understanding of the natural world and the relationship between people and the land. Through its support of the Trailside Nature Museum, operated by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Conservation of the County of Westchester, the Friends provide financial and volunteer aid for exhibits, school, and education programs. For more information on the Friends group — including how to join — click here: http://friendsoftrailside.org/
The Fire Tower
We remain keen on restoring the Cross River Mountain Fire Tower to the park. The Fire Tower stood from 1927 through the early 1980s when it was removed without county permission and dismantled. Together with the parks department and many supporters, we would like to correct this historic error and create a beacon that will draw visitors to the top of the park for incredible vistas of the surrounding countryside. If you are interested in this endeavor, we want to hear from you and enlist your support (email us at ravenrocksrun@gmail.com).
LVAC
The Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps was out and ready to heal on Sunday. Thanks to Captain Dan Murtha and the rest of the volunteers.
LVAC has been a steadying and very helpful presence at the Leatherman’s Loop for years. It was great to have them back at Raven Rocks!
Photos
We have posted photos from our fantastic team of shutterbugs here: https://leathermansloop.smugmug.com/Raven-Rocks-Run/2017.
Thanks to all of the photographers! There’s plenty of room for more photos if you want to share yours at our runner upload gallery here: https://leathermansloop.smugmug.com/upload/7p2zqK/runner
Trail Mix
The Raven Rocks Run was the final event in the 2017 Trail Mix Trail Race series (http://trailmixseries.org). The series was in its fourth year in 2017.
We have published the final Trail Mix results for the series at the series website.
Congratulations to Kirby Mosenthal and Luis Francisco for taking the 2017 overall series for female and male runners. More details and age group winners can be found at the links above.
Thanks to the other Trail Mix race directors for having another great and expanded 2017 series — we are looking forward to the 2018 Trail Mix Series — get ready to go on tour!
Sunday Run group
We have a dedicated group of trail runners who meet every Sunday morning at 8am (http://sundayruns.org) to run trails in and around northern Westchester and occasionally beyond. All year round — all paces — all welcome! We never leave anyone behind and encourage new trail runners to try out the trails.
Many of our regular sunday runners are race directors and volunteers for the Trail Mix and many other local races. It is a very fun and welcoming group. Our group runs include course checks for many local races including the “Looper Bowl” running of the Leatherman’s Loop course on Super Bowl Sunday. We also started a winter group run of the Raven Rocks Run course — called the “Raven Lunatic” — that takes runners on the Raven Rocks course after a fresh snowfall.
In Closing
Thanks for coming — and sticking around until the end of this writeup. Hope to see you on the trails!
Rob Cummings
Raven Rocks Run Race Director