Markings
Race course markers will mark the trail route using; marking tape, flour, yellow caution tape and occasionally placing volunteers at troublesome intersections.
NOTE: It is the responsibility of the runner/participant to take note of all intersections and markings. It is very easy to run along a mountain pathway and be absorbed by the beauty, your rhythm and effort, or the conversation of fellow runners and not take notice of important markings and intersections.
An attempt will be made by the course markers to draw your attention to an upcoming intersection by placing a number of ribbons on the side of the upcoming turn just prior to the intersection and at the intersection, placing a number of ribbons so that you can easily see the direction to go.
NOTE: If you go past an intersection and do not see ribbons, return to the last intersection to see if missed a turn.
Generally ribbons are placed along a trail race route at least every 5 minutes of running. This is to give you, as a trail runner, confidence in your running.
NOTE: If you have gone more than this without noticing a marker, you have likely failed to see the previous marker (see absorbed in the note above) and should be taking note of where you are and/or possibly returning to the last seen marker or intersection.
Many times the race course will continue on past other small, insignificant trail intersections. Even here, race course markers will try to place a marker in clear sight of the path to follow. Most “T” or other possibly confusing intersections will be marked using white flour on the ground to show the turning direction, and /or have yellow caution tape laid across the ground in the wrong direction.
NOTE: We do not tie tape across a trail to block access, as all trails remain open to other users, and if torn down, these ribbons now look confusingly like direction markers in the wrong direction.
Most ribbons marking the trail and intersections are placed at convenient locations for both the trail course marker as well as for the clean up/sweep. Ribbons will for the most part & whenever possible are placed in line of sight for the runner/participant. Mostly they are placed within 2-3 feet of the ground because trail runners tend to look down to watch their footing however, they are also placed higher at times to give you a clear distant vision of the trail ahead.
NOTE: Course markers will try to make the correct trails easy to follow with visible ribbons but as a “mountain trail runner” you should train yourself to be aware of your surroundings, where you are, where you came from and take notice of any markings on route.