Our way — but not necessarily the best way
There are plenty of great ways to mark a course. This write-up is in no way meant to suggest that our way is better than another way.
On the contrary, we believe stylized course-marking approaches are just one of the many idiosyncrasies that make every race unique. The Plain 100 doesn’t even have course markings!
Philosophy
We take a moderated approach to course markings. We want the route to be readily navigable but, at the same time, not have the beauty of the landscape corrupted by pink ribbons.
Types of markings
We mark the Wyoming Range 100 with the following markings:
Ribbons
Pin flags
Turn signs
People
Reflective strips
Rate of markings
We place a course marking about every 0.2 miles when there are no turns. When a turn approaches, we place more markings before and after it. If you haven’t seen a course marking in 0.5 miles, it’s time to check your GPS map.
Presentation of markings
Straightaways
Whenever possible, we display markings on the right side of the trail — unless you’re on the “back” portion of an out-and-back section. In this case, the markings will be on your left.
Why only one side? We think this minimizes confusion runners may have with similar-looking markings that may be along the route. (More on these “unintentional” markings below.)
Junction/intersection — do not turn
When you approach a trail junction or intersection where you’re not supposed to turn, you’ll see two or three course markings close together on the far side of the junction. These markings will still be on the right side of the trail. The close-together markings tell you (a) you’re supposed to go straight and, (b) once you’re through the junction, you’re on the right track.
We’ll mark with blue-and-white-striped flags the direction you’re not supposed to go.
Junction/intersection — turn
When you approach a trail junction or intersection where you’re supposed to turn, you’ll see markings presented close together on the side of the trail at which you’re supposed to turn. More specifically:
Turn left: Markings together on the left side of the trail
Turn right: Markings together on the right side of the trail
After you’ve made the turn, you’ll see more markings on the same, corresponding side of the trail to let you know you made the turn correctly. This methodology has the benefit of keeping the turn signage consistent for out-and-back sections.
At some intersections, we may use an arrow sign or a volunteer to further highlight where you should go.
Night-time markings
Course markings during the day and night are effectively the same, with one critical difference: we add reflective strips. The reflective strips make it significantly easier to locate course markings in the dead of night. Of course, reflective strips only “work” with a light shining on them. This may present some challenges for runners, which we’ll discuss below.
Fair warnings
It’s time for us to be a bit of a downer. Course markings don’t always go as planned. Here are a few hiccups you may encounter.
“It’s really dark out here…” (Finding reflective markings at night)
Over the past few years, more and more trail races have been decreasing their waste footprint. This includes removing paper cups and adding recycling bins to aid stations. It also includes replacing single-use “chem lights” with multi-use reflective strips for night-time course markings.
This presents a small (but worthwhile) challenge for trail runners, however. Chem lights can be seen from just about any vantage point, with or without a headlamp shining on them. Reflective strips, on the other hand, must have a light on them and be turned broadside to be clearly visible.
We suggest checking for reflective strips with your headlamp often, including looking behind you. If you’re uncomfortable with looking up to move your headlamp beam, you can carry a handheld light as well. Better yet: tell your pacer to keep an eye out!
“I haven’t seen a marking in a while…” (No markings)
It happens: you’ve been running for a while and don’t see any more markings. At this point, we recommend stopping, taking a breath, and looking around. Do not keep running with the mentality, “The next marking has to be close.” This is a great way to get lost.
Once you’ve taken a few moments, try to recall the last time you saw a marking. It very well could have been a few minutes back, in which case you should continue forward. Keep in mind, though, how much farther you go down the trail. At a certain point, it’s time to turn back.
If you decide to turn back, take it slow. Keep your head up and ears open. You may find a marking or hear another runner. Most likely, you missed a turn, so you’ll want to keep an eye out for a junction. If you come to a junction, look up and down all directions to make sure you travel down the right one.
Ideally, you’ll turn back and see a marking — time to carry on the way you were going!
“ I see too many markings…” (Unintentional markings)
If you look closely, many public lands have what we’ll call “unintentional” course markings — the random ribbon or flag that happens to look like the ribbon or flag that’s marking your race route.
A relatively common example is the colored ribbon wrapped around a tree that the Forest Service has marked for removal. A race may pass through acres and acres of trees marked like this, perhaps in an area that recently burned and needs to be thinned.
Most races will know about these areas ahead of time and avoid them altogether or use a ribbon/flag color that is obviously different. Still, as a runner, you should be mindful of how course markings are displayed. In the above example, the Forest Service wrapped the ribbons around the trunk — not dangling them from a branch.
“Why is this marking on the ground?” (Trail vandalism)
It’s uncomfortable talking about trail “vandalism.” We, like all trail runners, want to believe it’s incredibly rare and, when it does happen, was probably a mistake or a misunderstanding. But this write-up wouldn't be complete unless we addressed the topic head-on.
Trail “vandalism” is the removal, destruction, rearranging, replacing, etc. of course markings. Critically, vandalism need not be intentional — hence the quotes. Trail vandalism can, in fact, be a mistake and more often than not probably is. We flagged a course a few years ago and witnessed, first-hand, a mountain biker ride past us — and take a course marker with him. He was sweaty, wearing a long-sleeve shirt, and the flag stuck to his shoulder. The biker had no idea. And this certainly wasn't his fault: we shouldn’t have placed the markers directly over the trail.
In this case, we corrected our mistake and the inadvertent vandalism did not affect the runners. Luck prevailed. But this isn’t always the case: occasionally, runners — versus race organizers or volunteers — may be in the best position to correct a mistake. If you find yourself in this unenviable circumstance, the entire trail running community will be profoundly grateful if you could correct the course marking. Tie it back up and be on your way!