Trail Use

Every racer contributes to the experience of every other racer and of the community at large.  Below are some tools and tips to remember as you attack the trails with a vengeance on race day.  For a good article on trail running etiquette, click here.   ​
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  • Be aware of your surroundings.  No ear devices, no exceptions.
  • Yield to other runners.  Hogging the trail or making it difficult for someone to pass is a jerk move.  Don't be a jerk.
  • Announce your presence.  Call out "passing on your left" to let a racer know what you intend to do.  Elbowing past a runner is also a jerk move.
  • Uphill runners yield to downhill runners.  This is the opposite of the hikers' rule, but it makes sense, right?
  • Share the trails. Wide ravine paths are well used by the public, including families and strollers and dogs.  Move aside for community trail users, don't expect them to move for you.  If they do, say "thank you".
  • Respect bikes.  While bikes are not permitted on the wide ravine trails, they are active in the single track.  Yes, it's true that bikes should yield to runners, but blind corners and steep downhills make it hard for them to see you in time enough to dismount.  Be courteous and step aside where it's less effort for you.  Call out "Bike!" to those behind you so that others aren't caught off guard.
  • Show gratitude and encouragement.  Thank volunteers on course.  Give a quick "good job" to other racers.

Trail Respect

One of the reasons we don't use the same race course every year is so that we don't wear down the trails through overuse.  It is a privilege to have the natural environment we enjoy inside city limits.  We want to enjoy trail running for generations to come, which means we have to respect how we use the space now.  Below are guidelines that will support good stewardship of the trails and surroundings on race day:

  • Wear proper trail shoes or grips.  Slipping and sliding all over the place only ruins the trails for others, particularly racers behind you, and increases human impact well beyond race day.  We can enjoy the trails without destroying them.
  • Stay on the trail and especially in the middle of single-track trails.  Running around mucky parts unnecessarily widens the trail, doing harm to the surroundings and increasing our impact.
  • Don't cut corners.  Some sections of the course will switch back and forth.  Follow the trail to the end before switching back to the next section.  Don't take shortcuts.  This is not only bad for the environment:  It's cheating.
  • Carry out what you carry in.  Doesn't matter if it's biodegradable.  If it wasn't there before, don't leave it there now.
  • Respect wildlife.  If you encounter our gentle moose population, step back slowly just like you would any other large animal that could stomp you into oblivion if cornered or scared.  If beavers feel threatened, their powerful teeth are dangerous weapons.  Porcupines are self explanatory.  Deer and bunnies and squirrels and birds are all part of the habitat we will be enjoying.  Respect them and keep your distance.