Road Crossings Course Marshalls

1. Safety. We have all the necessary permits and permission necessary for the race. We have medical, emergency and contingency plans. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue is coordinating with us. They know where we are and what we are doing. My big goals for the race are for the runners to be completely broke by the end, swearing off running trail races, brain dead, dirty, spent zombies but able to eat at the picnic and go home safely. We do not want anyone hurt. With this in mind, we have to agree to follow our plans and to be safe.
   
   
2. Medical. Please review the safety plans and make sure you know your job and responsibilities. Please get a hold of me for any clarification you may need. I may also be able to put you in touch with Dr. Smith for questions I cannot answer. New this year also is a Medical plan that includes safety, medical, contingency and communications will be posted on the web, check it out (after Feb 26, 2009) A draft is attached.
   
   
3. Pointing Runners in the Right Direction. At least one of you should know the trail sections upstream and downstream from your station somewhat. For example, you should know *roughly* how long the next section is, some of the general terrain and any peculiarities. Please do not feel compelled to go out and do an extensive survey. You can read the course description or get a hold of me. You are doing enough already and I know the trail pretty good. You just need to be able to tell folks what is up ahead or if we have to get someone to be able to reasonably give directions. Many runners will want to know details, mileage , etc. Tell them it is a ballpark and blame it on me. Many may ask you what mile is this, how much further till the next aide station, what is the next section like, any hills, any creek crossings, have you seen their friend or another competitor so and so, what is their place or time, and the like. If you need help with this, please get a hold of me. If you can help, fine. Odds are you may not know their friend by name and they may not know their friend’s bib number. You will know the mileage but you have to tell them it is not 100% accurate. If you know the trail ahead feel free to describe it in general terms. Remember that everything is relative. What may seem like a killer hill to you or just a bump in the road may seem the opposite to the runner. I think something like: “the next section is roughly two and half miles, no big hills, pretty easy to follow, just follow all the way to the road “is enough (Riffleford to 118 for example). They do not need to know every turn, downed tree, hill, etc. Please avoid telling runners that all they have left is a few easy miles (at Berryville Road for example). Most have a fair idea where they are and are keeping track of their mileage mentally. They may want to kill me for the mileage I have posted but that is another story. Most do not look at the last three miles as nothing. You can tell them they look good even if they don’t.
   
   
4. Stopping Cars. Under no circumstances attempt to stop a car. This is a big rule. Do not curse at cars. Do not put your body in front of cars to slow them down ( it doesn’t work anyway) . Do not raise the flags to slow a car down (I am wondering if we really need the flags). The police have given us this instruction. This is not like a lot of road races. No roads are being closed. We are not hiring the police to help us cross the street. The runners have been told that they may be stopped and that traffic will not. We really do not want to get complaints from passersby. This could cost the race and we want to keep the race cheap. I also do not want any of you to get hurt or into a fight with a motorist. We already have the deer attacking runners in what could be called trail rage.
   
   
5. Positioning of Course Marshals. Upon arriving at your road crossing coordinate with the other volunteer(s) so that in most cases (Loghouse, Watkins, Huntmaster, Brink, Watkins Mill, Riffleford, 118 (note*), and River Road course marshals are on both sides of the road. This is not absolutely necessary for each road crossing and especially Stephanie (118) if it is more than obvious where the entrance to the next trail section is. Stephanie may have the worse road crossing (although River is a close second) It may be safer for both of you stay on one side since the trail is right across the street from the upstream trailhead. Use your best judgment. Also remember that I might have assigned an extra person to some crossings. This is in case one of you gets called away. I do not want to waste anyone’s time but have to consider contingencies. If there is an emergency even a minor one and someone has to leave it is good to have at least two of you at some of the stations. On the other hand Ken can run the mill himself and has most times.
   
   
6. Race Support. Terrance McMahon and Brian McNeil, experienced runners, will be providing general race support along with me. They may come around to offer help or to help close your station.
   
   
7. Stepping Stone Crossing. For Watkins Road, two of you will be going downstream to the stepping stone crossing. I will have left a section of rope for you along with the other volunteer stuff- usually right near that green mailbox on the downstream side of Watkins. This is just a spare in case the current rope breaks or you want to use it to help runners. The problem we run up against down there is that runners can get bottlenecked (many will just wade across the creek which is fine- their feet will be cold and wet) . However if too many cross at once and all tug on the rope it can come undone. I just went down there and put in new stakes and new length of rope but there are no guarantees.
   
   
8. Police the area. All the aide station and course marshal areas are trash free, meaning there are no trash receptacles. You will be provided trash bags and are being asked to pick up all trash. Leave the area better than the way you found it. As the sweeper team comes through, he or she will be handing you flagging from the previous section. He or she may also mention to you if there is some trash on the previous section. Please go and get it. If you cannot please let me know. Thank you very much.
   
   
9. Visitors and Friends. Other trail users, pacers, are all welcome at the aide stations provided they park legally, allow you to do your job, and do not otherwise violate any rules of the park. Pets should be on a leash. They also must be told not to litter and not to attempt to stop traffic for any reason. The aide station and food and water are however for the runners and volunteers and not the guests.
   
   
10. Runner Problems. I really do not expect any behavior problems at all. However and just in case please keep the following in mind. You are volunteers and giving your time to help the runners. If someone is rude or discourteous- well it probably has nothing to do with you at all so you can keep that in mind and do not take it personal. However, you do not have to put up with anything that you feel crosses the line. If any runner wants to argue about something like the choice of snacks, the mileage, trail markings, anything, direct them to me. If they have been rude, please do not argue with them, note their bib number and report them to me. Runners will be warned about any problems ahead of time and could be disqualified, banned from future races and/or removed from the race. I do not think anything like this will happen, but just in case.
    
    
11. Nature Breaks. (probably the most frequently asked question). Port o Potties are provided at the start, at Route 355, at the Park and at the finish. Other than that runners and volunteers are reminded that the trail is entirely on public lands and littering of any kind is prohibited. Runners and volunteers are also reminded that the trail and park are open to other trail users and accordingly great discretion must be used. Even the trail critters do not urinate on the trail.
    
    
12. Dead Runners. If a runner cannot go on for a variety of reasons but short of needing medical attention, let them hang out with you until some arrangements have been worked out. I and others can come and get them. If you are coming to the picnic and I sure hope you do, you could bring a few with you. We will not leave anyone but are not promising prompt transportation to the finish if someone cannot finish. I am trying to find some space blankets but as a back up will probably drop off large outdoor garbage bags and maybe some old blankets to keep runners warm if needed. If you have some old blankets you want to bring for this reason- great.
    
    
13. Closing aide Stations and Road Crossings. Based on the posted closing time and confirmation from the sweeping team that all runners are accounted for, aide stations and road crossing will be closed on a rolling basis. The truck will come around on a rolling basis probably within ten minutes of the closing time to reload the equipment, supplies and trash. Please help Steve and Zach-reload the truck. For Route 118, I may try to get the County Police or a park ranger to help as the traffic is terrible there. Every other aide station or road crossing has at least a pull over place that is convenient. In fact, we almost did not have an aide station there just for this reason but for the same reason (lots of traffic) it is a good idea to get our returning Route 118 course marshal: Stephanie Bates there. If I can swing by at the right time, I might help move all your stuff down the road where there is a little pull off area. When reloading the truck, please use five to six traffic cones placed to the rear of the truck and one person’s sole job will be to watch out for everyone’s safety.
    
    
14. Trail Flagging. Take a look at the trail flagging. Sometimes kids take our flagging down. Sometimes the trailhead entrances could be marked better. If this is the case get a hold of me and I will come down and remark it. It can save all of us a big headache if we make the entrances extremely obvious. For example leaving 355, and when the trail crosses both the road and creek like the mill, Riffleford and River this can be confusing. There is a good chance we may have 50-100 runners that have never been on the trail nor have read the trail description.
    
    
15. Safety Vests. For road crossings (course marshals): we have safety vests and flags that will be dropped off at your assigned area. If there is another way to get these to you just let me know. I wish I had more chairs to bring to you course marshals towards the end of the course, hopefully you have a light folding chair you can bring. Please bring your cell phones, a pad of paper or something to write on, something for you to do (book, crossword, portable radio), warm clothes and food and drinks for yourselves. I will need the cell phone number of at least one volunteer at each point along the course (Aide Stations and road crossings).
    
    
16. Shirts. We have shirts for most of you but we are running out of some sizes. You can try a bigger size or perhaps take a hat or talking Elvis Presley pen.
    
    
17. Have fun! Cheer, join in the fun. If there are two or more of you maybe you can get a short run in. Please come to the picnic. We are counting on you.

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