From: Robert Youngren <robert.youngren@HOTMAIL.COM>

To: <ULTRA@LISTSERV.DARTMOUTH.EDU>

Date: 9/2/2010 7:19:03 AM

Subject: Re: [ULTRA] The Lean Horse Hundred 9/28-29

So sorry to hear some folks went off course out of Harbach Aid Station (mile 36). I don't exactly understand how people went off course since the main path, the Mickelson Trail is 100% crushed limestone and at the junction in question the obvious way is to continue forward (wasn't really a left vs. right situation as I recall). At the "intersection" in question to go wrong you had to make a hard right onto pavement, that should have been a red flag right away. I also recall at the intersection in question that if you looked ahead down the correct way there was a "course marker", one of many, many metal "Mickelson Trail" signs that dotted the route. Also, if you weren't 100% sure, the aid station was just behind so one could ask.

This all being said, even the most heavily marked course has people getting lost for one reason or another. That's why it's good to have a working knowledge of the race route (hey, I'm a multi-time Hardrock 100 veteran; there it's the runner's responsibility to "know" the course!) or carry a map. Also the route, especially once you're on the Mickelson Trail is very SOUTH-NORTH, if you found yourself running EAST-WEST for very long that should have been a clue as well. With Lean Horse you were only doing one of three things:

Running through the streets of Hot Springs, Running on Argyle Road or Running on the Mickelson Trail; that's it! However, I'll concede that more marking, in general would have been good, like some more of that pennant marking they used early (and late) into the race and perhaps a few more confidence markers. One thing I would gripe on (have to have something since all the volunteers and aid stations were awesome!) was that they used RED glow sticks and paint on the ground to mark the way at NIGHT. I doubt there is a more difficult color to see at night than RED! Seriously? :)

Anyhow, so sorry folks got lost, I've had my share of off course experiences. So that's why I try to study the route as best I can, especially if I am an out-of-towner.

Rob