I missed the turn-off to T2 once in a race. Went about ¼ mile before I realized my mistake. It really ticked me off, but helped me push the run and ended up taking 3rd in my AG, so I wasn’t so mad after that. You will find that some races are better run than others including road markings, volunteers guiding people, etc. Like others have said in various forums here, it really pays to study the course thoroughly and attend any pre-race meetings to make sure you are aware of any last minute changes or tricky spots, etc. Don't worry about it, just do more homework next time!

The map the provided on their website was a Topo map without street names. They had a text version of the course as well. This was the first time I didn't "Google Pedometer" the course before the race.
(if you haven't tried google pedometer, you should check it out).

I was there early and even asked if I should be concerned about the bike course, should I go drive it now? They assured me it was well marked. I agree, the turn I missed was marked as well as the rest of the course. Car traffic had my attention at that moment and I missed it. Yet I can't help think about how to improve the system.

I was hoping my post would inspire a "how to best mark a course" from someone who has thought about it from a Racer and perhaps Event Coordinator point of view. (as they may know what types of things some places don't allow, must use chalk instead of paint for example).

The idea I thought would be most helpful was having cones on both sides of the intersection. Meaning that there is a cone indicating a turn approaching, then have confirmation cones after you pass through the intersection indicating the right direction (straight ahead).

A "Wrong Way" Sign on the most logical direction someone would go if they missed the turn. This could be overkill/confusing unless the sign is Large enough and different from the standard Direction signs.

A "Turn Ahead" Cone 150 yards before the Intersection Cones.

I'm not sure what to suggest for road paint as I'm sure that is where organizers are probably limited as to what the police allow them to do.

I would mention that Orange Paint does seem to be the most easily seen.

That the events where the organizers have "circled" The rough areas of the path or road makes for a nice perk.

Most of all, I now have much more appreciation for the races which have volunteers at Every turn. I've been in adventure races where these people are out there for 8 or more hours. It's kind of upsetting to think that some races can't get people on the course for an hour during Sprint Tris.

That last bit sounds like a rant again. sorry. That's not the point of my post. I just thought it would be constructive to see if there was a way to "Standardize" Course markings and to hear about ideas that people have regarding this.

We never have permanent marking on the streets.
Race directors always use cones and people on places where people might get lost here in Guatemala.

I believe any race that doesn´t have that is probably lacking organization quality.

1. Do your home work.
2. Pay attention at the pre-race meeting.
3. Visit the course,if possible,before race day with course lay out in hand.
4. Pay attention to where you are going. Race heads up!
5.Take responsibility for an on course mistake that you make.
6. Don't assume that someone will be there to hold your hand.
I have been racing for 37 years and have missed a turn only once...in an unmarked trail ultra.
Yes Vols mess up and race directors may miss a mark or two, now and then...but in all my races,when I hear of someone missing a turn, it's usually because they wern't paying attention.
If you get to a turn and aren't sure pull up and wait...unless you are a pro and WAY out in front you'll waste less time wating for others who may have a better idea where to go, than you will if you just storm off and catch your mistake miles later.

I did not run to the officials and complain.

By the time I realized I was off course I was 2 miles into re-looping the course. (I should have been finished in 2 miles). So I had a nice relaxing warm down by doing a 2nd loop. Very nice day for a ride.
Of course the people were wondering if I had a flat or where I had been that I was so far behind everyone else. I just said I missed that last turn somehow and didn't know it. I handed them my timing chip and that was that.

Of course because you have to wait a year to race the course again, I'm not saying I wasn't disappointed.
I was just trying to be progressive and try to improve something that seems simple to improve. I understand nothing is perfect and I appreciate the feedback. I'm sure I'll do the race again next year, I'm not holding them responsible for my wrong turn.

I don't post often here so I didn't want to be marked as the guy with an attitude or something.

Thx everyone

I sensed no 'tude ! As we often say here at triful...no offense evr ment and none ever taken...
Momi is right...If you have a problem, or know of one...make sure the RD knows...it will help with future races....we ARE responsible to make sure the races we love get only better...

Sorry to hear about your mishap Big3. I’m an athlete and event coordinator. (Not necessarily in that order these days.) Here’s my two cents:

As an athlete, I have missed turns, both alone and in groups and I can say that, without exception, I missed those turns because I didn’t know what kind of markings I was looking for, I was tired, or I was just too focused on forward motion to bother with insignificant details like direction.

As a race director, I’ve consulted with other directors on the topic of 'lost athletes' and they unanimously assert that the athlete is responsible for knowing the course no matter how poorly marked it may be.

Personally, I feel differently when athletes are lost on MY course. If you ask me, it’s ALWAYS my responsibility as a director to be sure the course is well marked, well staffed, swept and safe, and I take it personally every time someone gets lost.

That said, it’s difficult to control all of the factors. I have to comply with city and county specs - not just one or the other but both. (And they usually have different ideas about road marking: can’t block traffic signs, interfere w/ visibility, misdirect or distract drivers...) I have to overcome the weather: driving rain washes away permanent marker, paper products ‘melt’, chalk and even some paints will wash out. Wind blows down signs. Cars drive over my markings, vandals knock them down. Volunteers are hard to come by; they prefer to work in twos, and they have been known to desert their posts. I had a small sprint/oly tri this year with great volunteer turnout. I had about 75 volunteers - and I still could not protect every intersection or corner.

I prioritize my volunteer placement like this: 1) safety (traffic control and emergency contact), 2) fluids, 3) administration, 4) direction and 5) comfort/entertainment - in that order. I feel I have a higher obligation to be sure people are safe, hydrated and that my race is running smoothly than I do to keep a small percentage of athletes from getting lost.

What methods are left to direct athletes? Course marking!! I insist that every corner have two color-coordinated arrows painted on the street and at least one same-color directional sign. Quality signs - steel and plastic - are expensive, so the signage usually leaves something to be desired. But painted arrows are easy to overlook, even if they are well-placed and brightly colored. You really need both: signs and paint.

Of necessity, I rely on the athlete to work with me. I try to give them the tools. I post maps on the website and include them in the race packet. I enlarge course maps to 3' x 5' and post them at the registration point. I mark the course at least 24 hours before the race. I explain the course in the pre-race briefing. I show the athletes a prototype paint arrow and sign so they know what to look for. I put volunteers where I can.

And believe it or not, people still go off course. They don’t review the website posting. They don’t review the enlarged maps at check-in. They throw away the course map in their race-packet. They don’t drive the course the day before. They don’t arrive early to check out the course. They don’t pay attention during the pre-race briefing...and viola...they’re lost and I feel bad. And believe you me, as upset as that athlete might be - they are not half as PO’d about it as I am. For every hour that athlete spent training, I spent at least an hour planning that race. To have something as simple as direction screw it up just pinches my tube.

End of rant! If you figure out a solution - PLEASE let me know.

What if everyone knew that there would be a sign indicating the upcoming turn and that there will be a sign immediately after the turn. If you don't see the confirmation sign, it should set off alarms.

If you make a wrong turn. There will be no signs ahead of you after you have made the turn.

Whereas if you are still on course. There will be "BIKE" Signs within sight after you have made the turn. "Confirmation" of having made the correct turn.

Hmmmm.... collecting election signs and "repurposing" them. Collect enough to have a good number of each direction (left, right, straight) and use screen printing ink for durability. That would take more work, but maybe the local screen printing shop could cut a deal?

This is truly a discussion after my own heart!

On signage, I find I can’t count on anything but double-post steel and wood/plastic signs. I’ve had wood-stake signs blow down, paint peel, paint run, signs warp and curl...weather is really tough on that stuff. We had a volunteer make a bunch of sign frames out of recycled rebar - that was a dream come true.

I think it would help to have 'confirmation' signs after every corner. I like that idea and will implement it next year. It would certainly increase the athletes’ comfort level to see arrows after the corner as well as before it. We mark for that purpose when we put arrows on long straightaways.

I would still expect athletes to miss corners however. Paying attention to markings after a corner seems like an unlikely expectation of an athlete who doesn’t pay attention to markings and signage before a corner. And as Sully points out, once you’re past that corner and off course, all the markings in the world aren’t going help.

That goes back to relying on the athlete. Athletes have to have some awareness of the course - you have to receive the signals I’m trying to send you as an RD. If you’re totally focused on catching someone, monitoring your heart rate or rpm, or that Cliff Shot, your mind is not on the course.

Think of it this way, knowledge and awareness of the course can better your time. Not only will it prevent you from getting lost, but it can improve your time or your standing. Knowing where the hills are, where the bottle exchanges are, which direction the wind is coming from and which corners you can take wide or fast is a benefit to you in planning your race strategy and attacks. Course orientation aside, it behooves you to know the course for tactical reasons.