Runners have until 5 p.m. April 30 to sign up for the first Trail Awareness Run. The run is open to only 100 participants.
The 7.7-mile run is being billed as a fun event focusing on improving the public's knowledge of trail etiquette on the Ridge to Rivers trail system.
The run will begin at 9 a.m. May 17 in Camel's Back Park in Boise, and the course will include the following trails: Red Fox No. 36, Lower Hulls Gulch No. 29, Crestline No. 28 and Kestrel No. 39A.
The event is being organized by the Ridge to Rivers Volunteer Trail Rangers, 10 volunteers who patrol the Foothills on foot or by bike.
Their goal is to educate trail users about Foothills policies and resource issues as well as provide general trail information, said Amy Stahl, spokeswoman for Boise Parks and Recreation.
The Trail Rangers report increasing incidents of recreationists using muddy trails and of dog owners who don't pick up after their pets.
"The trails are being loved to death," says David Gordon, Ridge to Rivers coordinator and supervisor of the Trail Rangers. "Use increases each year, and we expect to continue in this pattern.
"We are seeing a lack of compliance pertaining to leash laws and picking up after one's pet among dog owners, continued use of the trails under muddy conditions, and widening of the trails as users choose to ride or run around each other off the trail - rather than stopping and yielding the proper right of way," he said.
The Trail Rangers hope that the race will help raise awareness of proper trail etiquette practices.
"We're trying to generate a better trail ethic in Boise with more informed trail users of all types," said Gary Dinoso, lead trail ranger.
Race participants will receive T-shirts with etiquette messages on them, and race packets also will contain educational material. Cost is $10.
To download the registration form, see www.ridgetorivers.org, or pick up a form at Bandanna Running and Shu's Idaho Running Company in Boise; Pulse Running in Meridian; Athlete's Foot in Eagle; and the West and Downtown YMCAs.
For more information, call 514-3756.
Zimo: 377-6445
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