I think it's a little flippant and ignorant to say that if "others littered" and "animals do it all the time" then a race organizer/decent-human being putting on an event should take into account their impact.

The environmental issue(s) I addressed are the tip of the iceberg. I'd love to confidently show up to an event and (1) know that the distance advertised is the distance I'll be racing, (2) racers won't be running head-on into other competitors, (3) all competitors will cover the same distance because the course length, route and direction are clearly marked, (4) courses and race times are adjusted when unsafe conditions are present, etc...

The original post last summer about the infractions in the Mt Hood National forest have to do more with how much harder it will be for other (more well-organized) groups to apply for permits. Ever find yourself in Washington Park or on the Wildwood when a biker (clearly forbidden on the trails) comes tearing down the hillside making their own trail and further driving a wedge between those on their bikes and those not on their bikes?

Let's remember we're part of the "bigger picture" before we start saying things like, "I didn't do it, so it why should I care?"

-will

Subject: Re: Your experience with X-Dog Events?
Date: 03/31/2008 05:17 PM
From: David Diviney
It is what it is and I like it. The races are fairly low tech and simple. Part racing, part running and riding around in the woods. He's not OBRA (hyper-organized and by the book), and he doesn't charge $150 for a sprint triathlon. Simple races with beer and split pea soup. His races appeal to me because no else puts on the kind of races he does. No damage done yesterday. Running in the woods is not bad, animals do it all the time. Hagg Lake is no worse for the wear and people got to get out on a rainy day and get some exercise. If people were littering, it's on them. I don't know about the salmon spawning grounds. He's got a solid following and I'm in it.

Chad wrote:
X-Dog is a poorly run organization that used to do a marathon and triathlon
out in the Gorge before ODOT and City of Hood River refused to permit their
events anymore due to a number of infractions and bounced permit checks.
For more info on the type of support and organization check out the
following link on feedback from the last Gorge Marathon run by this
organizer http://www.marathonguide.com/races/racedetails.cfm?MIDD=733050605
Chad
----- Original Message -----
From: "Will"
To:
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 1:09 PM
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Your experience with X-Dog Events?
>I just participated in my second (and FINAL) event with X-Dog Events. Has
>anyone else ever participated in any of their events?
>
> This last summer, someone on the OBRA list posted their concern about the
> lack of consideration for the environment with regards to an unnamed event
> organization (which was obviously X-Dog). The post was about how a
> scrambling course went right through protected Salmon spawning grounds and
> such...without the proper notification and permits.
>
> Yesterday's race seemed to take everything anyone of us know or have
> learned about preserving trails and leaving no trace on our surroundings
> completely out the window. Let's just say there was a lot of "encouraged"
> traffic in sensitive/no-trail areas and very little care taken to keep
> from widening already existing trails.
>
> Your thoughts?
>
> -will
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