This is a Guest Post from Nathan Shnaider, Founder and Chief Map Maker at Underhill Race Maps.
Why Race Maps Matter
Putting on a race is complex and takes months of planning. Permits, volunteers, police coordination, marketing, timing, and race day operations all demand attention. Yet one of the most central elements of the entire event is often the hardest to clearly communicate: the course.
Athletes arrive having trained for months, but many still struggle to understand the route they are about to run. Volunteers and police are often responsible for sections of a course they know nothing about. City partners approve plans without a clear picture of how the event moves through their streets.
Many races still rely on altered map screenshots to communicate their course. That is the problem Underhill Race Maps was built to solve. We create clear, professionally designed maps built specifically for races and endurance events.
A course map is not just a line on a street. It is a communication tool. Distance, turns, elevation, landmarks, and aid stations – all the details that athletes, spectators, and planners need to understand the event at a glance. Without it, nobody truly knows the course.
For the past year, Underhill Race Maps has worked with events of all sizes, including prominent organizations such as Cal Tri Events, Alpha Win, and Rhode Races. Our work includes course maps, parking and shuttle maps, road closure and detour maps, race day logistics visuals, and even custom postcards as a unique keepsake for athletes.
Clear maps matter now more than ever. More people are running their first race, and they need every resource available to feel safe and prepared. But a clear map is not just for the athlete. It’s for the volunteer supporting runners at their aid station, the police officer managing neighborhood detours, and the spectator trying to spot their athlete in the crowd. Everyone connected to your event needs to know the course.
A Road Race Example: Syracuse Half Marathon
The Syracuse Half Marathon welcomes thousands of athletes each year through downtown Syracuse.
Widespread construction forced a course change, the first major update in years. Clear and proactive communication became essential for athletes, residents, and city partners.
The result was a map that streamlined coordination with the city, reduced athlete questions, and provided a clear understanding of the course so participants could prepare with confidence.
Rick Streeter, Race Director at Syracuse Half & Vice President at Leone Timing, said: “The team at Underhill has completed several course and detour maps for my event. They are always done on time with prompt communication. They have handled rush orders with ease, and I look forward to working with them on more projects”
Imagine relying on a screenshot with aid stations circled instead. Once you see the difference, it is hard to go back.
A Triathlon Example: Cal Tri Events – Charlotte
Cal Tri Events hosts triathlons across the USA and has built a reputation for safe, accessible events. At every race, they welcome many first-time triathletes and are committed to giving each athlete an exceptional introduction to the sport.
Triathlons are uniquely complex. Athletes are preparing for three disciplines at once, and understanding each course is just as important as the training itself. Being able to see it all at a glance is a significant advantage.
One detail that stands out is the swim course. Multiple loops can be difficult to communicate clearly, and confusion in open water is the last thing an athlete needs. By labeling each loop directly on the map, athletes arrive at the start line knowing exactly what to expect before they ever hit the water.
Cal Tri prominently displays these maps on their website alongside RideWithGPS links, giving athletes both a clear visual and the ability to interact with the course data and download it for themselves.
Thom Richmond, CEO of Cal Tri Events noted:
“At Cal Tri Events, we strive to give our athletes every advantage on race day, and the maps created by Underhill Race Maps have been a fantastic addition to that experience. Their team is conscientious, responsive, and truly understands the needs of race organizers. The maps serve as an excellent consumer-facing tool that translates our traffic control plans, which are primarily designed for safety, into a clear visual format that athletes can easily understand. We are grateful for their partnership and the value they bring to our events.”
That combination of a professional map and interactive tools is exactly how Cal Tri set their events up to be safe, fun, and organized.
A Trail Race Example: Bryce Canyon Ultras
Vacation Races puts on some of the most beautiful and premier races in North America.
For their trail and ultra events, advance planning is critical. Athletes need to understand the course in detail so they can plan nutrition, drop bags, pacing, and overall race strategy.
In remote terrain, the stakes are higher when athletes arrive without a clear picture of what they are getting into.
With a race like this, changes can occur last minute. Josh Oliveri, Director of Operations, said that “the team at Underhill has been great. They’re reliable and responsive and have even pulled off some tight turnarounds when we’ve had last minute course changes.”
For many athletes, seeing the course mapped accurately is what allows them to prepare confidently and make informed decisions long before race day. That confidence comes from a map that was built for them.
How to Use These Maps
A professional course map is not a one-time asset. It works across every touchpoint of your event. Embed it on your website during registration season. Include it in athlete guide emails and pre-race communications. Use it in your permitting and city partner presentations. Post it at the expo and start line on race morning. Share it on social media in the weeks leading up to the event.
The map you invest in once continues working for your race long after the finish line comes down.
Raising the Standard
Racing is about bringing people together in a safe and organized way. When the course is clearly communicated, events run more smoothly, volunteers are more confident, and athletes can focus on what they actually showed up for.
A great map is not reserved for the biggest events. It is one of the simplest, highest-impact investments you can make for your race and everyone in it. If your race could benefit from clearer, more professional maps, we would love to work with you.
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