The popular Roadrunner Trails at Southwestern Michigan College are receiving a new update for the spring.
SMC says new flexible trail markers, designed to spring upright if struck, are now in place across the Dowagiac campus.
The project honors former Athletic Director Ron Gunn and was led by current cross country and track coach Zac Sartori. He says the goal of the trail markers was to make the trails easier to navigate after years of wear and fading markers.
The system now includes five color-coded routes, totaling roughly eight to nine miles, with improved signage to help both athletes and the public stay on track.
The effort was fully funded by the community, with more than 200 donors contributing more than $5,000. A commemorative bench has also been installed at the trailhead in Gunn’s honor.
Next, Sartori plans to add digital maps using QR codes and apps like AllTrails, making the decades-old trail system more accessible than ever.
The college says the upgrades not only improve safety and usability, but also celebrate Gunn’s lasting legacy for generations of runners.
Photo: Sartori and the SMC Foundation’s Thom Janssen.
