Race Marks

The Race Marks are a racing object that appear in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Sonic Adventure, Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic Advance 2, Sonic Rivals, Sonic Rush Adventure and Sonic Rivals 2.

Description
These race marks are posts that marks the start and the end (like in normal races) of an Act. When a character starts an act, he would put on the start mark, and then the time count will appear running from 3 (or 5) to 0, once this the character will run through the Act. While the goal mark is located at the end of an Act as a replacement of the Goal Ring, the character have to cross it to finish the stage.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles
The race mark first appear in Sonic 3 and Sonic 3 & Knuckles, it only appear in the multiplayer stages. Due to the short Act is a lap, the race mark is the start and the goal. If the player cross the mark at the start before the time count runs to 0, the character will be brought back to the start. The race mark signposts are similar to the Star Posts, they also resemble to the early signpost from Sonic the Hedgehog 2.