July 20, 2009

Neville Wood has provided us a method to measure a course by using an "Electronic Counter". I along with the RRTC thank him for his contribution.
As Chair, I have had some Certifiers not happy with receiving submissions using an Electronic Counter. I feel this should not be the case, but is caused by a lack of their understanding among other factors (explained below).

Before anybody sets out to certify electronically-measured courses the method should be adapted so that ALL measurers can follow the methodology. There needs to be a procedure whereby ANY certifier can know that the electronic meter has been set up properly (maybe the measurer should send a JPEG of their rim and an explanation how the rim was setup). I am not concerned with a bad reading by the operator. That can happen with any meter. It is giving the certifier confidence that the electronic counter was set up properly and is generating accurate counts. I understand one can verify a course length by a satellite image, but its accuracy is limited and a certifier should not have to do this. I wait on Neville’s promise to help with the above.

I want all to know, there is no ban on using an Electronic Counter! If a Certifier feels he can work with a new measurer then that's OK. It is the RRTC goal to clarify the Electronic Counter’s use by the USATF Convention.



Best Regards,

Gene Newman
USATF/RRCT Chairman