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Reply to "18. Insurance and USATF Certified Official status for Course Measurers"

Years ago, before 9/11, I was hired to measure a course that started and finished on H Street, N.W. on the north edge of Lafayette Park. For those of us who do not know Washington, D,C,, Lafayette Park is directly across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House. Due to the traffic in the area, I had arranged for a police escort. Near the end of my second ride, the officer escorting me asked if he could leave. As I had arrived at the initially-spotted finish with just a few yards further to reach the final finish line, I said "OK". As I rode my bike the last few meters, I looked around to see if there was anyone who might see me apply a small paint mark at the finish spot. No one in sight. As I dismounted and grabbed my paint can and began applying the mark, I heard a deep, loud voice: "Sir, what are you doing?". I looked up to see a small monument of a man on a mountain bike with a Secret Service badge. I could not understand where he came from. It was as if he had silently dropped out of an overhead branch. Though the D.C. police had promised me they would coordinate my measurement with the other law enforcement agencies in whose jurisdiction I was working that morning, I learned they had done no such thing. Another Secret Service agent rode up on a mountain bike. After being detained for over 30 minutes, Secret Service was finally able to contact the officer who escorted me. It seemed he was the only person who could vouch for me. Another 10 minutes of I.D. checks, and I was freed with a warning.
Last edited by pastmember
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