quote:Originally posted by Duane Russell:
Nathan, I don't see what the problem is. The club is not tracking times, nor are results being compared for records. A good-faith effort to make the course at least marathon length could include two rides on a bike calibrated on dirt.
Disallowing trail marathons from counting towards the 50-state goal is, to me, pointless. If they run a course that may be short by a few feet, so what? They made the effort, and covered what was, in some manner, measured to be the correct length. I see no reason to deny them credit for completing a marathon in that state.
We measure courses for USATF certification. The marathon club recognizes that people have run what is being advertised as a marathon, in each of the 50 states. Two entirely different situations. I don't see a need to get involved in their club rules, as there are no records being claimed, just a merit badge. It has nothing to do with them running on a certified course.
Fair enough. Point taken.