I think Location and Distance for course name works fine when there are likely going to be multiple users of a course, I don't think that convention should be the rule. Case in point:
A race starting in a sponsor's parking lot, and running along a bike trail and road. Naming it "Littleton 5K" is too vague. Name it "Platte River Trail/Prince St. 5K", and that is cumbersome. "Cannibal Run 5K" is specific for my map. Location could be too hard to describe for many races I do.
However, if we put the name of the event (when it is likely that only one event will use a course, which is the case in 90% of my measurements) and distance, the event doesn't even have have to put the distance in their name. Yes, it helps with marketing, but if the want to call it the "Mass Shuffle", let them. Runners will likely then see in parenthesis the distance printed below the event name.
Maybe we are too focused on the event name and course name being the same. I agree with JamesM that there is no requirement they are the same. As long as we show the true distance on the map, we have fulfilled our obligation.