Some stats relative to record-eligibility and state records
From www.staterunningrecords.com/html/links.html 17 states have state record keepers.
From the current course list there are 10691 active courses. Of these courses, 702 have a drop greater than 1 m/km.
Of the remaining courses, 323 have a separation of greater than 30 percent.
Thus, of the presently active courses, 90.4 percent are record-quality. This is consistent with past experience.
The above are presented without comment, for the use of those who may be curious.
All of us who use the statistics should expect to do some looking at the course list. This list contains our history, and most of the relevant data relating to certified courses. It does not seem burdensome to expect a state record-keeper to have a list of record-quality courses on file and to update it as courses are added to the list.
I have noticed that it is not uncommon for a race to be using an out-of-date certification ID, or an erroneous one. Taking the race’s statement at face value can lead to error.
As for the runners, those who may be serious about setting a record need to do their own investigating. This would begin with an inquiry to the race organization. This should be followed by a look at the USATF search engine, which will reveal whether the race organization really has it right.
As for changing the course ID, it would be possible to make the course ID identical to the data-entry line on the course list, which contains almost all that is known of the course’s qualities. This would solve every curious person’s problems. Of course, the ID might be thought by some to be a bit cumbersome, and would be ridiculous. The course ID leads to further information – it’s not intended to be anything except a simple and unique identifier of a certified course.