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Reply to "Further discussion on expired courses."

Matt,

For clarification, the majority of respondents to the RaceMeasure survey were not culled from visitors to the RaceMeasure Website. I asked folks with newsletters to please spread the word about the survey, and some did, most notably in New Mexico an New Jersey. My respondents listed their city and state, and were spread across the country. The majority classified themselves as having run about 15 races per year, with length all over the board. It is a small sample, but most said the certification of the course was important to them.

That said, here in Denver, many runners in the middle of the pack still say they want a certified course. I get calls from race directors who say the runners of their race have asked them to certify their course. Here, anyhow, runners are aware of certification, and its value. Race directors have told me they see an increase in numbers when they start advertising the certification of their course. Anecdotal, yes, but they seek me out to let me know - I don't ask them.

We also have most timing companies in the greater-Denver area that encourage certification, as they don't want to hear that there was "a problem with the timing system, 'cause my time isn't what it should have been". Timing companies can be a great ally in the push for certification.

Maybe your (anyone reading this forum) area currently does not have great awareness of course certification, but once it is noted in the local running clubs (a great place to raise awareness), the runners - whether front-of-the-pack or middle-of-the-pack - will start paying attention. That is why it is so important for any race whose course is certified to advertise the certification.

I yield the soapbox.
Last edited by duanerussell
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