I've been asked by several members of the CT state cross country committee to certify the course the state high school championships (class and open) are run on. I told them RRTC does not certify XC courses, but it could be measured to certifiable standards. They have made plans to place permanent markers (I believe bricks buried flush with the ground) at the mile points and any turn points not clearly demarcated by fixed objects (trees, stone walls, etc.)
Here are a couple things we plan to do. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions before we do the ride midday Friday (Pete Volkmar you are welcome to join us, Wickham Park, Manchester, 11:30 a.m.)
1. Lay out a permanent calibration course alongside a straight section of park road. We will mark the endpoints on the asphalt with PK nails.
2. Landmark the start, finish and any turn points based off of permanent, immovable objects.
3. Locate the mile and km split points; mark with permanent objects (bricks).
4. Measure segments of the course between permanent points. This will prove useful if the course must be changed in the future (on some occasions, a "rain course" has been used that avoids a steep grass uphill, sending the runners up a parallel paved road about 30m away).
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