Pete and all,
Here's a simple solution that may be helpful. Instead of issuing certificates for each of the intermediate splits on a single course, why don't we ask the measurer to issue a single certificate and include the drop, separation and record eligibility for the splits on the map itself?
A few measurers already list the drop and separation on the map itself. (Neville Wood's excellent maps came to mind.) I do not know of any measurers that have listed drop, separation and record eligibility status for intermediate distances.
We may loose a bit of real estate by adding the drop, separation and record eligibility on an already fact filled map, but you do not need to list every record-eligible split. For example, there are fourteen US record-eligible distances between the road mile and the marathon. They are the Road Mile, 5 kilometers, 8 kilometers, 10 kilometers, 12 kilometers, 15 kilometers, 10 Miles, 20 kilometers, Half-Marathon, 25 kilometers, 30 kilometers, 20 Miles, 50 kilometers and the Marathon. Although one could list the drop, separation and record eligibility for each split, it's unlikely anyone would set a US record at distances shorter than the Half-marathon, and then continue to complete the full marathon.
The change to include the drop, separation and record eligibility status for intermediate splits directly on the map would require some thought and care by the measurer while preparing their course maps. But it does have it's advantages. It would avoid the need to prepare and submit multiple certificates and would save a few dollars in the processing fee. We could simplify it further by requiring just the drop and separation. The records committee could determine if an intermediate split was record eligible or wind-dependent.
Measurers should be allowed to continue to issue multiple certificates but the measurement community should have the option to include all the data in a single certificate. Let me know what you think.
Thank you. -- Justin