I suggest that in addition to the standard one- page hardcopy map that is submitted with the application, a measurer also be required to submit a link to a Running Routes (USATF website) map of the course that he has created. The time required to create this type of map would be minimual. A map of a 10k course could be created in 5-10 minutes. The purpose of the map would not be to reproduce all the details of the hardcopy map. It's purpose would be as a confirmation of the course route and a rough confirmation of the course distance.
I see two main advantages of this map:
1) Gross errors in the hardcopy map could be discovered by the measurer or certifier. There have been cases where the wrong street name has been put on the hardcopy map. This type of error would be discovered when the distance of the electronic map would turn out to be significantly different than the certified distance.
2) Many maps are not drawn to scale, and this sometimes makes it difficult to follow the course route. Having both the hardcopy map and a to-scale map would greatly benefit someone trying to recreate the course route.
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