Measuring New SF Marathon: What Does It Take To Get It Certified?
http://www.kdlt.com/news/local...t-certified/34727796
KDLT News – August 14, 2015 SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -
In less than a month, hundreds will be lining up to run the Sioux Falls Marathon. But this year, competitors will be seeing some changes to the course. The changes mean a lot has to happen before it's certified.
Tom Reagan likes to get an early start. We caught up with him at around 7 a.m., just as he was about to get on his bike.
"I do the grunt work and the sweat and everything," said Reagan.
Over the next few days, Reagan will be using his bike to measure the full and half marathons new to the city in 2015, as well as, the 5K. In order for a runner to qualify for the Boston Marathon, the course needs to be USA Track and Field certified. Sioux Falls Sports Authority hired the North Dakota man to make sure you're really taking on 26.2 miles.
Reagan said, "I think that's just a good mark of integrity and I mean, certainly for the runners especially because they know they ran a 5K. It wasn't short or long. I mean, I ran a couple courses in my life that weren't USA track and field certified and it was, you really, really wonder."
It's not as easy as taking out a GPS.
"We measure the shortest possible route. If you've got this corner here, I can take this corner but I'm hugging the corner and taking straight lines, you know, to the next corner or the next curve," said Reagan.
Reagan uses a Jones counter on his bike to measure each mile. He stops to mark each one on the ground and on paper. He even takes pictures.
Reagan said, "It'll take me about three hours. A lot of people can ride it faster than that but I've gotta stop for traffic."
The second run may take up to six. During that time, you hope you don't get a flat tire or take a wide turn. You compare the two rides at the end and if they're different by .08 percent, then you've got to ride again," said Reagan.
When Reagan is done, he'll pass the numbers on to a certifier in Michigan, who will decide if the course if USATF approved. If so, he says this one will be fast, and because it's so flat, a record could be broken here.
Reagan, who is originally from Sioux Falls, said, "It's such a beautiful town too."
The Sioux Falls Half and Full Marathon will be held on Sept. 13. The course will have new start starting and finishing points. Runners will take off at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center and end on the track at Howard Wood Field.
For more details and to see the full route, click here: http://siouxfallsmarathon.com/...ioux-falls-marathon/ .
Original Post