Craig,
Justin is right. You can use an EDM for measuring a course, but on the turns each segment will have to be divided into intervals on the order of a foot long, so as to approximate the curve closely. This will get tedious.
You can do it if you want, and get it certified, but it will be a lot more work than using a bike.
I am putting this string on the Course Measurement Bulletin Board at:
https://measure.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x
Best regards,
Pete Riegel
In a message dated 8/16/2006 10:22:08 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, jkuo@usatfne.org writes:
Craig,
If you have access to an EDM, it makes sense to use the EDM to measure a
straight line calibration course. However, while I'm not the expert on
this, I but believe the reason to not using an EDM on a course is
because it takes too much time and effort and would produce a course
that consisted of a series of line segments for the curves. One person
on a calibrated bicycle can simply roll though the curves while the EDM
would require a helper to make numerous measurements.
As an example, you could make two bicycle measurements of a 5K course in
about one hour. Although I have never measured with an EDM, I imagine
you would need to measure 70+ segments.
Although quite unusual, if I had enough evidence to convince me the
course was measured accurately, I could certify a course measured with
an EDM. Hope this helps. -- Justin
ps. I will send this message to Pete Riegel and Bob Baumel and ask for
their insight. Thanks you. -- jk
Schuster, Craig wrote:
> Justin,
>
> I contacted you a couple of months ago about certifying a 5K road race I
> am organizing for my church. You responded with a lot of info on what I
> need to do. My questions is this…. I have downloaded the Certification
> Manual from the website and I am considering certifying the course
> myself. The manual does not recommend using an EDM to measure the
> course. Do you know why this is? Does this mean that if I use and EDM
> then I cannot get the course certified? Please advise. Thanks
>
> Craig A. Schuster, P.E.
>
> Principal Engineer
>
> Direct Line: (617) 532-4246
> *Edwards and Kelcey*
> 343 Congress Street
> Boston, MA 02210
> p) 617.242.9222 (f) 617.242.9824
> www.ekcorp.com_
> Engineers . Architects . Planners . Constructors
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