Garmin-certified course?

Something they made up for sure.

Another reason we should always refer to our courses as USATF certified, and not just certified. We have no ownership of the words "certified" or "certification," so no justification for demanding races not use those words.

Garmin-certified course? Wow! That’s a new one. There’s no such thing. Find out what the RD is claiming.



Alan Jones

They told me that basically their course guy runs or rides the course with his garmin watch twice and "certifies" the distance that way. 

Obviously, they are trying to capitalize on the ignorance of runners.  If a runner hears "certified", they assume it is an accurate course.  The RD is likely hoping that the runners believes it is USATF-certified.

I believe one could take issue with the misuse of the term "Garmin-certified".  I would bet that the Garmin company would not agree that the use of their unit constitutes Garmin certifying the accuracy of the measurement.  Since their units indicate a degree of accuracy, which varies from over 100 feet to within 10 feet, I doubt Garmin would agree to the use of "Garmin-certified", if they knew about it.  A more accurate term would be "Garmin-measured".

Garmin might take issue with them using the term "Garmin-certified" but the chance that they will do anything about it is about zero. But it is really beside the point. The race could have said their course was simply "Certified" and the effect would be the same.

We need to work on changing the common usage. Never say "that course isn't certified." Say "that course isn't USATF certified." Etc., etc. In the past people have told me it isn't necessary because everybody knows what "certified" means. Well, that's exactly the problem!

P.T. Barnum.

"This way to the great egress."

What Duane said “Obviously, they are trying to capitalize on the ignorance of runners”. Nothing else needs to be said