I've had this discussion on numerous occasions and I think we over complicate what we are providing. I think this all comes down to a properly designed course map. The Measurer and by extension the Course Map is the final authority on what the proper route is. If the map clearly defines the route and what the course restrictions are then the RD should be able to set the course up properly. If they fail to do so and runners go off course, then it boils down to either an inadequate course map or an error on the part of the RD's set-up team.
Requiring any "assurance" from the RD that they'll cone the rode or anything else is unnecessary. Follow what my map says and you'll be fine. Don't mark the course or restrict runners as the map shows, shame on the RD. I've done my due diligence as the Measurer to provide the proper route.
quote:
Originally posted by Jeff John:
This is an important issue and it comes up all the time.
Here's my rules (I'm very open to reproach if I'm doing it wrong...)
1. First, we need excellent, and updated, communication between measurer and organizer. We need to make the organizer understand that we will measure shoulder-to-shoulder unless we actually have assurance of physically indicated restriction(s). That means traffic safety cones, or fences, or many human volunteers.
When in doubt, measure the shoulder-to-shoulder SPR.
2. Any restriction in a USA road race must be clearly indicated on the map. We need to have the organizer agree that the course must be setup that way, or it is setup incorrectly.
3. In my view, verbal instructions alone to the runners is not sufficient to constitute a restriction. If instructions are all the race will offer, then I will measure shoulder-to-shoulder because the savvy runner will run the perceived SPR, and I so advise the organizer.
I have seen some marathons that surprised in a good way by actually having thousands of traffic safety cones lining the entire route to restrict runners to one specific lane or lane part. That's impressive. I don't know where all those cones come from! In the USA we must indicate all restrictions unambiguously on the map and we must measure according to those restrictions.
I had one huge disappointment in an 8K. The organizer asserted he had use of the entire road and that one long curvy road in particular would be closed to traffic. I measured the shoulder-to-shoulder SPR. Come race day, the police had changed their mind, kept the road open. They did provide hundreds of cones to restrict the runners to the right-side edge of the road. I wish I had been informed -- the runners were penalized by running a course made long by a legitimate physical restriction that the measurer was not aware of. Ugh! Nobody will lose a record in this example, but the times were suppressed by a few extra neters. My bad for not ensuring tighter measurer-organizer communication.
JJ
