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On-The Fly Course Redesign

pastmemberpastmemberMember
Recently, after the first ride of a proposed new 10K loop course, my measurement revealed 281 feet of undesired overlap. That is, on the city block in which the start and finish were to be established, the start would need to be placed too far back in the last 1/10th of a mile of the course, too close to the end of the block, and the finish would have been too close to the opposite end of the block.

The race director, who was present, decided to add a block near the middle of the loop. With darkening skies and a forecast of rain and/or snow, I was reluctant to take on two more rides. So, we drove to the area where the course would be changed. I measured and recorded the section to be removed, twice, with good agreement. Then, from the established point of departure from the old course back to the point of rejoining the old course, I measured the new route twice, also to good agreement. I calculated that the new course design would add 309 feet.

Next, reasoning that I now had adequate additional real estate to work with, I went back to the start/finish block and I placed a chalk line at the desired finish line spot. I went forward on the block to a desired start area, where I spotted a provisional start. Then, I rode the course a second time, from this provisional start. On this (complete) ride of the course #2, I decided to record the mile marks. When I arrived at the spotted finish, I needed an additional 306 counts (~ 90 feet) for the full 10K count. I moved the start back, lengthening the course by 306 counts. Now the start and finish were located in the desired areas. The temperature at this time was 42 F. At pre-cal, it was 40 F.

With a weather front approaching, and a fun run still to measure, I decided to call it a day with the 10K. While I realize it would be preferable to have 2 complete rides of the reconfigured course, I would like to know if this measurement, with both full rides and with both rides of the modified section well documented, can "fly" as a certified course? Any and all comments are welcome.
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peteriegelpeteriegelRCMBB Founder
A diagram would make it easier to understand than sorting out the words, but lacking that I'd say there is no requirement that all the bits and pieces be measured in order. Measure all the bits, string them together and whoo-hoo, you have a course.

But you still have to work out a way to present the measurement data to the certifier.
pastmemberpastmemberMember
Thanks, Pete, thanks Duane. I appreciate your responses. With another half marathon to measure in a few days, I was not too keen on going back to my 10K for another measure. So, this is good news.

Last week, Bob Thurston and I measured the National Marathon in D.C., along with parts of the accompanying half marathon. Watching Bob's techniques of piecing together parts of the half marathon gave me the courage to go ahead and try something similar for my 10K when the need arose. I wanted to ask Bob about my methodology for the 10K, but he was away on an out-of-town trip, so I posted here. BTW, Bob is meticulous as can be. He is a great teacher. A total delight to work with. I am grateful to him for the opportunity to measure with him.

Pete, I think your idea of diagramming what I did makes good sense for the purpose of giving John Sissala or Bob Thurston - whoever reviews my work - a clear picture of the redesign documentation.

Thanks again.
jimgerweckjimgerweckMember
Once again, a case of a perfectly good 6-mile course ruined by trying to force it to be a 10 km. I see this a lot more in the 3 mile/5 km area, but only because the shorter distance is more popular.
Coming from New England, where "odd" distances of 4.78 and 8.4 miles are common, we don't believe there is a "magic" distance - wherever the race starts and finishes, that's what it is.
B bobthurstonMember
Jim,
Sure wish more race organizers felt that way, that would save us from a lot of those extra hours with threatening weather like Lyman is talking about! I remember some of those old New England races fondly, but I think it's fair to say that in the old days they didn't call them 4.78 or 8.4 miles-- usually some (randomly chosen as far as I could tell) whole number-- 14, 9, whatever!
I've already apologized to Lyman for not being able to help him out on that day but I'm glad he was able to get the expert advice I read here. A lot of measurements have to be pieced together. But it's still a good feeling, whenever possible, to ride through the whole course at once. My brain is way too prone to faulty thinking!
jimgerweckjimgerweckMember
Bob, that's true in most cases.
The Westport (CT) Roadrunners Summer Series, which will celebrate its 50th year this summer, was originally designed as progressively longer races for summer conditioning for HS athletes. 3-4-5 miles etc. The courses were measured with the town police chief's car.
Years later when they were more accurately measured, the distances were determined to be more like 3.1, 4.2, etc. but so many times had been recorded the distances were changed to more accurately reflect reality. I measured all 10 courses to USATF standards back in the late 90s and achieved even more accuracy, but the names remained at their one- or two-decimal places.

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