Question regarding Course Measurement

You need to measure the Shortest Possible Route that the runners can run. If the race organizer is going to restrict runners to a portion of the roadway with the use of cones or some physical separation then you can measure accordingly; for example, the SPR using the right lane and shoulder. However, you must indicate this restricion on the course map and you should be quite specific in indicating where the restriction applies; for example "Runners must be restricted using traffic cones to the right lane and shoulder on Cumberland Head Road between xxx and yyy"

There's no reason why you can't measure as you describe and get it certified. If you define what you measure, the course exists.

Some runners may shortcut. Most will not. If any record times are run, the course will likely not stand up to validation, since it may take too many volunteers to be sure everybody stays where they belong, without shortcutting. Still, the course will be an honest, certified one for any runner who chooses to run it as they are supposed to.

Having said this, I see a large contrast between the race-handout map and the Google map. The race-handout map is upside-down, with north on the bottom. This is confusing to most northern-hemisphere people. Also the shape of the dotted line on the certification map is a whole lot different from the shape of Cumberland Head Road on the Google map. Why the difference?

I can't find the Commodore Macdonough highway on the Google map. No biggie, I guess, but as a certifier I'd be wanting more than this. The handout map, as I see it, basically says "Start at St. Mary's Church and follow Cumberland Head Road until you get back to where you started."

Best part of the map is Champy!

Would a map like this be better? It needs a good S/F sketch, which you already have. It also needs a north arrow, straight up. And, of course, don't forget Champy!



Whoops! I think I missed following Cumberland Head Road at the upper left. Should have followed the left-hand fork as the course, in reverse direction, approaches the northwest corner, from the south.

Thanks for the feedback ...

The map orientation never occurred to me - I live about five houses down from the church and that's my perspective I'll change the map to be more intuitive to those not living on Cumberland Head. The map I submit for certification will have a lot more detail.

The Commodore Macdonough highway was completed last Fall and is an expressway from I-87 to the Ferry - hasn't made it to google maps yet. This makes the run around Cumberland Head very nice. We'll have State Troopers stationed at the two expressway intersections but the rest of the run won't have much traffic.

I use Visio and will add more detail to the map. The squiggly part of Cumberland Head road along the SW side has all of the blind corners/turns I mentioned. The shoulder is pretty good and I may measure using the fog line (white line) - for example, I could measure 12" in which would give runners plenty of room. I'm not too worried about anyone setting a national record. I just like to be specific so runners can know they completed a 10k run (no less and not much more).

thanks again for the comments!
-john

ps> this is a great BB. I followed a very interesting thread on how to use google earth to estimate distance using paths. I didn't know this feature existed - very cool!

I measured the course using "America's Running Routes" which is found at:

http://www.usatf.org/routes/

It came out to 6.18 miles - pretty good agreement.

Look for courses in Plattsburgh, NY and pick "Cumberland Head." Or click:

http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=36082

I like the enroute mile marks.

Pete,

This is awesome - thanks!

-john