Record Set on NON-Certified Course?

USATF won't accept a record set on a course that was not USATF certified as of race day. The reason for this is that the majority of races are run on uncertified, and mostly short, courses. Also, it would be beyond our capacity to measure all these courses after the fact.

I am intrigued by the phrase "presumably accurate." Why would we presume the course to be accurate? Most uncertified courses are not accurate.

The course can certainly be certified "after the fact" but this will affect only future performances, not past ones.

Thanks Pete! That's the answer I want to hear.

But I'm troubled by my inability to point to an explicit reference in the rules to back up our position unambiguously.

For example, the verbiage in the USATF Competition Rules Article 4, Rule 185 8(a) and (b) describe a post race validation process for national records on a road course, but unfortunately, I can find no mention of the requirement for the pre-race course measurement and distance certification. The rule, as I read it, is only concerned with the shortest possible route the competitor could take during the race.

It would be helpful if I could squash the notion definitievley with an explicit rule or procedure reference.

The reason, in this case, for "presumably accurate", is that the RD got one of the area's most experienced measurers to design and measure the course, but to save on expense, the effort did not invlove the essential mapping and paperwork - that's left for a future year if the race is successful...

Can we cite an explict rule/regulation/or procedure reference that disallows a "record" set on an uncertified course even if that course can stand up to rigorous post race scrutiny?

Thanks for any input.

JJ

The last rule book I have is 1997.

On page 302 is a sample application for recognition of road race performances.

Page B, Part II asks that it be attested that the race was run on a course as described on a USATF measurement certificate. This certainly implies that certification must exist prior to the race.

Rule 185 deals with long distance events. I see no explicit statement that the course must be certified. However, it has long been the custom that the course must be certified before the race is run, if performances are to be recognized.

Perhaps someone more up to date on the rules can provide better information.

The most current USATF Competition Rules book of 2005 has a few areas that address the conditions necessary for road race records.

The most important area is found on page 130, Section VI, Long Distance and Road Events, (Running and Walking), Rule 240, Course Certification, which clearly states the following: “ The course used for a competition shall be certified prior to the running of the event in accordance with USATF Operating Regulation 6, unless the course is deemed uncertifiable by the Road Running Technical Council. A course may be designated as “USATF Certified” only if it has been certified in accordance with USATF Operating Regulation 6.”

Therefore, prior to any meaningful discussion of the possibility of a road race record, a road race competition must be first run a recognized USATF Certified course.

As Pete appropriately said, the language for records strongly “implies” that the road race course must first start with a USATF Certified course.