Runners compensated for marathon mishap

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quote:

runners have a responsibility to learn the course

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True, but there is a problem. When we require the total 26.2 mile course, along with all the splits, to be drawn on an 8x11 bit of paper, it gets small and cramped.

It is often difficult for us, people who make and understand the maps to figure out. It's obvious to you when you did the map, but less so if you were not the original measurer. I have found my self pouring over other peoples maps, scratching my head.

Then there is the "informational map" provided to the runners. It's often full of Disney like logos showing the location of useful things like water stops, bathrooms & parking. But often lacks the precision and exactitude of the official course map.

Then there is the problem of the map as printed in the race application six months ago, may not be the exact same course used on race day, due to road works, city problems, etc.

It may be the duty of the runner to stay on course, but we have to understand the shortcomings of that ideal. The runner does not carry the map with them. The blood is pounding in their ears, sweat is running down and stinging their eyes, the fumes of the lead motorcycle are becoming unbearable, they have given up trying to calculate splits in their head and only care about who is close in front or coming up behind. There are only a few working brain cells left, and we want them to recall the details of the course map, in a foreign city, from memory?

The stripe on the road is a very good idea. But it is not always doable.

We need to need to start thinking about how we mark and indicate turns. In cross country the turns are marked by color coded flags. We have no real standards. There may be arrows, leaping cheer leaders, cones, cop cars, and various people doing various antics.

I am not sure how we should indicate corners. Maybe standardized colors for left and right and some sort of universal arrow symbols visible over the heads of runners.

If there is no blue line, one of the best alternative ways I know for keeping the runners on course, is to have guiding bicyclists. People who know, and have previously ridden the course.

The certification map is not necessarily intended to make life easy for the race director. It's intended to document what is certified so that a stranger can follow the measured route exactly.

The race director may need more, and there is no reason why the measurer can't provide it.
Ideally the same map can serve both purposes. A look at some of the maps available from the USATF search site reveals that many are not works of art. Many meet the only the absolute minimum standard, no more. One would wish for more.

"...runners have a responsibility to learn the course"

More importantly: Race officials, especially those in the lead vehicle have a responsibility to learn the course.

A runner will choose to respect barricades and course officials during an event since failure to do so normally results in disqualification. The race director should have refrained from using that line in the interview since the race organization was blatantly at fault.

Here's what Gordon Rogers, AIMS Technical Director, had to say on the matter:

"The measurer must be accompanied during the whole of the measurement by a competent local official/observer. If the measurer is not available to travel in the lead car on race day, this official/observer will be responsible for riding in the lead car and confirming that the course run is the course measured.

This small procedural requirement is not much to ask in relation to the consequences of the above error, regardless of who is at fault.

Why do so many events ignore this simple opportunity to avoid the risk of runners going off course?"

Laurent Lacroix
llacroix@mts.net

In most races the leaders are guided by a vehicle or bike. A problem can develop as the really fast pack separates from the others, leaving the following pack with no one to follow. Bad things will occur when the second-pack leaders suddenly find themselves unguided.