I often measure for events that include two or more race distances, like a 5k and a 10k. It is also often the case that the RD would like to have the same start and the same finish for the two courses. Of course without a turn-around in at least one of the courses, it nearly impossible to have both courses share a start and a finish and both be the correct distance. But with a little work on GE you can sometimes get to the point where the 10k is the correct distance and the 5k is say, 20 meters long. And in that case you can go ahead and certify the 5k, noting on the certification map the true distance of the course.
But the alternative is to include a turn-around in one of the courses. That allows you to get both distances correct.
So my question is, as a participant in a race, would you rather run/race a 5k that is 20 meters long but with no turn-around, or one that is the correct distance but has a turn-around? As a follow-up, what is the extra distance threshold for you for eliminating a turn-around?
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