The USATF/RRTC validation program has been in effect for over two decades. The first course for which we have a record was measured in 1980. Since then 408 courses have been validated (to end of 2006). Validation reports similar to this have been presented in Measurement News , the last appearing in Issue #104, November 2000.
There is an Excel file entitled “val.xls.” It contains information generated by all past Validations Chairpersons, and each time a new report is completed the information is added to the file. The file may be obtained from Pete Riegel (riegelpete@aol.com) for anyone wishing to check the accuracy of this report or do some different research.
The validation data compares the measured length obtained by a skilled and experienced validator with the nominal length of a course which was previously certified and on which a record was set.
Results of my analysis of the data are shown below:
In former times a 10 km course was considered to “pass” validation if it remeasured to not less than 9995 meters, with other distances proportional. This was known as the “allowance for error in the validation measurement” or AEVM. This year the “pass” line was set at 10,000, and the AEVM eliminated. For this reason the analytical results are shown both with and without the AEVM.
I chose the last two decades for the analytical period, as during the earlier years the modern layout procedure was young and not fully developed. For courses certified from 1987 to 2006 we see both the effect of the AEVM and the effect of experience in measurement. While our overall “pass” rate is now 87.5 percent, those courses measured by certifiers amount to 44 percent of the total, with a “pass” rate of 95.5 percent (107 of 112 passing). Those courses measured by others pass at the rate of 81.1 percent (116 0f 143 passing).
The measurements have a fairly normal distribution centered at just over the nominal length plus the short course prevention factor, as would be expected. See below
"Range" above is 1 m/km wide. For example, 15 courses remeasured between -1 and 0 m/km.
Commentary is invited.
