course measurement & design

KeepingYour RaceOn Course

Design, Measurement,and Setup of theRunning Route

How Long is a Marathon?

• 26.2 miles

• 42,195 meters

• 26 miles 385 yards

• My GPS told me 26.43 milesand I want a Boston waiver

Elements of aGood Course

• Safe

• Simple

• Accurate

• Scenic (maybe)

Safety

• Route Considerations Open/Closed to Traffic Direction of Runners Intersections/Side streets Other

• Curves, hills, businesses/churches• Planes, Trains & Boats

Preliminary Design

• Avoid/minimize potential hazards Side street crossings Alternate Left-Right turns Multi-lane intersection crossings Busy roads or locations Runner lapping/crossing

Preliminary Design

• Other design considerations Race size Business/Churches/Events Topography Weather Road width/condition Scenery/Points of Interest

Preliminary Design

• Multi-distance events Usually held with marathon Simultaneous vs. separate start Amount of shared course

• Splits, aid stations, monitors

Start and Finish

• Provide sufficient space forpre-race lineup and post-race activities (chute, refreshments, medals, medical, etc.)

• Potential timing mat interference

• Security

• Accessibility

The Start

• Ensure a safe, fair start• Physical Layout

Minimize potential hazards• Turns• Bumps

Width• Determine your “funnel” distance• Chip mat “nozzle”

The Start

• Staging runners Corrals/Waves Kids/Walkers Lane “False” start line Final instructions

The Finish

• Physical Layout Minimize potential hazards

• Turns• Bumps

Depth/Length• Type of timing/scoring system• Post-finish activities

“To Go” marks

The Course

Getting Your RunnersFrom Point A to Point B

Course Design

• Accuracy is paramount Measured correctly Run as Measured

• Flexibility No “Magic” distance (5K-itis) Route changes

Design Flexibility

• Making Lemonade out

of Lemons

Course Design

• Pre-measurement considerations Desired distance Start/Finish locations Other

• Topography• Weather• Neighborhoods• Road width/condition

Creativity:Solving the Puzzle

Course Design

• Pre-measurement planning Mapping Software

• Google Earth, USATF Running Routes, Gmaps

• Car odometer Official Approval Test Run/Ride

Course Design

• Types of Courses Loop Point to Point Out and Back Combinations Ultra-distance Cross country/Trails

• 1-day certification only

Course Types

• Loop Advantages

• Start & Finish close to each other• Good viewing, esp. for Criterium-style

Disadvantages• Maximum road usage• Potential for course cutting• Often many intersections and side streets• Cars “trapped” inside loop

LoopCourse

Course Types

• Point to Point Advantages

• Minimize road use early in race• Hard to cheat (Rosie Ruiz)

Disadvantages• Pre- or Post-race

transportation logistics• Maximum road use

Point to Point

Course

Course Types

• Out and Back Advantages

• Minimal road use• Start and Finish can be the same (Chip mats)• Multiple duty aid stations, spectators, and

possibly split points• Runners can see the rest of the field

Disadvantages• Double runner density after turnaround• Maximum road use - closure usually required• Potential for course cutting

Out andBack

Course

Course Types

• Combinations Out-Loop-Back (“Lollipop”)

• Less road use• Start and Finish can be the same point

(Chip mats)• Multiple duty aid stations and split

points

LollipopCourse

LollipopCourse

Variation

Course Types

• Combinations In-Loop-Back (“Keyhole”)

• Less road use• Start and Finish can be the same point

(Chip mats)• Multiple duty aid stations and split

points• Spectator friendly

KeyholeCourse

Course Types

• Combinations Multiple Loop

• Often used for ultras & racewalks• Multiple duty aid stations

and split points• Loop and Start/Finish certified

Combination of Loops• Figure 8

Multiple Loop

Course

Combination of LoopsCourse

Combination of LoopsCourse

Figure 8Course

“T”Course

Measurement & Certification

• Accuracy USATF Certified

• Sanctioned vs. Certified• Required for rankings, qualifying,

championships• Meaningful times• High cost to benefit ratio• Any distance can be certified• Ownership?

A Big Surprise

• D.I.Y. or outside measurer Typical costs Number of courses Equipment and expertise Guidance from RRTC and

State Certifier

• www.rrtc.net

Measurement & Certification

Tools of the Trade

• Original Jones Counter

Original Jones Counter

Tools of the Trade

PrototypeJones Counter

Measurement & Certification

• Process Calibration

• Ride 300m course 4X before & after• Add 1.001 SCPF

Measure• Ride course 2X, adjust distance• Lay out splits

Document• Map & Certificate

Measurement & Certification

• Work with your measurer Spell out requirements and

limitations• Fixed Start/Finish• Road Restrictions• Desired split marks & documentation

Course Map Photo disc

Listen to his/her suggestions

Documentation

• A picture is worth a thousand words, especially at 5 A.M.

• Work with your measurer Segmental Certification

• Useful for course changes, especially longer races

• Certified Intermediate Splits Record Requirements - Timing

Map Formats• Print, Web

Cost, deadlines, and payments

Measurement & Certification

Measurement & Certification

• Course Certification Documents Certificate

• Unique alphanumeric course number - CT08023JRG

• Use this number in all race literature -Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval

• Lists drop/separation/distance• 10 year expiration

Measurement & Certification

• Map Route, start/finish/turnaround detail Elevation profile optional

• Official All details including Course restrictions For race workers and course monitors Don’t go out without it!

• Simplified Route and mile marks Post online and at race site - runner’s packets Lead vehicle driver!

Course Map

3D Course Map

Measurement & Certification

• USATF Approval Process Can take several

weeks from measurement to online posting

Course is certified as of paperwork postmark

Measurers

State Certifiers

East Vice Chair

Measurers

State Certifiers

West Vice Chair

RRTC Course Registrar

USATF NationalDatabase

Measurement & Certification

• Validation Performed in case of records

• Independent USATF-assigned measurer• Pre or Post

Post - Paid by USATF Pre - Paid by race

• Records accepted immediately

• Documentation

Course Setup

Running the right route,and the route right

Course Setup

• Pre-Race checks 1 week 1-2 days Race morning

• Changes and/or detours• Confirm traffic control and water

stations• Course marking

Course Setup

• Course marking Impossible to overdo! Paint/Chalk/Tape on Road

• Can be done ahead of time• Semi-permanent• Highly resistant to tampering• Visibility can be compromised by

weather

Course Setup

• Course marking Signs

• Can sometimes be done ahead of time• Sponsorship potential• Must be removed afterward• Vulnerable to tampering• Requires upright object

“L” backet hangers Campaign-style

Course Setup

• Course marking Cones

• Can only be done just before race• Must be removed afterward• Vulnerable to tampering and theft• Bulk creates storage & transport

challenges• May be necessary for restricted courses

Course Setup

• Course marking Flags

• Can only be done just before race• Must be removed afterward• Vulnerable to tampering and theft• Large quantity required• Primarily for cross country• Can be used on roads in a pinch

Course Setup

• Start & Finish Be certain of location

• Should be marked with survey nail and/or referenced from permanent object

Stencils for painting• Problems with extra-deep finish lines

Proper location of timing mats• OFF the course

Course Setup

• Is your finish landmarkedthis well?

Course Setup

• Intermediate Split Points Be certain of location

• Referenced from permanent object• Photo CD

Additional marking• Balloons• Clocks

Location relative to aid stations• Before is Better

Course Setup

• Run as Measured! Required for Records

• Race video• Certified official in Lead Vehicle

Mark, mark, and mark some more!• Multiple methods• Course monitors as backup

Pre-race meeting

Course Setup

• “Restricted” Courses Runners do not have full road width

• Distance requirement• Safety/Official restrictions• Out & Back courses

Avoid if possible• Requires enforcement and documentation• Certified official in Lead Vehicle

Course Setup

• “Effectively Restricted” Courses Runners MAY not have full road

width• Out & Back courses• Safety/Official restrictions• Traffic

Measure as if unrestricted• Runners will go long, but times &

records will count

Course Setup

• Restricted Courses Cone &

Barricades Course

Monitors

Course Setup

• Restricted Courses Movable

ropes

Course Crises

Preparing for when (not if) it all goes wrong

(And improving your odds that it won’t)

Course Crises

Murphy’s Law governs all aspects of

Course Monitoring!If it can go wrong, it will.

Even the best go wrong

sometimes

Course Crises

• Inevitable course SNAFU causes Missed signs/markings Misdirection by monitors/lead vehicle Weather Obstructions

• Fire• Water• Vehicles

• Bridges• Suicide• Drug Bust

Course Crises

• Missed signs Mark via Multiple Methods Post Course Maps prominently Tech meeting/course tours for elites Course monitors at critical

intersections Lead Vehicle

Course Crises

• Misdirection Make sure vehicles & monitors have

course Maps Pre-race meeting

• Weather Alternate route Traffic greater concern than runners

Course Crises

• Obstructions Pre-race drive-through

• Designate course supervisor Communication with authorities Pre-planned detours

• Segmental certification On-the-fly

• 2 Lead vehicles: Course & Pace• Have measurer on site

Course Crises

• Prevention 5P Theory

• Proper Prior Planning Prevents Problems Examine all scenarios for problems

• Test run/ride• Do the pace math

Have a backup, and a backup backup Prepare for the worst,

hope for the best

Course Crises

• Obstructions Pre-race drive-through

• Designate course supervisor Communication with authorities Pre-planned detours

• Segmental certification On-the-fly rerouting

• Have measurer on site

Design forDisaster