Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I certify my race course?
Bike computers, Calibrated Police Cars, GPS units, and walking wheels are all inferior to the USATF Calibrated Bicycle Method. This standard is in effect worldwide. It is a misconception that course certification takes too much time and money to be of value. Measuring a course for certification does require riding a calibration course before and after an initial layout and measurement. This generally takes about 10 minutes. To certify a course the course must be ridden twice. For a Marathon this time can run into several hours. The calibration before and after make for as accurate a measurement as possible.. Two rides of the same course assure that the course measurement was done properly. Would you buy groceries weighed on a bathroom scale?
What about the cost?
A counter costs about $100.00. A good steel tape can be purchased for $25.00. Any remaining supplies needed are often found around the house. Having a course reviewed for certification can be up to $30.00. Remember that once a course is certified unless it changes the certification remains in effect for 10 years. That's 11 races of unequaled quality.
What about running records?
A certified course is required for USATF records consideration. This standard makes for the comparison of running performances anywhere. For instance a 5k course in Miami, FL is measured to the same length; in the same manner as one in Seattle, WA. Runners can make honest comparisons in their performance over time and location.
Isn't a 5k a 5k; no matter how it's measured?
NO, It has been my experience with over 166 course measured that not even Google Earth or consumer available GPS technology can approach the kind of accuracy as the Calibrated Bicycle Method. It is not uncommon to measure a 5k course and find it to be less than 3 miles long. Alternative methods work well for design and layout but lack the accuracy and repeatability of the Calibrated Bicycle Method.
I only need to make a minor change to my course. Do I need to ride the whole new course to certify it?
No, it often OK to just steel tape or "ride" the changed sections. Click on the Procedures Tab below.
Bike computers, Calibrated Police Cars, GPS units, and walking wheels are all inferior to the USATF Calibrated Bicycle Method. This standard is in effect worldwide. It is a misconception that course certification takes too much time and money to be of value. Measuring a course for certification does require riding a calibration course before and after an initial layout and measurement. This generally takes about 10 minutes. To certify a course the course must be ridden twice. For a Marathon this time can run into several hours. The calibration before and after make for as accurate a measurement as possible.. Two rides of the same course assure that the course measurement was done properly. Would you buy groceries weighed on a bathroom scale?
What about the cost?
A counter costs about $100.00. A good steel tape can be purchased for $25.00. Any remaining supplies needed are often found around the house. Having a course reviewed for certification can be up to $30.00. Remember that once a course is certified unless it changes the certification remains in effect for 10 years. That's 11 races of unequaled quality.
What about running records?
A certified course is required for USATF records consideration. This standard makes for the comparison of running performances anywhere. For instance a 5k course in Miami, FL is measured to the same length; in the same manner as one in Seattle, WA. Runners can make honest comparisons in their performance over time and location.
Isn't a 5k a 5k; no matter how it's measured?
NO, It has been my experience with over 166 course measured that not even Google Earth or consumer available GPS technology can approach the kind of accuracy as the Calibrated Bicycle Method. It is not uncommon to measure a 5k course and find it to be less than 3 miles long. Alternative methods work well for design and layout but lack the accuracy and repeatability of the Calibrated Bicycle Method.
I only need to make a minor change to my course. Do I need to ride the whole new course to certify it?
No, it often OK to just steel tape or "ride" the changed sections. Click on the Procedures Tab below.
