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Road
Running & Ultra >> Course Certification FAQs
Course Certification FAQs
In this section:
Participant FAQs | Race
Director FAQs
Participant FAQs
What does certification mean, and why should I be concerned?
Runners, whether competitive or not, like to be able to say "My
best 10K time is …", and to compare the time they ran in one race
against the time they ran in another. But how do you know that the 10K you
just ran really was 10K and not 9.95K or 10.05K? If an entry fee is
charged for a road race, runners have a right to a properly measured
course.
In order to qualify to run the Boston marathon or other restricted
entry events, your qualifying time must be run on a certified course. And
in order for times to be considered for record purposes, a course must be
certified.
Course certification is a process by which a course is measured
according to international standards and the measurement data reviewed by
a recognized certifier. Once the data is verified and accepted, a
certificate with a course ID number is issued. BC Athletics recommends
that all road race courses be certified. A certified course provides some
assurance that times will be based on a properly measured distance.
How do I know if the race I'm running is certified?
Race directors should include the course certification ID on their
entry form or race website. A list of certified courses is published here:
www.coursemeasurement.ca/
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Race Director FAQs
What is the difference between sanctioning and course certification?
Sanctioning and course certification are two entirely separate
functions. A sanctioned event can be run on an uncertified course; and
certified courses may be associated with unsanctioned events.
Sanctioning is concerned with risk management and the safety of the
event. Course certification acknowledges that the course has been
accurately measured in accordance with international standards.
Sanctioning is valid for one year and is subject to yearly review and
re-application. A course certification is valid for 10 years (5 years for
IAAF/AIMS certifications), or until the course changes.
For more information on sanctioning your event, click here: www.bcathletics.org/main/sanctionbenefits.htm.
Why should I certify my course?
When participants enter a race advertised to be of a certain distance,
they have a reasonable expectation that the distance be accurate. The
certification program is very important to the average runner, as well as
those of exceptional speed. Most runners like to compare performances run
on different courses and such comparisons are very difficult if course
distances are not reliable. No one can establish a personal best if
courses are not accurate.
For any road-running performance to be accepted as a record, or be
included in national or provincial rankings, it must be run on a certified
course. The inclusion of performances in rankings can add to the prestige
of the event.
How do I get my course certified?
The easiest way is to have a qualified course measurer, who is familiar
with the measurement procedures, and has all the necessary equipment, take
care of it. Contact maurice.wilson@bcathletics.org,
or phone 604-333-3553 to find a course measurer in your area. A list of
active measurers in Canada can be found at: www.coursemeasurement.ca/
How much will it cost to certify my course?
Course measurers usually expect to be compensated for the time they
spend measuring a course. This usually includes reimbursement for out of
pocket expenses, and an honorarium for the work performed. And a
complimentary entry to your event is often appreciated. Contact the course
measurer for an estimate of the cost for a specific race.
In addition, there is a formal certification fee that offsets the costs
of certification. This fee is $25.00 per certificate. If your event
includes multiple race distances, you will require a certificate for each
distance. An additional $10.00 fee is required if a separate calibration
course is needed. New calibration courses are not usually required in most
major urban areas.
Once approved, the course certification is valid for 10 years (5 years
for IAAF/AIMS certifications), provided the course does not change at all.
How long will it take to measure and certify my course?
The actual measurement process can usually be done in a day (two for
longer or more complex courses). But time is also needed to analyze the
data, adjust the course if required, prepare the documentation including a
map of the course, and apply for the certificate.
Please allow at least 2 months in advance of your event to measure a
course. Most measurers have full time jobs, so need to schedule a
convenient time.
What do I need to do before my course can be certified?
Before seeking a measurement you should have a confirmed route for your
course (negotiated with the police and municipal authorities as necessary)
which you believe to be approximately the correct length. It is best to
measure the distance approximately from large-scale maps or using a GPS
unit or calibrated bicycle odometer. Measurement by a car odometer will
most likely be short by 5% or more and caution should be used with GPS
devices as, depending on signal strength, the error can be large. You
should consider what section of each road on the course will be open for
use by the runners on race day. If it is not the entire road width then
you must clearly state any restrictions. Include the exact route to be
taken at turns and the precautions that will be taken to prevent
corner-cutting.
Even with your attention to these details the measurer may need to
adjust your course to obtain the correct distance. To allow for this you
should consider in advance where extra distance may be added (or
subtracted): at the start, the finish, a turnaround or through a route
change along the course.
And, as a minimum, review the course with the measurer in advance and
be available for consultation on the day the measurement is done.
What should I do once my course has been certified?
Once your course has been certified, you will receive a certificate
with a course ID number. On your race entry forms and website, publish
this course certification ID, and include a link to this webpage to
provide additional information about what it means.
On race day, be sure to layout the course in accordance with the
certificate and map. If the course is not laid out exactly as measured,
the distance run will not be accurate, and times will be invalid for
record and ranking purposes. Be sure that lead vehicles, lead cyclists and
course marshalls are also familiar with the route.
Remember, the certificate expires after 10 years, at which time the
course will need to be re-certified.
Can I measure my course myself?
Yes, if you follow the process described in the Course Measurement
Procedures Manual, which can be found here http://www.coursemeasurement.ca/.
I measured my course using a GPS unit/Google Maps, is that good
enough?
No. In order for a course to be certified, it must be measured using
the Calibrated Bicycle Method and the Shortest Possible Route. This
produces a measurement that will ensure the distance run is at least the
advertised distance. The method, as with most certification processes, has
a margin of error. The margin of error is one metre per kilometre, an
accuracy that cannot be achieved by other methods.
Where can I learn more about course measurement?
The Athletics Canada / Run Canada Committee Road Race Course
Measurement website www.coursemeasurement.ca/
or contact Bernard Conway, Chief Certifier for Canada (measurer@rogers.com,
519-641-6889).
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